Carport a Canopy?

Insured made claim under an AAIS form 2 for “weight of ice and snow” damage to a carport attached to the end of the dwelling. The subject form appears to exclude coverage for such damage to “awnings and canopies” etc.

Is a carport, supported by columns on one side and the dwelling on the other, considered a “canopy” and thus excluded from coverage under this peril?

Pennsylvania Subscriber

The policy does not define “awnings” or “canopies,” so we go to the dictionary. Merriam Webster Online defines them as follows:

 

Awning – a roof like cover extending over or in front of a place (as over the deck or in front of a door or window) as a shelter.

Canopy – a protective covering: as (1): the uppermost spreading branchy layer of a forest or an ornamental roof like structure.

Carport – an open-sided automobile shelter by the side of a building.

 

Clearly a carport is neither an awning nor a canopy, so there is coverage for the damage to the carport.

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