The chance of loss without any possibility for gain is known as a/an?

The situation described, where there is a chance of loss without any possibility for gain, aligns with the definition of pure risk. Pure risk involves scenarios that can only result in a loss or no change; there are no opportunities for profit or gain. This is typically associated with events such as death, illness, or natural disasters—situations where the outcome can only be negative or neutral.

In contrast, speculative risk involves the potential for both gain and loss, making it a very different category of risk. Insurable interest refers to the requirement that individuals have a stake in the insured item, which is not directly related to the nature of risk being measured as pure or speculative. Uninsurable risk describes risks that insurance companies will not cover, which can often involve hard-to-predict events or high uncertainty.

Thus, the term that accurately reflects the idea of a risk that includes only the chance of loss without any possibility for gain is pure risk.