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

Highly visible form of marketing communication with the public with these objectives: (1) encourage agents and brokers to sell insurance company products, (2) predispose customers to be ...

Ceiling on expense reimbursement allowance, as stated in New York insurance law, that an insurance company licensed in New York State can give its agents. This is one reason why a company ...

Buildup of policy cash value, as distinguished from the death benefit. A policyholder has a choice between surrendering the policy for its cash surrender value or keeping it in force for ...

Buy-sell agreements found in partnerships, sole proprietorships, and close corporations. Either the business entity or the surviving members of the business agree to buy out the interest of ...

Part of an ocean marine policy that provides coverage of goods through all of the stages of a journey. Coverage begins when goods leave the warehouse of a shipper, and continues until they ...

Coverage provided on an all risks basis for an exhibitor whose product, while being displayed at a public exhibition, is damaged or destroyed by a peril that is not specifically excluded in ...

Qualified pension or other employee benefit where responsibility rests with an employer rather than an insurer. A trust fund plan, where assets are deposited with and invested by a trustee, ...

Method of determining whether or not coverage is available for a specific claim. If a claim arises out of an event during the period when a policy is in force, the insurance company is ...

Coverage in the event an employee is kidnapped from an insured business's premises and forced to return to aid a criminal in a theft. ...

Popular Insurance Questions