Intentional Tort

What Does Intentional Tort Mean?

An intentional tort is a deliberate action or omission that results in financial harm, injury, or damage to another party’s property. In the context of insurance, liability insurance can protect individuals and companies from the financial consequences of intentional torts. Without liability insurance, the damages caused by such torts could lead to significant financial hardship. Business owners often carry general liability insurance for this reason, since it covers legal defense costs and damages when a third party files a claim against the business.

Insuranceopedia Explains Intentional Tort

Intentional torts differ from unintentional torts in that the responsible party intentionally causes harm, whereas in unintentional torts, harm occurs by accident, without intent. Examples of intentional torts include defamation of character, fraud, and invasion of privacy. A person can be held liable for damages resulting from an intentional tort, even if the harm caused was unintended. For instance, if someone intentionally frightens another person with a serious heart condition, causing them to suffer a heart attack, the person who caused the distress could be held liable for the resulting injury. Licensed professionals often add professional liability insurance on top of that, since claims of fraud or misrepresentation often arise out of work performed for clients.