# Acts of God in Warranties **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 24, 2005, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881 "2005-04-24T18:11:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DuhCow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b38774/32.png) [@DuhCow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DuhCow)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/1 "2005-04-24T18:11:18Z")
I was reading the Sony PSP warranty and saw that “This warranty shall not apply if this product…is damaged by acts of God, misuse, abuse…” Why do they include “acts of God” in there and many other warranties? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/2 "2005-04-24T18:13:37Z")
So they won’t be held liable in case of an earthquake or tornado damage. It’s not their fault. ---
**Author:** ![Catalyst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@Catalyst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catalyst)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/3 "2005-04-24T18:19:11Z")
I imagine it’s easier than listing every possible natural disaster and uncontrollable event that might void the warranty. ---
**Author:** ![Eurograff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Eurograff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eurograff)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2005, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/4 "2005-04-24T18:27:24Z")
It is also possible to use phrasing such as “act of nature”, “natural disaster” or “natural phenomenon” instead of mentioning any gods here. Broader definition is _force majeure_ (greater force) which covers both natural disasters and occasions like war, riots etc. Of course that can be a little too unspecific, but I figure it’d be enough when stating a warranty. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/5 "2005-04-25T13:41:38Z")
Couldn’t an insurance company get out of paying _anything_ with the “Act of God” clause? “My house burned down because the eletrician installed the wiring wrong.” “That was God punishing you for your evil ways! _Next!_” ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/6 "2005-04-25T13:46:50Z")
Well, [answers.com](http://answers.com) has this definition: > [@](#): > > An unforeseen and uncontrollable natural event, such as a hurricane, fire, or flood. For example, The publisher shall publish the work within twelve months except in case of delay caused by acts of God such as fires or floods or other circumstances beyond its control. It most often appears in legal contracts, where it is used to indemnify one party against a disaster that prevents it from carrying out the contract’s terms. [Mid-1800s] I remember another thread where someone remarked that the whole September 11th deal, from the perspective of an insurance company, is an “act of god”. \<1\> [http://www.answers.com/topic/act-of-god](http://www.answers.com/topic/act-of-god) ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/7 "2005-04-25T15:49:17Z")
Sounds like archaic terminology to me. Arthur Train in his book _The Autobiography of Epraihm Tutt_ gave the answer that a law professor gave him whan asked, “What is an Act of God.” “Something unpleasant that you can’t do anything about.” ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/8 "2005-04-25T20:49:01Z")
“Your Honor, Sony Corporation should have built their popular Playsation 2 console in a fashion able to withstand the heat of _liquid hot magg-mah_ from a typical volcanic eruption. This callous penny-pinching points to Sony’s continued policy of intentionally neglecting even basic durability standards.” ---
**Author:** ![andrewdt85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71e660/32.png) [@andrewdt85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewdt85)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/9 "2005-04-26T03:24:00Z")
I remember reading that on a tag for a tent that I bought for one of my first camping trips. I love that phrase, even though I agree how outdated and offensive it is. The image in my mind back then was of me being struck by lightning that weekend by the Lord for my sinful ways. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Cynical\_Optimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Cynical\_Optimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cynical_Optimist)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/10 "2005-04-26T12:16:20Z")
_I’m sorry sir, this was an act of Ghod, it’s not covered by the warranty._ Ghod you say? Like hell it was. That accursed thing is the work of the Devil, I tell you. Gimme a new one! ---
**Author:** ![St\_Ides](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@St\_Ides](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St_Ides)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/11 "2005-04-26T20:20:10Z")
I have a Pelican (I think) case for my digital camera… Either way, it’s a rediculously strong, and waterproof case. It’s warranteed against everything except “Shark bites and Children under 5” I consider those acts of God. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/12 "2005-04-26T20:32:05Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Couldn’t an insurance company get out of paying _anything_ with the “Act of God” clause? > > “My house burned down because the eletrician installed the wiring wrong.” > > “That was God punishing you for your evil ways! _Next!_” I remember reading a book by Ben Bova (I can’t recall the title) where a natural disaster damages Ecuador’s space program and the insurance company won’t pay since it’s an “act of god”. So Ecuador sues Vatican City in the World Court (since the Pope claims to be the Vicar of Christ), and demands damages. Also for some reason the court proceedings take place at a moonbase. Anybody know what book this it? ---
**Author:** ![Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spatial_Rift_47)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/13 "2005-04-26T21:03:36Z")
I don’t know the name of that book, but it sounds really funny and now I want to read it. Also, if a dispute over an Act of God ever came up in court, wouldn’t the claimant win by default, since God isn’t likely to respond to a subpoena? ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/14 "2005-04-26T22:52:21Z")
> [@St\_Ides](#): > > I have a Pelican (I think) case for my digital camera… Either way, it’s a rediculously strong, and waterproof case. > > It’s warranteed against everything except “Shark bites and Children under 5” > > I consider those acts of God. Actually you need to go back and look closer at that warrantee. My first Pelican case was warranteed against everything except falling space debris, shark bite and children under the age of 5. Either you mis-read the label, or like everything else, Pelican’s warrantee has gone to hell. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jimpatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@jimpatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimpatro)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/15 "2005-04-27T00:11:00Z")
Seems like if a manufacturer declined to honor a warranty due to this, I’d just have to ask them to prove there is a god. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/16 "2005-04-27T00:56:24Z")
> [@Spatial Rift 47](#): > > Also, if a dispute over an Act of God ever came up in court, wouldn’t the claimant win by default, since God isn’t likely to respond to a subpoena? Perhaps. But due to the difficulty involved in collecting damages, it would likely be an empty triumph. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/17 "2005-04-27T01:05:45Z")
> [@iamthewalrus(:3=](#): > > Perhaps. But due to the difficulty involved in collecting damages, it would likely be an empty triumph. You could always try suing churchs! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acts-of-god-in-warranties/300881/18 "2005-04-27T03:24:44Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Couldn’t an insurance company get out of paying _anything_ with the “Act of God” clause? [They will try.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=2699541&#post2699541)