What does an insurance contract indemnify the insured against?

An insurance contract is designed to indemnify the insured against loss resulting from future accidental events, which aligns with the nature of most insurance policies. Indemnification refers to the insurer's obligation to restore the insured to their financial position prior to the loss, provided the loss is due to an insured peril.

Insurance is based on the principle of risk management, focusing particularly on unforeseen events that could result in financial loss. Policies are typically structured to cover specific risks that are typically unintentional and outside the control of the insured. This means that the coverage applies to accidents or unexpected incidents, which may include events like theft, natural disasters, or injuries.

The focus on future accidental events highlights the importance of recognizing that insurance is not intended to cover every conceivable possibility or intentional acts that a policyholder might engage in.