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Life & Health · Chapter 2 · Perils, Losses & Hazards

Named (Specified) vs Open (Special) Perils

Definition
Named/specified perils: the policy LISTS what it covers — anything not listed is NOT covered. Open/special perils: the policy covers ALL direct causes of loss EXCEPT those it explicitly excludes.
Example
A cancer-only health policy = named peril. Comprehensive medical or standard life insurance = open peril (pays unless the cause is excluded).
Easy to confuse with

These are what this term gets tested against — if you can't tell them apart cold, drill the contrast.

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Verified against primary sources · 2026-08-10