February 1, 2016
Equipment Breakdown Protection Coverage
Summary: In 2007, Insurance Services Office changed the named of the Boiler and Machinery program to Equipment Breakdown. This was done to more clearly emphasize the broadness of the coverage provided by the program. The Equipment Breakdown program is written under ISO's simplified commercial coverages program, using EB 00 20 01 13, Equipment Breakdown Protection Coverage Form. In addition, a variety of endorsements are available under the program that extend or modify the equipment breakdown coverage.
Topics covered:
The equipment breakdown coverage declarations page, in addition to noting the policy number, named insured, mailing address, and policy period, provides spaces to show the limits of insurance for the various coverages offered through EB 00 20. Insurance applies only to a coverage for which a limit of insurance is shown on the dec page. The dec page also has spaces for listing optional coverages chosen by the insured, as well as for deductibles and additional insureds, mortgageholders, and loss payees.
For equipment breakdown coverage to apply properly, it is necessary that the declarations page be completed fully and accurately, because throughout the coverage forms and endorsements there are references to information “shown in the declarations.”
1.Covered Cause of Loss
Covered Cause of Loss is a “Breakdown” to “Covered Equipment”.
2.Coverages Provided
Each of the following coverages is provided if either a limit or the word INCLUDED is shown for that coverage in the Declarations. If neither a limit nor the word INCLUDED is shown, then that coverage is not provided.
These coverages apply only to that portion of the loss or damage that is a direct result of a Covered Cause of Loss.
a.Property Damage
We will pay for direct damage to “Covered Property” located at the premises described in the Declarations.
b.Expediting Expenses
With respect to direct damage to “Covered Property” we will pay for the extra cost you necessarily incur to:
(1)Make temporary repairs; and
(2)Expedite the permanent repairs or replacement of the damaged property.
Analysis
The covered cause of loss under EB 00 20 is a breakdown to covered equipment. These terms are defined later in the policy, but a “breakdown” is a direct physical loss that causes damage. “Covered equipment” includes not only boiler and machinery, but also electrical and communication equipment used in the generation, transmission, or utilization of energy.
The insurer will pay for direct damage to covered property that is any property that the named insured owns or that is in the care, custody, or control of the named insured and for which he is legally liable. So, nonowned property is given equal status under the property damage coverage agreement with the named insured's owned property. Note that the named insured need not directly assume the legal liability for care of the property of others; any way that the named insured becomes legally liable for the care of another's property will suffice to make such property covered property.
The insurer offers expediting expense coverage. This coverage pays the expenses the insured necessarily incurs to make temporary repairs and to get the permanent repairs done as soon as possible. The goal here is, of course, to keep the insured in business or to put him back in business as soon as possible. So, for example, if the insured calls a repairman to the place of business for quick service overnight or on a weekend, EB 00 20 will pay for that expense in order for the insured to keep operations going.
For these particular coverages, and for the ones that follow, a dollar limit or the word “included” must be shown on the dec page next to the desired coverage or there is no coverage. Using the example of the expediting expense coverage, if the insured had not put a limit of insurance next to the expediting expense column on the dec page, the cost of the overnight repair would be borne by the insured himself.
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