Riding Mowers, Golf Carts, and Four-Wheelers: The Power of One Word

When the wording in a new version of an insurance policy is changed there can be a significant impact on the coverage provided. This is even the case if just one word is added, changed, or deleted. As a case in point, this article will look at the coverage provided (both property and liability) by the homeowners policy or a riding lawnmower and other vehicles that may be used to service a residence, such as a 4-wheeler or golf cart. The 1991, 2000, and 2011 ISO homeowners policies will be compared. Policies differ so it’s critical to review the forms, especially of insurers who use non-ISO wording.

The 1991 homeowners policy states there is both property coverage and liability coverage for: “vehicles or conveyances not subject to motor vehicle registration which are used to service an “insured’s” residence;”

Clearly a riding mower is used to service the residence, so under the 1991 policy if the mower is stolen there is coverage under Section I of the homeowners policy, subject to the deductible. Likewise, if the insured (or his resident son, daughter, or wife or a residence employee) were using the mower to cut their yard and negligently ran someone over, there would be protection under Section II of the policy.

It’s important to note that the policy wording simply requires that the mower be “used to service an insureds residence” for coverage to apply. The form does not state that coverage applies only “while being used to service an insured’s residence.” Consider the insured who uses his riding mower (or 4-wheeler or golf cart) to service the premises as well as to go down the street to visit a neighbor every now and then. Regardless of where the claim takes place (even off premises on a public road) or how the mower was being used at the time of the occurrence, there would be coverage under the policy, again both property and liability. As a further example, if the insured owned a 4-wheeler and used it to both service the premises and also for hunting at a hunt camp three counties away, there is a good argument for coverage even while the owned 4-wheeler is off premises. The insured could simply argue that the 4-wheeler was used at some time to service the residence and the policy does not require that it be used only to service the residence. While this whole concept may seem to be “splitting hairs” it’s the exact type of analysis that goes on in courts, often resulting in coverage being provided where perhaps none was intended.

Enter the ISO Homeowners 2000 program, with the following Section I and Section II wording concerning vehicles used to service the premises, emphasis added:

“We do cover “motor vehicles” not required to be registered for use on public roads or property which are used solely to service an “insured’s” residence.”

Note the addition of just one word: “solely.” While adding just one word may seem innocent enough, the coverage implications are huge. An even more important point here is the fact that in the entire 700+ page release for HO2000, ISO never once mentioned the addition of this word. Only after reading the new policy, word by word, and comparing the 2000 form to the 1991 form can a reader of insurance forms (also called an “Insurance Nerd” by some) spot the change.

So, what’s the effect of this one word? It’s simple; the ONLY thing the riding mower (or 4-wheeler or golf cart) can be used for in order for coverage to apply under this portion of the policy is to service the insured’s residence. (Coverage for golf carts and 4-wheelers can be provided under certain circumstances in other parts of the policy but those sections will not be analyzed here.) To illustrate the power of one word, consider the following situations:

1. Joe owns a riding mower and cuts his two-acre yard with it weekly. His neighbor, Sharon, takes an extended month long vacation each June. Just because he is a nice neighbor, Joe tells Sharon he will cut her yard without charge with his riding mower during June because “it only takes about 20 minutes to whip out her small yard.” While cutting Sharon’s yard Joe injures a child passing through the yard. Or, even while cutting his own yard at a later date he injures someone.

2. Susan owns a riding mower and uses it to cut her yard. However, from time to time her son Billy joyrides the mower (with the blade disengaged) around the two-acre tract and down the street in front of the house. While cutting the yard Susan injures someone. Or, while Billy is joyriding with a friend on the back the friend is injured.

3. Harry owns a 4-wheeler and uses it mostly to service his premises; haul hay, close the barn door at night, and turn off water pumps on his 10-acre tract. Each January he takes the 4-wheeler to a hunting camp across the state and uses it during his weeklong hunting vacation. While hauling hay on premises, or while hunting during the hunting vacation Harry injures someone while driving the 4-wheeler.

In all these cases, no matter where the injury takes place and no matter how the motor vehicle is used, there is no coverage under the 2000 edition date of the ISO homeowners policy. Why? Because the vehicles in question were not used solely to service the residence. It’s interesting to note that ISO could have made the wording say coverage applied “while being used to service the residence.” That would have covered the on premises claims, even if the vehicle were used at other times for purposes other than to service the residence. Instead, the most restrictive wording possible was used, and the end result is a huge change in coverage over the 1991 form.

?To remedy the Section I coverage gap a recreational vehicle policy could be written on a 4-wheeler or golf cart, but it’s doubtful such policy could be written on a riding mower or lawn tractor. Keep in mind, too, that riding mowers and lawn tractors can be of significant value. Under section II, a recreational vehicle policy can again fill the gaps created for the 4-wheeler and golf cart. Remember, too, the homeowners policy provides liability coverage for golf carts under other parts of the policy, as it does for 4-wheelers. Outside of the coverage provided in those sections, a personal umbrella policy could possibly fill some of the liability gaps for riding mowers used, for example, to cut a neighbor’s yard. As always, the disclaimer for all umbrella coverage issues is to read the form to check policy language.

A word also on “intent.” One could argue, “It was never intended to take away coverage for a riding mower used to cut a neighbor’s yard.” While that is a logical argument, one should not count on such argument in an effort to assure a client of coverage either before or after a claim. Intent often means nothing in a court of law. Remember, the insurance policy is a legal contract and coverage issues are normally resolved based on what the form says, not what someone thinks it was meant to imply.

Due to feedback given to ISO by several insurance organizations where actual claim denials were presented, ISO again changed the homeowners policy with the 2011 edition date:

(2) “Motor vehicles” not required to be registered for use on public roads or property which are:

(a) Used solely to service a residence;

The 2000 form limited coverage to apply only of the vehicle was used solely to service the insured’s residence, while the 2011 form provides coverage if the vehicle is used to service a residence. That could be read to say “used solely to service any residence.” Consider these examples.

• Sam owns a riding mower and lives on 10 acres. He cuts his grass and often also cuts the grass of Sharon who lives next to him. With only those activities, coverage for Section I and Section II applies under the 2011 form.
• Betty owns a riding mower and cuts her grass weekly. Each quarter, she takes the mower to the church for the “work day” and cuts the grass there. No coverage applies at all under the 2011 policy because it’s not used solely to service a residence.
• Frank owns a 4-wheeler and used it around his 20-acre tract of land for routine service. On each July 4th, Frank leads the local homeowners association parade around the neighborhood riding the 4-wheeler. No coverage applies.

How can the possible coverage problem be resolved? For Section I coverage to the mower itself, options are likely very limited. From a liability perspective, a personal umbrella might provide coverage, subject to a small ($500 to $1000) self-insured retention. As always with a personal umbrella policy, make sure to read the form to see how coverage applies. Another option is to contact the insurance company involved and determine their position for a riding mower or recreational vehicle used occasionally for purposes other than to service the insured’s residence. Finally, other risk management techniques can be used, such as not using the vehicle for purposes other than to service the insured’s residence, which is easier said than done.

One word, “solely.” It can be a coverage killer!

Copyright FAIA, 07/2018
Used with permission

Last Updated: July 10, 2026