Which of the following would be classified as a "peril"?

A tree falling on a house is classified as a "peril" because it represents a specific risk or cause of loss that could result in damage to property. In insurance terminology, a peril is an event that can cause a financial loss. When you have homeowners insurance, for example, perils are the various risks that the policy covers, such as fire, theft, or wind damage. In the scenario given, the falling tree directly threatens the property's integrity, thereby exemplifying a peril that insurance is meant to protect against.

The high insurance premiums would refer to the cost of insurance coverage but do not represent a risk or cause of loss. A policyholder's claim is a request for compensation following a loss and is not a peril itself. Similarly, a financial loss is a result of various perils affecting the insured property but does not classify as a peril in its own right. Understanding the distinction between a peril and other concepts in insurance is essential for grasping how coverage works.