Most insurers that offer commercial property coverage utilize either the standard ISO property policy or a policy they have developed themselves. Insurers' policies are usually variations of the standard ISO property policy. Thus, a majority pf property policies follow the same general format. This article describes how a typical commercial property policy is structured.

COVERAGES

The first section of a policy is often entitled “Coverage.” It describes the property that qualifies for coverage under the policy, as well as the property that is typically excluded.

The Coverage section also explains the coverages that are included as Additional Coverages and Coverage Extensions.

Covered Property

Property policies cover two basic categories of property: Buildings (also called real property) and Business Personal Property (BPP). If you own the building in which your business operates, then your policy should cover both the building and the BPP it contains. If you rent or lease your building, then your policy will likely cover only your BPP.

Building coverage normally includes machines and equipment that are permanently installed, such as a furnace, boiler and air conditioning equipment. Also covered are fixtures, meaning property that is permanently attached to the building, such as a built-in bookcase or cabinet. Floor coverings, appliances (like refrigerators and dishwashers), fire extinguishers, and outdoor furniture are also normally considered Building property.

Business Personal Property consists of property you own that does not qualify as Building property and that is not otherwise excluded.

It includes office furniture, machines and equipment (if not attached to the building), raw materials, goods-in-process and finished goods. Improvements and betterments you make to a leased building are covered if you paid for them and they cannot be legally removed. Two types of property you don’t own are also covered:

• Property you lease that you are obligated under a contract to insure; and
• Property in your care that is located inside the building (or outside within a specified distance)

Excluded Property

The following types of property are excluded under virtually all property policies:

• Money, securities, accounts, bills and food stamps
• Animals other than stock
• Vehicles, aircraft or watercraft (with some exceptions)
• Land, piers, wharves, docks
• Crops, grain or hay located outside
• The cost of excavations, grading or backfilling

 Many (but not all) property policies also exclude building foundations, paved surfaces (like walkways and roads), electronic data, and the cost to restore information on valuable records (both electronic and hard copy versions).

Additional Coverages

Most property policies list a number of coverages that are automatically added. These are coverages that would otherwise be excluded. They are typically covered subject to a sublimit, meaning a limit that is less than the policy limit. For example, virtually all policies add coverage for Debris Removal, meaning the cost of removing debris of covered property that has been destroyed by a covered peril. However, the insurer may pay no more than a specified amount. Other coverages that are commonly included as Additional Coverages are Pollutant Cleanup, Electronic Data, Fire Department Service Charge, and Increased Cost of Construction.

Coverage Extensions

“Coverage extension” means a coverage that is already provided by the policy but that is extended in some way. For example, most policies extend Building and Personal Property coverages to include property you acquire during the policy period. Your Building coverage is extended to include new buildings constructed at your existing location as well as new buildings acquired at a different location. Your BPP limit is extended to cover new personal property at new locations or at the existing one. A sublimit usually applies to each of these extensions.

The coverage extensions that are included can vary widely from one policy to another. Most policies include, at a minimum, the extensions provided by the ISO form. In addition to Newly Acquired Property, these include Personal Effects and Property of Others, Valuable Papers, Property Off-premises, Outdoor Property, and Non-owned Detached Trailers.

CAUSES OF LOSS (PERILS)

“Causes of loss” or perils may be addressed in a separate section of the "building and personal property" form, or contained in a separate policy form. Most commercial property policies are written on all-risk forms. An all-risk form covers all perils that are not specifically excluded. It does not cover every risk. The "causes of loss" section of an all-risk policy lists the perils that are excluded. An alternative to an all-risk policy is a named perils policy. The latter covers only the perils that are listed in the policy.

Most all-risk forms contain two main categories of exclusions: those that are subject to “anti-concurrent causation” language, and those that are not. The exclusions that subject to anti-concurrent causation language are usually listed first. Examples are the Water (Flood), Ordinance or Law, and Earth Movement exclusions. The “anti-concurrent causation” wording states that these exclusions apply regardless of any other cause or event that contributes to the loss at the same time or in any sequence to it. That is, these perils exclude a loss even if another (covered) peril contributes to it.

LIMITS

The Limits section explains the limits that apply under your policy. These are listed in the declarations. A single blanket limit may apply to all buildings and BPP combined. Alternatively, separate limits may apply to buildings and to BPP. Smaller limits (sublimits) may apply to the coverages listed as Additional Coverages and Coverage Extensions.

DEDUCTIBLES

The Deductibles section explains the deductibles that apply under your policy. Any loss covered under your Building or BPP coverage is typically subject to a deductible that applies to each occurrence. Additional deductibles may apply to specific coverages such as Business Income (Interruption) Coverage.

CONDITIONS

Your property policy is likely to contain two sets of Conditions. The first consists of Loss Conditions. These conditions explain how your losses are calculated and paid. Other conditions may address issues such as coinsurance, the rights of mortgagees, and non-renewal of your policy.

OPTIONAL COVERAGES

If replacement cost coverage is not included in your policy automatically, it may be available as an Optional Coverage. If replacement cost is covered automatically, then Actual Cash Value coverage may be offered as a coverage option. Other coverage options that may be included in this section are Inflation Guard and Agreed Value coverages.

DEFINITIONS

The last section of your policy is likely to contain the Definitions. The Definitions Section outlines the meanings of defined terms. In some policies, the Definitions may come earlier in the policy or may appear in a separate form.