by swiss » Wed Mar 17, 2010 03:51 am
Retail store was broken into. Nothing was stolen. Back double metal door needed to be totally replaced and a small glass window in the front was broken in order to unlock the front door. Is this covered or considered to be damage to business personal property or to business liability in the State of Texas. Your feed-back is appreciated. Thank you.
Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 05:05 am Post Subject:
Interesting question.
Let's understand a couple of things right off. "Business Personal Property" is personal property such as computers, furniture, etc., as opposed to "real" property such as buildings, improvements, etc.
Liability coverage is "third-party" coverage; it protects the other guy. Think of the liability coverage in your car insurance policy- that takes care of injuries and property damage that you cause in an accident. Business liability coverage is similar in nature, it covers the "other guy." Your losses are property damage losses and any potential coverage would only be covered by that kind of insurance contract.
The metal doors are normally considered part of the building itself and not considered personal property; business or personal. In commercial insurance policies, glass coverage depends on the kind of business coverage you've purchased. In some policies, you automatically get a certain amount of coverage for glass breakage, in others you would have to insure the glass separately. Depends on the policy form.
Check our your coverage, talk to your agent. Don't report a loss unless it's covered and you can't afford to pay for the loss yourself and it exceeds your deductible by a good amount. Especially considering it was a burglary- your insurer won't be thrilled.
InsTeacher 8)
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