Our insured has a large class A motor home. There was a hailstorm, and we paid for the repairs to damage caused by the hail. However, there were some stress cracks in the fiberglass header at the upper outside corners over the windshield. The appraiser found out that these were typical for this unit, and we denied repair of these. We determined the cracks were not from the hail storm but rather from poor maintenance. Should this claim be denied under the wear and tear, mechanical breakdown exclusionary language in the PAP?

What are your thoughts on this? 

Ohio Subscriber

If it can be shown that the cracks were not from the storm (or any other covered cause of loss), then yes, the exclusion for wear and tear should apply. The exclusion is designed to exclude coverage for gradual damage to the auto that occurs under normal and expected conditions. If, as the appraiser said, the damage was typical for this unit and due solely to poor maintenance, then there would be no coverage under the PAP.

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