Which of the following is an example of a peril?

A natural disaster is indeed an example of a peril. In the context of insurance and risk management, a peril refers to any event that can cause damage or loss that may be covered by an insurance policy. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires, represent specific types of perils that can lead to significant damages to property and life. The identification of these perils is crucial for underwriting, pricing of insurance products, and for developing appropriate coverage options.

While the other choices relate to aspects of finance or risk management, they do not qualify as perils. A financial investment pertains to a method of allocating resources in hopes of generating a return, an insurance contract is an agreement outlining the coverage between insurer and insured, and a risk management strategy involves techniques to mitigate potential risks. None of these directly refers to an event that can cause damage or loss, which is the defining characteristic of a peril.