What does California's effective proximate cause doctrine stipulate?

The effective proximate cause doctrine in California establishes that for a claim to be valid, the predominant cause of the loss must be a covered peril. This means that the insurer will analyze the events leading to the loss to determine which cause was the most significant or predominant factor contributing to the damage or loss incurred. If this predominant cause aligns with a peril specified in the insurance policy, the claim is likely to be honored.

This principle applies especially in complex situations where multiple causes may have contributed to the loss, but insurance coverage is often only triggered by those causes that are explicitly stated in the policy. Therefore, understanding the predominant cause is crucial for validating claims under this doctrine.