Which hazard denotes a lack of due care in safeguarding against loss?

The correct answer is morale hazard, which refers to a situation where an individual’s behavior and attitude toward risk change based on their insurance coverage. Specifically, it denotes an individual's lack of due care in safeguarding against loss primarily because they feel a sense of security granted by their insurance policy. When individuals know they are insured, they may become less vigilant in preventing losses or damages, leading to potentially higher risks.

In the context of insurance, morale hazards emerge because the insured may take more risks or neglect safety precautions knowing that their insurance will cover any resultant loss. This behavior can manifest in various ways, such as not securing a property properly, being careless with personal belongings, or ignoring standard safety practices because the potential loss is mitigated by insurance.

Understanding morale hazard is crucial for insurers as they assess the potential risks associated with underwriting policies, and it plays a role in determining premiums and coverage options.

The other types of hazards mentioned have different meanings; moral hazards involve ethical decisions influencing behavior related to claims, physical hazards refer to actual physical conditions that can result in loss, and environmental hazards pertain to external factors that can lead to loss or damage. Each of these is important in their own context, but it is the morale hazard that specifically addresses the lack of