What is defined as an unbroken, natural and continuous sequence that produced injury and without which the result would not have occurred?

Proximate cause is a legal concept that establishes a direct link between an individual's actions and the resulting injury or damage. It refers specifically to a primary cause that is strong enough to result in an event and is closely connected to the outcome of that event. In legal terms, for a person to be held liable for damages, it must be shown that their actions were the proximate cause of the injury, meaning that the injury would not have occurred "but for" those actions.

Understanding proximate cause is crucial in personal lines insurance because it helps to determine liability and eligibility for coverage. For instance, if a homeowner neglects to repair a leaky roof and, as a result, their home suffers extensive water damage, the failure to repair is the proximate cause of the damage. Thus, insurance underwriters and adjusters must assess whether the actions leading to a claim fit within the definition of proximate cause to determine if a loss is covered.

Negligence refers to the failure to exercise a standard of care that a reasonable person would in similar circumstances but does not define the sequence of events leading to injury. Cause and effect is a more general term that describes a relationship between two events but lacks the legal specificity required in insurance scenarios. Intentional