In insurance terms, what does "indemnity" mean?

Indemnity in insurance is a fundamental principle that refers to the idea of restoring an insured party to their financial position prior to a loss. This concept underpins many insurance policies by ensuring that when a loss occurs, the insured receives compensation that helps mitigate the financial impact caused by that loss. The goal of indemnity is to prevent the insured from profiting from a loss, ensuring that they are made whole again without receiving more than what they originally had.

For example, if a person's home is damaged due to a covered event, the indemnity principle ensures that they receive a payout that allows them to repair or replace the damaged property to the state it was in before the incident occurred. This means providing the necessary funds to cover the costs without creating an opportunity for unjust enrichment.

Other options provided, while related to concepts in insurance, do not capture the essence of indemnity. Compensation for lost income is a subset of potential claims but does not define indemnity itself. Partial coverage of damages does not encompass the full restoration principle that indemnity promises. Limitations on claims pertain more to the terms and conditions of insurance contracts rather than the core definition of indemnity. Thus, the correct understanding of indemnity is that it focuses on the idea of restoring