Which of the following is an example of when a person acquires an insurable interest?

Insurable interest

Produced in partnership with Dr Franziska Arnold-Dwyer of Centre for Commercial Law Studies at Queen Mary University of London

The following Insurance & Reinsurance practice note produced in partnership with Dr Franziska Arnold-Dwyer of Centre for Commercial Law Studies at Queen Mary University of London provides comprehensive and up to date legal information covering:

  • Insurable interest
  • What is insurable interest?
  • Insurable interest—marine insurance
  • Legal basis
  • Definition
  • Timing
  • Consequences of absence of insurable interest
  • Insurable interest—property insurance
  • Legal basis
  • Definition
  • More...

This Practice Note considers insurable interest, including insurable interest in construction and liability insurance. It also considers insurable interest in subrogation, co-insurance and double insurance and the Insurable Interest Bill.

What is insurable interest?

‘Insurable interest’ refers to a doctrine of insurance contract law that requires the insured to have a relationship with the insured subject-matter that is recognised by law. Broadly speaking, only persons who have some relation to the subject-matter of the insurance contract, by reason of which they would be prejudiced by its loss, or may incur liability in respect thereof, can insure that subject-matter. Conversely, a person who has no such relationship cannot take out insurance on that subject-matter. The burden rests on the insured to prove an insurable interest exists.

The historic rationales for requiring an insurable interest are that:

  1. it is characteristic of an insurable interest that distinguishes an insurance contract from wagering contracts (the ‘anti-wagering rationale’)

  2. an insurable interest is thought to reduce the moral hazard posed by the insured taking deliberate steps to destroy the insured subject-matter to benefit from a claims payment (the ‘moral hazard rationale’) and

  3. the doctrine of insurable interest supports the indemnity principle which rests upon the policy that claims payments should be limited to an indemnity for the insured’s loss

The anti-wagering rationale remains of great significance in the context of differentiating between insurance contracts

Which of the following is an example of when a person acquires an insurable interest?

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What is insurable interest?

Insurable interest is a financial stake in any person, event, or property that may incur a monetary loss. An entity or person is said to possess an insurable interest when the destruction, loss, theft, or damage of the property, person, or event could result in a monetary loss or another type of hardship for that entity or person. In most cases, insurance policies cannot be legally issued to a person or entity without an insurable interest in the property, person, or event being insured. Persons or entities who will not experience a monetary loss or other hardship if the person, event, or property is damaged, lost, or destroyed are usually barred from purchasing insurance policies for that property.


Learn more about insurable interest

When do I need to be aware of insurable interest?

You need to be aware of insurable interest whenever you are attempting to purchase insurance. For example, you can usually purchase homeowners insurance for a home that you own, because you would be financially damaged if the home were destroyed or damaged. However, you usually cannot purchase homeowner's insurance to cover a home that you rent, because you lack an insurable interest in that home.

What is important to know about insurable interest?

Insurable interest is a fundamental concept that makes insurance policies possible. Insurable interest is an important component of insurance policies for several reasons:

  • It decreases the chances of insurance policies creating a moral hazard by preventing persons or entities from profiting by insuring properties that they do not have a financial stake in. 
  • Insurable interest is a key component of the principle of indemnification, which holds that policyholders should be restored to their pre-loss condition, rather than rewarded or penalized through insurance proceeds. 
  • To protect an insurable interest, the person with the interest must purchase an applicable insurance policy. 

What are some examples of insurable interest?

Insurable interest examples.
Yourself..
Your spouse or former spouse..
Your children or grandchildren..
A special needs adult child..
An aging parent(s).
An employer (under certain arrangements).

Which of the following has an insurable interest?

A person or entity has an insurable interest in an item, event, or action when the damage or loss of the object would cause a financial loss or other hardships. To have an insurable interest a person or entity would take out an insurance policy protecting the person, item, or event in question.

What is an insurable interest quizlet?

Insurable Interest. The legal right to insure arising out of a financial relationship recognized at law, between the insured and the subject-matter of insurance. Features. Subject-matter, legal relationship and financial value.

Which of the following is not an example of insurable interest?

Which of the following is NOT an example of insurable interest? Premium receipt.