The standard general liability policy for restoration contractors has a number of often misunderstood exclusions. Coverage for most of the listed exclusions can be found on different policies, but it is important to know what these exclusions are and how they can affect your coverage. The exclusion we want to review for this post is the Damage to Property exclusion. Damage to Property There is no coverage for property damage to the following types of property: Property owned, rented to, or occupied by the named insured. Example: A tenant allows water to damage the portion of the landlord’s building occupied by the tenant for the past 3 years. The CGL excludes coverage for property damage t
From time to time we like to share experiences from our restoration contractors in regards to losses they experience in hopes other contractors. The following claim was experienced by one of our clients that was digging a trench. An excavation worker was injured when he stepped out of a trench box and the wall collapsed burying him from the neck down. The trench was 20 feet long, 3 feet wide and 10 feet deep. Fortunately, his co-workers noticed the cave-in and were able to dig him out in about one minute. A life support helicopter transported him to the hospital where he stayed for two weeks undergoing surgery for multiple fractures, a broken vertebra and a dislocated shoulder. He had two s
Follow these precautions when using portable light strings: Inspect the wiring and fixtures before stringing the lights or before they are energized or plugged in. Make sure the outer insulation is not damaged, the plug ends are intact, and the fixtures are not cracked. The light-string must be grounded. Make certain the plug has a ground prong. Never cut one off. The quality of the ground must be tested frequently. A good ground could save your life if an electrical fault develops, especially when working in wet conditions or on metal structures. If a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) is available, use it. GFIs should always be used under wet conditions. Never string lights so they are near an
One of the biggest risks restoration contractors face is in employee safety. Worker injuries occur at a much higher percentage than general liability or auto insurance claims. The following infographic provides some insight into where you are most at risk for experiencing a worker-related injury and how you can help prevent them. Whether you’re taking the initiative to start a safety program or you’ve been assigned the task, your workers compensation carrier and agent can be an invaluable resource. Most workers compensation companies have dedicated loss control professionals that will come out and inspect your operations free of charge. By surveying job sites, procedures, and office poli
