Insurance Coverage Definitions – Property Coverage

PROPERTY COVERAGE

Property coverage provides first-party coverage on the insured’s tangible assets from a variety of causes
of loss. There are many forms and approaches starting with the general and moving to the specific. The
range of options allows an agent to work with a customer to develop the approach that is right for them.

Property Coverage—Building and Personal Property Coverage Form

There are four types of property associated with every structure:
 The building or structure itself;
 The business personal property inside the building;
 The personal property of others in the building; and
 The improvements and betterments that have been made for the benefit of the current occupant.

All are covered under the Building and Personal Property Coverage Form. All can be provided with a
specific limit or can be combined in various ways as blanket. A separate cause of loss form must be
attached.

Automotive operations will normally use this form for most property coverage.
(Refer to ACORD 140) (Refer to PF&M 130.4-2)

Property Coverage—Building and Business Personal Property Coinsurance
Coinsurance is a technique to encourage proper insurance to value. The commercial fire rating section in
the ISO manuals contemplate a minimum of 80 percent coinsurance. Any higher coinsurance receives a
credit and lower receives a debit. The insured must choose a coinsurance percentage; it is then indicated
on the declarations page. Failure to carry sufficient limits to satisfy the coinsurance requirement will cause
a penalty at the loss settlement time.
(Refer to PF&M Section 130.6-9)

Property Coverage—Building and Business Personal Property Alternatives to Coinsurance:

Agreed value—suspends coinsurance but requires the insured submit annual signed statements
of value indicating the 100 percent value of the property insured and then purchase either 90
percent or 100 percent of that value.(ACORD 139) (Refer to PF&M Section 130.4-2)

Functional replacement cost—allows the insured to purchase the coverage necessary to
rebuild or replace based on utilitarian needs. Examples include: replacing a three-story building
that has two vacant stories with a one-story building or replacing wooden office furniture with
cubicles.(Refer to PF&M Section 130.6-29)

Peak season—allows the insured to increase business personal property values at peak times
while keeping values lower at other times of the year. The insured picks the time period and the
increased amount.(Refer to PF&M Section 130.6-12)

Reporting forms—allows the insured to pay only for the business personal property needed
while maintaining insurance to value. The insured schedules the maximum coverage needed for
the year and pays a premium based on 75 percent of the value. He/She then reports the actual
values periodically. At the end of the year the carrier calculates the premium difference. The
insured will have the exact coverage needed for the time period.(Refer to PF&M Section 130.6-11)

Property Coverage—Condominium Coverage Form

Unit Owners Coverage

Business personal property owned by a unit owner, and personal property of others in the care,
custody or control of the insured, may be covered under this form in the same manner and with
the same general options as are associated with the Building And Personal Property Coverage
Form except that there are considerations given to the uniqueness of condominium bylaws and
coverage requirements. Coverage is provided by ISO but other carriers offer similar forms.
If an automotive operation is a part of a commercial condominium they will need this coverage.
Their bylaws should be reviewed carefully to confirm that coverage is adequate.(Refer to ACORD 140)

Property Coverage—Commercial Output Policy

A commercial output policy is a property coverage part originally designed for the automobile
manufacturer but now more appropriate for any large property exposure. The coverage is generally
broader than the standard Property Coverage Form, with more flexibility. There are several built-in
coverages but the deductibles tend to be higher. Most commercial output policies are unique to each
company but the AAIS and the ISO both have developed forms to aid their members. A comparison of
forms is necessary to determine the advantages and disadvantages. Particular attention must be paid to
exclusions; property included and excluded, inland marine extensions, property at other locations, and
any special limitations. The rating system is unique and a decision on whether the rate can be changed
during the year is usually necessary.

This coverage could be beneficial to many owners of larger properties.

Property Coverage—Boiler and Machinery

This coverage has four separate parts:
 Damage from an accident to the items covered
 Damage to the insured’s other property caused by an accident to the items covered
 Loss of income due to damage to the item and/or damage to the other insured property
 Damage to property of others and bodily injury to others caused by an accident to the items
covered.

