What is the defining feature of a "Contract of Indemnity"?

A "Contract of Indemnity" is fundamentally designed to restore the insured party to the financial position they were in prior to a loss. This type of contract specifically allows for reimbursement only after an actual loss has occurred. The essence of indemnity contracts is that the compensation is contingent upon the event of a loss, thereby ensuring that the insurer compensates the insured for claims incurred rather than providing immediate payment or a fixed sum regardless of circumstances.

In this context, the defining feature is that the insured must first experience a loss before any reimbursement can take place, aligning with the principle that indemnity aims to prevent the insured from profiting from their insurance coverage. Other options refer to different principles that do not accurately represent this fundamental characteristic of indemnity contracts. Immediate reimbursement, fixed payment obligations, and reimbursement for unproven losses do not align with the core nature of indemnity, which focuses on actual losses and restoring the insured to their prior position.