Can A Homeowner’s Policy Cover Incidents That Took Place When You Were Away From Home?

The legal system appreciates the degree to which any family values its home. At the same time, it understands that a lawyer can see a home as a valuable asset, one that might be requested by the victim of a negligent act. A homeowner’s policy has been designed to offer protection from that specific possibility.

Following the occurrence of what types of accidents does the person with a homeowner’s policy enjoy that special protection?

That protection covers any accident that happens inside or outside the home, and one for which the homeowner might be held liable. Such protection would not be made available to someone that had chosen to commit a purposeful act, and had harmed someone else by doing so. Even if no violent was committed, but a residence had been entered illegally, such protection would not be granted.

Such protection does not extend to accidents involving a motored vehicle. The owner of a motored vehicle must get a car insurance policy, in order to acquire such protection.

What are examples of a purposeful act, the sort that would not be protected by a homeowner’s policy?

That would include things like assault and battery, workplace harassment, sexual harassment and vandalism. A rock thrown at a window would be an example of vandalism. A baseball that gets struck by a bat and goes astray, thus hitting a window would not be considered vandalism.

If a witness came forward and offered details on the time when the rock was thrown, along with a description of the thrower, that person could be held liable for the damages. On the other hand, the parents of any young boy that has hit a ball could remain protected from the possible consequences of a legal claim, assuming that the same parents had purchased a homeowner’s policy.

How a policy holder benefits from purchasing a homeowner’s policy

In case of a fire, any damage to the home is covered. The homeowner has the option of paying for added coverage, such as flood or earthquake insurance. The homeowner gets reimbursed for items stolen from the home. In addition, the homeowner gets reimbursed for items stolen from family members, even if those same loved ones are not in their home at the time of the theft.

If someone does launch legal action against the homeowner, he or she can have a personal injury lawyer in Oakville, one provided by the insurance company. That same attorney can go to the discovery and to the deposition; the homeowner does not have to schedule time for such appearances.

The insurance company pays any litigation costs and also arranges for a payment to any expert witness, if the case against the homeowner eventually goes to trial.