In terms of coverage, what does "property damage" generally refer to?

"Property damage" generally refers to the physical damage to insured property. This term encompasses any harm that occurs to real property or personal property covered under an insurance policy, which could happen due to various risks such as fire, theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.

When discussing coverage in insurance policies, it is essential to understand that property damage is specifically concerned with tangible harm that affects the integrity or usability of property. This is pivotal because insurance aims to restore or replace the damaged property, ensuring financial protection and support for the policyholder.

Other options may address aspects of loss related to property but do not accurately define "property damage" in the context of insurance coverage. For instance, theft of personal belongings addresses a specific type of loss rather than physical damage, and liability incurred by the homeowner differs as it pertains to legal responsibilities rather than direct physical damage to the property. Similarly, loss of market value due to depreciation focuses on valuation rather than the condition or state of physical property, which is not covered under property damage definition in insurance terms.