Squirrely Building Damage Claim
A squirrel entered a community center building that had just undergone a $2 million renovation. It either gnawed some wiring or otherwise came in contact with the electrical system, causing…
Personal Lines
Are ‘Mudslides’ Covered by HO or Flood Policies?
We are all aware of the human tragedy involved in the landslide which buried homes in Darrington, Washington in March 2014. From the perspective of our industry, the first question…
Wear and Tear and the HO Policy
An insured’s party guest wore spiked high heels that left major dents in his home’s hardwood floors. The adjuster has denied the damage, citing the “marring” and “wear and tear”…
Does the HO ‘Neglect’ Exclusion Apply to Roof Snow Accumulation?
What if snow that accumulates on a roof over time results in collapse? Could the carrier deny the claim, citing the “Neglect” exclusion in the HO policy due to the…
What is “Fragile”?
A large, ornate wooden bowl was scheduled on the insured’s HO policy. The bowl was accidentally broken and the insurer denied the claim citing the exclusion for “breakage of art…
The HO Policy and Underground Leaks
A contractor built a new inground pool for the insured. After the pool was installed, an underground leak was discovered in a water line between the house and pool after…
Surface Water Revisited
An insured suffered severe water damage to the interior of the second floor of a dwelling. A heavy rain storm caused water to accumulate on a second floor deck which…
I See Dead People…Are They Covered?
While it’s an unpleasant topic to consider, sometimes people pass away in their homes and their bodies are undiscovered for weeks. Decomposition can lead to decay and loss of body…
The Concurrent Causation Exclusion
A number of years ago, ISO added “concurrent causation” exclusionary wording to its personal and commercial lines property forms. This was done in response to several onerous court decisions that…
Earth Movement or Falling Object?
A boulder dislodged from a hillside and ended up inside a home at the bottom. Is this excluded as earth movement or would it be covered as a falling object…
