The "Pair and Set" clause in a Property insurance policy states which of the following?
A.
The insurer will only pay one-half of the insurance if one of a pair is destroyed or damaged.
B.
The insurer will not pay for loss of a pair of precious stones unless they are properly set in the amount containing them.
C.
Settlement of a loss with respect to an article which is part of a set, shall be based upon the basis that the entire set has been destroyed or damaged.
D.
Settlement of a loss with respect of an article which is part of a set, shall be based upon a reasonable proportion of the value of the set, but not the entire set.
The Pair and Set Clause is a standard provision in property insurance wordings designed to uphold the Principle of Indemnity. Indemnity ensures that an insured is returned to their pre-loss financial position, but not in a way that allows them to profit from the loss.
The clause explicitly addresses items that derive their value from being part of a matched pair (e.g., earrings) or a larger set (e.g., a set of silver cutlery). It states that the loss of one item in a pair or set does not constitute a "total loss" of the entire pair or set. Instead, the insurer will pay for a reasonable and fair proportion of the total value. For example, if one earring is lost from a $2,000 pair, the insurer will not automatically pay $2,000; they will assess the value of the remaining earring and pay the difference.
The RIBO Level 1 Blueprint expects brokers to explain this clause during Claims Services to manage client expectations. Many clients mistakenly believe (Option C) that the loss of one part entitles them to the replacement of the whole. A broker's technical Insurance Product Knowledge allows them to clarify that the policy only covers the actual "economic loss" sustained. This prevents disputes and ensures the broker is providing Consulting and Advising that is consistent with the standard policy wordings found in the Habitational and Commercial forms. Understanding this clause is also vital for Risk Assessment, as a broker might recommend a "Valued Contract" or specific floaters for high-value items where the "Pair and Set" limitation might be undesirable for the client.
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