McCrystal Insurance Brokers Issue 5 | Page 24

The Act Of God! What Is an Act Of God? An act of God describes an event outside of human control or activity. It’s usually a natural disaster, such as a flood or an earthquake. A policy usually specifies which particular acts of God it covers. In business, the phrase “act of God” is not associated with any particular religion or belief system. Contractual language referring to acts of God is known as force majeure clauses, which are often used by insurance companies. These clauses typically limit or remove liability for injuries, damages, and losses caused by acts of God. KEY TAKEAWAYS • An act of God is an uncontrollable event, such as severe storms, not caused nor controlled by humans.. • Acts of God do not absolve people from a duty to exercise reasonable care. • Policyholders should review their policy for coverages and exclusions pertaining to acts of God.