What distinguishes aleatory contracts from other types of contracts?

Aleatory contracts are characterized by their nature of involving unequal amounts exchanged between the parties, which is a fundamental aspect that sets them apart from other types of contracts. This typical format is most commonly seen in insurance agreements, where one party pays a premium and the other party provides coverage only if an uncertain event occurs. The outcomes of these contracts are based on chance, creating a situation where one party may receive significantly more value than they paid for, depending on the occurrence of the event.

The concept of risk and uncertainty is integral to aleatory contracts, making them distinct from typical contractual agreements, where parties generally make equal exchanges. In other types of contracts, both parties typically have an equal exchange of value, which is not the case in aleatory contracts. The focus on unequal exchanges highlights the uncertainty of the obligation that comes to fruition based on external events, which is the essence of this type of contract.