Solar panels are becoming more popular. We had a homeowners claim denied when solar panels collapsed due to weight of ice and snow. The panels were not mounted on the home or outbuilding (free standing in the insured's yard), and the denial was based on the definition of "building." The form states, "Collapse only applies to buildings defined as structure with roof and walls." Because the panels are not a building, they are not covered for collapse. Do you agree with the denial, and if so, what is the remedy?

Connecticut Subscriber

When a term is not defined in a policy, courts refer to a standard desk dictionary. Merriam Webster Online defines "building" as "a structure (such as a house, hospital, school, etc.) with a roof and walls that is used as a place for people to live, work, do activities, store things, etc." Therefore the carrier's interpretation is correct; also note that the policy states that the collapse results in the building not being able to be occupied for its intended purpose. You occupy a house, but you cannot occupy solar panels. There is no endorsement that can be applied to the policy to provide such coverage for the panels.