When property is lost to another through violence or the threat of violence, what is this termed in insurance?

When property is lost to another through violence or the threat of violence, it is termed robbery in insurance. This term specifically refers to the act of taking property from a person or an entity by force, intimidation, or threat, which distinguishes it from other forms of theft.

Robbery involves a direct confrontation between the perpetrator and the victim, where intimidation or the actual use of violence is present. This is critical in establishing the difference between robbery and other related terms. While theft can refer to the broad act of taking someone's property without their consent, and burglary indicates unlawful entry into a building with the intent to commit a crime, robbery is unique because of the threat or actual use of force involved.

Understanding this distinction is crucial in the insurance context, as it affects how claims are classified and processed. Insurers assess risks associated with robbery differently than they do for other theft-related crimes, reflecting the greater level of danger and potential harm involved.