In insurance terminology, an "act of God" refers specifically to natural events that occur without human intervention and that are beyond human control. These events typically include occurrences such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other severe weather phenomena. The primary reason for classifying these events as "acts of God" is that they are unpredictable and cannot be prevented by human action or decision-making.
Such events are often addressed in insurance policies, which may specify the types of damages covered under this category. For instance, coverage for certain natural disasters may differ from that of man-made incidents, influencing how claims are handled in the wake of such events. Understanding this classification is crucial for both policyholders and adjusters, as it affects risk assessment and claim evaluations.
On the other hand, human-induced disasters, man-made accidents, or routine maintenance failures involve either direct human action or negligence, which do not qualify as "acts of God." Instead, these situations are typically mitigated through insurance policies that include liability coverage or specific exclusions, indicating that different circumstances dictate how claims will be processed.