What term refers to a specific cause of loss in an insurance policy?

The term that refers to a specific cause of loss in an insurance policy is "peril." In the context of insurance, a peril is an event that can cause damage or destruction to insured property or can result in a liability claim. For example, common perils can include fire, theft, windstorm, or vandalism. Insurance policies are designed to provide coverage for certain perils, and they specify which perils are covered under the terms of the policy.

Other terms, while related to the field of insurance, do not specifically refer to causes of loss. "Occurrence," for instance, usually refers to an event that results in a claim, which may involve multiple perils but is not limited to defining a specific cause. "Contingency" generally refers to an event that may or may not happen, without tying directly to the concept of loss within insurance policies. "Risk" describes the potential for loss or damage but is a broader term that encompasses the idea of perils within its definition.