In these days of mergers and acquisitions, globalization, and shifting business operations off-shore, questions can arise as to how various insurance policies address off-premises losses. For example, if an insured company based in Ohio expands its operations to Nevada or buys a plant in England, will the commercial property policy cover a fire loss to the newly acquired buildings? Or, if the insured is based in Ohio and then builds a manufacturing plant in India, then will the general liability policy provide coverage for the company if its product injures a consumer in Brazil? Additionally, if a company employee travels to Europe and rents a car for business purposes, will the business auto policy protect the insured if an at-fault accident occurs?

A reading of the various insurance coverage forms reveals that off-premises coverage mainly depends on the wording of the insuring agreements, definitions, and conditions clauses. Of course, an individual insurance company can have its own preferred definition of “coverage territory” in its own policies, but the standard Insurance Services Office (ISO) coverage forms offer reasonable guidelines.

The building and personal property coverage form CP 00 10 declares that the coverage for the direct physical loss of or damage to covered property exists only at the premises described in the declarations. Therefore, if the insured declares that its covered property is at 123 Main Street, Main City, Ohio, the insured will not have coverage for its newly acquired building in Nevada or its plant in England.

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