Acts of Nature explained

Read the fine print as you might need to take out extra cover.

An "Act of Nature" can affect your short-term insurance and therefore you have to know what it is, why it matters and how to ensure that you are prepared for it. It has a very specific and practical meaning and understanding what constitutes an Act of Nature is crucial for any policy holder.

In simple terms an Act of Nature refers to natural events beyond human control that could not have been prevented by any amount of foresight or care. These events typically include natural disasters such as hail, storms, snow, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and other severe weather conditions.

Hannes Smith, CEO of iWYZE, says the key characteristic of an Act of Nature is that it is unpredictable and unpreventable.

Insurance policies often use this term to specify the types of natural disasters that are covered or excluded.