Insurance coverage Q&A: Window cleaner scratches glass
When a window cleaner scratches the glass he is working on, is there coverage under a CGL policy?
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We have a recent claim where a window cleaning contractor scratched the window glass of a building they were cleaning. They have a standard commercial general liability policy for liability with no voluntary property damage.
We are reviewing the policy language and trying to find coverage within the policy. We know the standard exclusion for real property upon which operations are being performed most likely applies. Is there possibly any coverage that we are missing in the standard form?
Thank you for your assistance.
— Pennsylvania Subscriber
Unfortunately for the insured, there is no coverage. The damage to property exclusions (damage to your work/damage to your product) effectively excludes damage caused by the insured, regardless if such damage was accidental.
The policy assumes that the insured is fully competent in their work product and takes precautions to ensure it is done safely and properly and, thus, there are exclusions for damage arising out of the insured’s work or the insured’s product.
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