What is always true about the proximate cause of a loss?

The dominant cause of a loss is what defines the proximate cause in insurance. Proximate cause refers to the primary event that set in motion a chain of events leading to the loss or damage. In the context of insurance, understanding proximate cause is critical as it helps determine the coverage and compensation for claims.

For instance, in the case of a fire that leads to water damage from firefighting efforts, the proximate cause would be the fire itself, as it is the dominant reason for the subsequent damage. This concept ensures that insurers and insured parties can clearly identify which losses are directly attributable to covered events. Recognizing which cause is dominant helps streamline claims processes and clarifies risk assessments in underwriting insurance policies.

The other options do not accurately reflect the nature of proximate cause, as defining it by the first, last, or only cause would overlook the broader understanding of varying events that may contribute to a loss, thus failing to capture the complexity inherent in many loss scenarios.