We would like an opinion related to a comprehensive coverage claim based on a standard ISO auto policy.

A claim was reported where a large insect got into the air intake and blocked the mass airflow sensor on a covered vehicle.  This caused an irregular fuel/air mixture and resulted in damage to all three catalytic converters and they were replaced.

The driver did not notice an issue until the vehicle stalled while accelerating.  There were no soft/hard codes or warning lights that would have warned the driver of the problem.    The mechanic was surprised the vehicle did not produce an error code for the fuel system error.

The question is this is a covered loss under comprehensive coverage?   The second question is, if it is a covered loss, would the exclusion for "mechanical, or electrical breakdown or failure" apply since the vehicle not sending a warning/error code for the irregular fuel/air mixture?  

Maryland Subscriber

While an insect isn't exactly a bird or an animal, it's not excluded either. The failure of the vehicle to send any codes isn't the direct cause of loss, the insect is.  Most people don't have a vehicle towed to a shop when a warning light comes on; they drive it to the shop, and may even wait a day or two for an appointment if the car sounds normal, depending on their schedule. This is normal behavior, so even if a light had come on the damage could have been done before the vehicle got to the shop. The loss should be covered.

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