What is the legal term for the intentional withholding of pertinent information?

The legal term for the intentional withholding of pertinent information is concealment. This concept arises primarily in insurance and contract law, where a party is required to disclose information that could affect the other party's decision-making. Failure to disclose such information, with the intent to mislead or deprive the other party of that knowledge, constitutes concealment.

In insurance contexts, for example, if an applicant fails to reveal a pre-existing condition when applying for coverage, they may be guilty of concealment, as this crucial information could influence the insurer's decision to provide coverage or set premiums. By understanding concealment, individuals can better grasp the obligations they have to disclose relevant facts in contracts and the potential legal implications of failing to do so. This distinction helps clarify why it is treated as a separate and significant issue in legal disputes.