Insured peril
A specific cause of loss or damage that a policy explicitly covers. A claim is only paid if the damage was caused by a peril listed in the policy. Perils not listed — or perils explicitly excluded — are not covered.
Named perils vs open perils (all risks)
Insurance policies use one of two approaches to defining what causes of loss are covered:
Named perils
The policy lists specific causes of loss that are covered. If the cause of your loss is not on the list, the claim is not covered — even if it was not explicitly excluded. Most standard UK home insurance policies work this way.
Example: "This policy covers loss or damage caused by fire, lightning, explosion, earthquake, storm, flood, escape of water, theft..."
Open perils (all risks)
The policy covers any cause of loss that is not explicitly excluded. The default is cover; exclusions narrow it down. Broader protection, but the exclusions still require careful reading. Common for high-value personal possessions.
Example: "This policy covers accidental loss or damage to insured items unless caused by [listed exclusions]."
Common insured perils in UK property insurance
- Fire and explosion: Damage from fire, including fire caused by lightning. Smouldering or scorching without flame may be excluded on some policies.
- Storm: Wind, rain, hail, snow, or ice of a severity considered exceptional. Gradual wear caused by weather is not storm damage.
- Flood: External water ingress from rivers, sea, or surface water. Distinct from escape of water (internal). See our flood insurance guide.
- Escape of water: Damage caused by water leaking or bursting from internal pipes, tanks, or appliances.
- Subsidence: Ground movement under the property causing structural damage. Usually subject to a higher excess (often £1,000).
- Theft: Typically requires forcible and violent entry for buildings claims. Contents theft may cover items inside a locked car (subject to limits).
Insured peril FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Standard UK home insurance policies typically include these perils: fire and explosion, lightning, earthquake, storm and flood, escape of water (burst pipes), theft and attempted theft, subsidence, falling trees or aerials, riot, accidental damage to underground pipes and cables (sometimes). Accidental damage by the policyholder is usually an optional extension rather than a standard peril. See exclusions explained for what is typically NOT covered.
- Named perils (also called specified perils) policies only cover causes of loss that are explicitly listed. All-risks (or open perils) cover covers any cause of loss that is not explicitly excluded — the default is cover, with exclusions narrowing it down. All-risks is broader; named perils is more restrictive. Home insurance in the UK is typically named perils; some high-value personal possessions policies are all-risks. See our named perils glossary entry.
- This situation — where a loss has multiple contributing causes — is governed by the concept of proximate cause. Insurers look for the dominant (proximate) cause. If the primary cause was an insured peril and a secondary cause was excluded, the claim may still be paid. If the primary cause was an excluded peril, the claim may be declined even if an insured peril was also involved. This is a complex area and a source of many disputed claims. See the five parts of every policy for how cover, exclusions, and conditions interact.