What is the main goal of the principle of indemnity?

The principle of indemnity primarily aims to ensure that the policyholder is compensated for their actual loss without allowing them to profit from the insurance claim. This concept is rooted in the idea that insurance should restore the insured to the same financial position they were in prior to the loss, rather than providing a financial windfall.

By adhering to this principle, indemnity prevents moral hazard, where individuals might take unnecessary risks or suffer losses deliberately, knowing they would be compensated beyond their actual loss. Thus, the principle reinforces the fairness of the insurance system, ensuring that it serves its intended purpose as a risk management tool rather than a source of profit.

Understanding the principle of indemnity is central to grasping the function of insurance and the relationship between insurers and policyholders. The other options, while related to aspects of insurance, do not capture the essence of what indemnity stands for within the context of insurance contracts.