In the article Holding Water – Definitions Needed to Understand Water Losses, we defined terms commonly used in both the commercial property policy and the homeowners policy. Then in Water Terms Used Within the Commercial Property Policy we explained how those terms are used within the commercial property policy, and what that meant for coverage. This article does the same for the homeowners policy HO 00 03 03 22; it reviews where the terms are found in the policy and how coverage applies.
Plumbing, Sewer, Drain
Plumbing
The homeowners policy uses the same terms as the commercial policy and has similar issues. The term plumbing appears ten times in the HO 00 03 Homeowners form; it first appears in the exclusion for: "2.c.(1) Freezing of a plumbing, heating, air conditioning or automatic fire protective sprinkler system or of a household appliance, or by discharge, leakage or overflow from within the system or appliance caused by freezing." The exclusion continues with language that explains what is not considered part of the plumbing system: "For purposes of this provision, a plumbing system or household appliance does not include a sump, sump pump or related equipment or a roof drain, gutter, downspout or similar fixtures or equipment;". This explanation appears in multiple sections of the policy.
Under the exclusion for mold, fungus or wet rot, an exception exists for mold behind ceilings, walls, and floors if the cause was accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam from: "(a) A plumbing, heating, air conditioning or automatic fire protective sprinkler system, or a household appliance, on the "residence premises";". This is identifying plumbing as a cause of loss, but it doesn't help define the term. The description of what is not a plumbing system appears after the next clause in the policy for clarification: "For purposes of this provision, a plumbing system or household appliance does not include a sump, sump pump or related equipment or a roof drain, gutter, downspout or similar fixtures or equipment;" so that certain equipment is identified as not being part of the plumbing system. However, plumbing or plumbing system is never defined in the policy.
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Christine G. Barlow, CPCU
Christine G. Barlow, CPCU, is Executive Editor of FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation, a division of National Underwriter Company and ALM. Christine has over thirty years’ experience in the insurance industry, beginning as a claims adjuster then working as an underwriter and underwriting supervisor handling personal lines. Christine regularly presents and moderates webinars on a variety of topics and is an experienced presenter.