What is the main factor that distinguishes pure risk from speculative risk?

The main factor that distinguishes pure risk from speculative risk is the potential for financial gain. Pure risk involves scenarios where there is a chance of loss or no loss, but not a chance for financial gain. Examples include risks like natural disasters, theft, or health-related issues—events where the outcomes are typically limited to either losing something or maintaining the status quo.

On the other hand, speculative risk includes situations where there is a chance for either gain or loss, such as investing in stocks or starting a business. The potential for profit in speculative ventures is what makes them distinct from pure risks, which are generally insurable since they involve straightforward losses.

Other options relate more to the practical applications or logistics of insurance rather than the fundamental definitions of risk types. The scope of insurance coverage, amount of premiums collected, and type of insurance offered do not alter the nature of the risk itself but rather reflect how risks are managed or financed. Thus, identifying the potential for financial gain as the differentiating factor provides clarity on the nature of each risk.