Published on behalf of Many homeowners do not know that their homeowners insurance policy often provides coverage for accidents which occur on the insured property. However, only those who are not covered under the policy or otherwise related to the insured can make such a claim (i.e., guest/neighbor). In a standard homeowners insurance policy, this type of coverage is called “liability” or “general liability” coverage.
Coverage generally applies only in cases when the homeowner or someone else insured under the policy commits negligence. In other words, a homeowners insurance claim can be made against the homeowner by someone who comes onto the property and sustains injuries in an accident which was caused by the homeowner. Under Pennsylvania law, guests, neighbors, certain utility workers, etc. may be able to bring such a claim.
A homeowner would be barred from making a homeowners insurance claim to recover for injuries that the homeowner sustained in an accident on the insured policy. Homeowners insurance operates much like auto insurance – when you’ve committed negligence and are liable, your insurance policy will apply.
In addition, liability coverage under a homeowners insurance policy often covers negligent acts committed by the homeowner while away from the insured property. In other words, a homeowners insurance policy may cover a homeowner who commits negligence say, at a neighbor’s house down the street, while shopping at a mall or eating at a restaurant.
The following is am example of a situation where a homeowners insurance policy applies to a situation when a homeowner causes injury to another person negligently. A homeowner goes to a restaurant or bar and has one drink too many. He or she accidentally knocks into someone so severely that the person falls back and hits their head, suffering a serious head injury. The act of drinking too much and knocking into an individual may be covered by the drunk person’s homeowners insurance policy. Therefore the injured individual could make a claim against the drunk person’s homeowners insurance policy to recover for the injuries. Many people are surprised to learn that homeowners insurance policies often work in this manner.
Related accident content:
- Pennsylvania Accident Law – Negligence Claims Against Neighbors
- Pennsylvania Accident Law: A Homeowner’s Liability for a Guest’s Accident
- Pennsylvania Fall Down Accident Law – A Homeowner’s Liability to Yard/Garage Sale Guests
Philadelphia Slip & Fall Accident Lawyers
Schwartz & Blackman has been representing the injured and their families for over thirty years in slip and fall accident cases. Our firm offers a free consultation for all Pennsylvania and New Jersey injury and accident victims. Call now and ask for your free consultation. 215.925.4451
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