Definition of "Open Perils Policy"

Ann Costigan real estate agent

Written by

Ann Costiganelite badge icon

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hudson Valley Properties

The open perils policy is the counterpart to the named perils policy. In it, any peril NOT mentioned is covered by the policy.

Here's an example: let's say you got an open perils policy homeowner's insurance and it lists volcanoes eruptions and floods. If there was a fire or if a hurricane sent a tree through your window (and, why not, it provoked a fire afterward), your damages will be me covered and your house repaired by the insurance company. Now, if a volcano erupted and lava burned your house to the ground or a flood damaged the whole electrical circuit... sorry, no deal. You're on your own.

So, basically, if the insurance company cannot prove that whatever happened to your house was listed as an exclusion, they will have to afford the repair or replacement of it.

This is usually done in areas where it is just highly probable for specific damages to happen. So, you will most likely find open peril listing volcanoes on Hawaii than in Florida, because, what's the point?

 

Real Estate Tips:

Don't let yourself open to unfortunate events: know your lingo by searching our Real Estate Glossary!

Search as you want and then find a real estate agent to serve you!

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Combination of contributions of many investors whose money is used to buy stocks, bonds, commodities, options, and/or money market funds, or precious metals such as gold, or foreign ...

Choice of beneficiary in which the death benefit of a life insurance policy is retained by the company to be paid as a series of installments of fixed dollar amounts per installment until ...

Type of insurance providing all risks coverage for personal property of the crew and passengers aboard a ship. Marine cargo insurance does not cover personal property of the crew and ...

Model act written and published by the national association of insurance commissioners (naic) whose purpose it is to regulate brokers who control insurance companies. The act permits the ...

Same as term Contingency reserve: percentage of total surplus retained, in insurance company operations, that serves as a reserve to cover unexpected losses as well as to cover the ...

Court-appointed or commissioner of insurance-appointed custodian to manage the affairs of an insurance company whose management is deemed unable to manage that company in a proper fashion. ...

Method of classifying risks to establish equitable rates. In many property and liability insurance lines, the location of an insured has a significant impact on the loss experience. For ...

Losses representing claims paid. ...

Agreement concerning an insured individual, not the insured's property. A property and casualty insurance contract cannot be assigned, since it follows the insured, not the property. For ...

Popular Insurance Questions