Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyPerils and Hazards

An underwriter is reviewing a property insurance application for a restaurant. The inspection report notes that the commercial kitchen lacks an automatic fire extinguishing system above the deep fryers. In insurance terminology, how is the absence of this fire extinguishing system classified?

  1. A
    A moral hazard, because failing to install the system demonstrates an attitude of carelessness and indifference to loss.
  2. A physical hazard, because it is a tangible condition of the property that increases the potential severity of a fire loss.Answer
  3. C
    A peril, because the lack of an extinguishing system is the direct and active cause of a kitchen fire.
  4. D
    A morale hazard, because it represents a deliberate intention to defraud the insurance company to collect a claim.

Answer

A physical hazard, because it is a tangible condition of the property that increases the potential severity of a fire loss.
The absence of a fire extinguishing system is a physical, tangible condition of the property that increases the severity of a potential loss. It does not cause the fire itself (which would be a peril), but rather creates an environment where a fire can cause maximum damage. Therefore, it perfectly defines a physical hazard.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the core subject of the scenario.
The scenario focuses on the absence of an automatic fire extinguishing system in a commercial kitchen.
Isolating the key element helps determine its proper classification.
2
Determine if the element is an active cause of loss or a condition that increases risk.
The absence of the system does not cause a fire to start; it only makes the fire worse if one occurs.
This distinction eliminates 'peril' as a possibility, since perils are the direct causes of loss.
3
Classify the specific type of hazard.
A missing piece of safety equipment is a tangible, physical characteristic of the property, not a behavioral or character trait of the insured person.
This confirms it is a physical hazard rather than a moral or morale hazard.

Key Concept

Hazards vs. Perils and Hazard Types
Rate this question

Topics

Perils and Hazards

More questions from this topic