Which phrase best describes proximate cause?

Proximate cause is best described as the principle that defines a clear, unbroken chain of events leading to a loss. In the context of insurance, it highlights the direct connection between an event and the resulting damage or loss. This means that for an insurance claim to be valid, there must be a demonstrable link where the initial event directly causes the subsequent losses.

Understanding proximate cause is crucial for determining liability and ensuring that claims are processed accurately. It emphasizes that not just any event can result in a claim; there must be a significant and direct cause-effect relationship between the event and the outcome.

The other phrases do not capture this essential concept: the first event or the final event in a series of losses does not necessarily indicate a direct cause for the loss, while referring to something as negligible undermines the critical role that proximate cause plays in the claims process. Therefore, recognizing it as an unbroken chain of events provides a clear framework for understanding and analyzing causation in insurance claims.