Which of the following can be defined as a cause of a loss?

The term "peril" is correctly identified as a cause of a loss in the context of insurance and risk management. Peril refers to specific events or situations that can cause damage or loss, such as fire, theft, or flood. Essentially, perils are the direct causes of loss that policies typically protect against. Understanding this concept is fundamental to grasping how insurance works, as policies often outline covered perils explicitly.

Risk, while related to the potential for loss, represents the uncertainty of a loss occurring and is not a direct cause itself. Hazard refers to conditions that increase the likelihood of a peril happening, such as poorly maintained electrical wiring that may increase the risk of fire. Adversity refers more to misfortune and is not a technical term used in the context of causes of loss in insurance. Therefore, focusing on the definition of peril helps clarify its critical role as an identifiable cause of loss covered by insurance policies.