What defines an accident in insurance terms?

In insurance terms, an accident is defined as an unexpected event causing harm. This definition captures the essence of what an accident entails within the context of insurance policies. It emphasizes that the event is not planned or anticipated, which is critical for it to be covered under most insurance contracts.

When an event is classified as "unexpected," it indicates that the resulting damage or injury was not foreseeable by the parties involved, justifying the need for insurance protection. Accidents are typically associated with unforeseen incidents, such as car crashes, slips and falls, or other incidents that result in bodily injury or property damage without intention.

The other options present scenarios that do not align with this definition. An intentional act resulting in damage implies purpose and planning, which would typically fall outside the classification of an accident. A planned event with known outcomes is contrary to the nature of accidents—a hallmark of them is their unplanned nature. Lastly, while negligence can indeed lead to an accident, not all accidents arise from negligence, and thus focusing solely on negligence would neglect the broader scope of what constitutes an accident in insurance contexts.