Act of God
These are events which take place due to natural causes—storms, earthquake, tornado’s, flooding, lightning, tsunami’s, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, can all be classified as “acts of God.” The events take place autonomously, without any form of any human interference. These events are the result of natural forces and therefore cannot be blamed on any human being as a fault.
Acts of God are also classified as things that social science simply cannot predict; a force of nature.
One can obtain insurance cover against “Acts of God.” These events are usually clearly excluded in insurance policies and one needs to pay additional cover. Sometimes “acts of God” are included in comprehensive, all-risk coverage but not in general insurance.
There is often a misconception about acts of God when it comes to personal injury and property damage; the assumption is that injury or damage resulting from an act of God carries no liability. Sometimes the underlying cause is negligence. A house built with such substandard material that it cannot withstand a typical storm will not safeguard the builder from liability. Consult with a lawyer in such instances.
It is advisable to check if your insurance includes “Acts of God”, remember this for any travel insurance.