The items covered are boilers and other heating devices. In addition most machinery and equipment
including electronic devices can be included. ISO has a Standard Boiler and Machinery Policy Form. The
major writers of this coverage use their own forms but the structure is similar to the ISO version.
Both building owners and tenants, if heating with boilers, will want to consider this coverage in order to
prevent coverage gaps.(Refer to ACORD 155) (Refer to PF&M Section 231.1)

Property Coverage—Legal Liability

This form provides property coverage for direct physical loss or damage, including loss of use, to property
of others in the insured’s care, custody and control, for which the insured is legally liable. Coverage is not
for the benefit of the insured but is for the benefit of the property owner. That owner must be the one who
files a claim for damages. The coverage is provided with a standard ISO coverage form. The insured
chooses basic, broad or special cause of loss. The determination of the cause of loss is made based on
the wording of the agreement between the property owner and the insured. Since this is legal liability
only, the only cause of loss that will actually be covered is that which is required by the contract, so
purchasing a broader cause of loss than the contract states is a waste of money.
Insurance Coverage Definitions
Automotive operations often have hazardous waste and special debris concerns that could add
significantly to the debris removal cost so this coverage should be considered.(Refer to ACORD 140)

Property Coverage—Ordinance or Law Coverage

The standard ISO Building and Personal Property Coverage Form excludes coverage for any costs that
are associated with building law changes. There are three specific types:
 The first deals with laws that require a building to be torn down if more than a certain percentage
is destroyed and it does not meet current codes. There is no coverage for the destruction of the
undamaged portion of the building. Coverage A would pay for this.
 Second, there is no coverage for the demolition of the undamaged portion. Coverage B would
pay for this.
 Third, there is no coverage to bring a building up to code in order to gain permits to build.
Coverage C would pay for this.
Coverage may be purchased under an ISO form using CP 04 05. Some carriers offer this coverage in a
slightly different manner.

Automotive operations may be subject to ordinances about particular businesses in certain areas of town
that could result in their having to move following a sizable loss. A partial loss could quickly turn into a
total loss with only the partial loss covered. In addition, since the public regularly enters the building there
could be American with Disabilities Act considerations that could involve increased cost of construction
should ANY loss occur.(Refer to ACORD 140)

Property Coverage—Outdoor Trees, Shrubs and Plants Enhancement

The standard ISO Building and Personal Property Coverage Form considers outdoor trees, shrubs and
plants as not covered property. This endorsement changes them to covered property but with a specific
limit and some added exclusions. There is an option to include or exclude vehicle damage. The standard
ISO Building and Personal Property Coverage Form does provide a limited amount of coverage for trees,
shrubs and plants. If this is not sufficient to satisfy a property loss, endorsement CP 14 30 should be
considered.(Refer to ACORD 140)

Property Coverage—Replacement Cost
The standard valuation on an insurance policy is actual cash value. The actual cash value is replacement
cost today less depreciation. This valuation basis indemnifies the insured and puts him/her in the same
condition after the loss as before. However, since it is difficult to rebuild old for old, the alternative
valuation of replacement cost is encouraged. Replacement cost coverage is available in most property
forms, inland marine forms and some auto forms. It is an important tool but if the insured wants to have
replacement cost valuation, he/she must also insure to replacement cost which can be a large increase of
limits and premium.(Refer to ACORD 140)

Property Coverage—Utility Services – Direct Damage

The standard ISO cause of loss forms exclude loss due to utility service disruption of communication,
power or water. This ISO endorsement returns the cause of loss to the policy. The disruption may be due
to damage to off-site facilities or power lines as selected by the insured. This does not cover
consequential loss due to spoilage.

Automotive operations cannot function without the utility services operating. If there are items that would
be damaged by a sudden loss of water, power or communication, serious thought should be given to
purchasing this coverage.(Refer to ACORD 140)