Will homeowner's insurance cover a ride on lawn mower that caught on fire?

Question

My brother-in-law was riding the lawnmower and it backfired, so he got off to check the engine and when he opened it up there were flames shooting out. They don't have a fire extinguisher, so he put baking soda on it, but it didn't work. He tried flour (bad idea) and then sand. Finally, a neighbor came over with a fire extinguisher and put it out. I guess the hood is melted and the wires are all melted.

My husband seems to think that this would be covered under home owners insurance as personal belongings. Is he right?

Answer 1

Yes, this would be covered under most homeowners policies. When it comes to Coverage C items (personal property) - it has to be one of the named perils that causes the damage. Fire is a named peril. For it to be fire - there has to be a flame - smoldering does not count. You had flame. The fact that the fire was caused because of a mechanical failure is not really a problem.

Now....lawn maintenance equipment is usually settled at actual cash value. That means - the cost to replace with a similar item less depreciation.  

For example - the mower is 8 years old. It is the kind of thing you can buy at Lowes - what they call a "garden tractor".  You have a 500 deductible. The cost to replace the mower is 1000.00.  The insurance company would take the 1000 replacement cost and subtract for deprecation 8 years, say 40%. (40% of 1000 = 400.   therefore: 1000-400 = 600.00.  From this, we subtract the deductible -500.00.  Therefore, the policy would pay you 100.  That is probably not worth filing a claim for.

Before you file a claim. I suggest you price out the cost of replacing the lawn mower with a similar one and then talk to your agent. Depending on the replacement cost, age of the mower and your deductible - it may not be worth filing the claim.  

Answer 2

No   That is not considered belongings but equipment.  Your policy would have to have a specific line for that.  Mine says outbuildings and equipment. But that is for fire in the building not using the equipment. Insurance company will claim failure was due to poor maintenance of equipment.