Act Of God

Updated: 10 January 2025

What Does Act Of God Mean?

An act of God refers to an uncontrollable natural event that causes significant damage, such as lightning, floods, or tornadoes. Many insurance policies exclude coverage for acts of God. However, the specific natural forces classified as acts of God can vary between policies.

Policyholders can purchase riders to extend their property insurance coverage to include certain acts of God.

An act of God is also sometimes called an act of nature.

Insuranceopedia Explains Act Of God

Acts of God are often excluded from standard property insurance policies because they exceed the scope of what is considered a “standard risk” for insurance companies. For instance, an earthquake could destroy an entire house in an instant, far surpassing the typical risks associated with normal wear and tear.

Since acts of God can and do occur, many people opt to purchase additional insurance coverage to protect against specific events.

Synonyms


Act of Nature

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