A cat jumps on the stove to get leftovers, accidentally turns a burner, and starts a kitchen fire. The homeowner has heard of an exclusion that applies to damage caused by animals owned or kept by an insured, and is concerned that the fire will not be covered. Exactly how mad should the homeowner be with their cat? (And how long can they stay mad at that face?)
Notable Timestamps
[ 00:00 ] - A kitchen fire caused by a pet can initially alarm insureds who may believe the animal exclusion automatically bars coverage for any damage involving their cat or dog.
[ 00:53 ] - The discussion highlights how insureds may hesitate to disclose that a pet caused the loss because they fear the claim will be denied under the policy language.
[ 03:39 ] - Investigating unusual fire losses often requires origin-and-cause experts, especially when evidence suggests a stove burner was turned on without any appliance malfunction.
[ 05:07 ] - The key distinction is that animal-caused property damage itself may be excluded, while the resulting fire can still qualify as a covered peril under the policy.
[ 05:50 ] - Claims involving uncommon exclusions remind adjusters to carefully read the actual policy wording instead of relying on assumptions about what is or is not covered.
[ 06:12 ] - Ordinary pet damage like chewing, scratching, or staining is different from a sudden accidental event such as a kitchen fire.
[ 07:24 ] - Adjusters generally approach claims by looking for coverage where it exists.
[ 08:45 ] - Animal exclusions are often intended to address ongoing maintenance-type damage rather than fortuitous accidental losses.
[ 10:10 ] - While some courts have interpreted animal exclusions broadly, the cited cases involved extreme situations with dozens of pets causing extensive property damage.
[ 11:54 ] - Maintaining good communication and rapport with insureds can help overcome misconceptions about coverage and encourage honest discussion during the investigation.
Your PLRB Resources
Birds, Vermin, Rodents, or Insects; Animals Owned or Kept (HO133)
https://members.plrb.org/documents/birds-vermin-rodents-or-insects-animals-owned-or-kept-ho133
Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company.
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Legal Information
The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate.
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