Summary: Under the simplified language farm program of Insurance Services Office, the farm liability coverage form (FL 00 20 01 98) may be combined with a declarations, a common policy conditions form (IL 00 17 11 98), and any applicable endorsements to form a monoline farm liability policy or it may be combined with other farm coverage forms (discussed elsewhere in this tab) in a multi-line policy. Use of this form replaces the farmowners-ranchowners personal liability form (FR 00 09), the section II amendatory endorsement (FR 00 10), and the farmers comprehensive personal liability endorsement (FC 04 01). This article offers an analysis of FL 00 20.
Note that the provisions of the farm liability coverage form track, in part, with two other liability forms of ISO: the commercial sections with the occurrence version of the commercial general liability coverage form (referred to in this discussion as the CGL); and the personal portions with section II of the homeowners form.
Topics covered:
Eligibility
Coverage H
Coverage I
Coverage J
Additional coverages
Coverage extension
Limits of insurance
Liability conditions
Additional conditions
Definitions
Eligibility
Division four of the commercial lines manual contains the rules and rating procedures for writing farm liability coverage on form FL 00 20. The following are not eligible for coverage under the form (note that a restriction concerning corporately owned or operated farms does not appear): farms whose principal purpose is to supply commodities the insured uses for processing or manufacturing for sale to others (such as, creameries or dairies); farms whose principal purpose is to operate freezing or dehydrating plants or poultry factories; farms with farm dwellings of more than four families; farms where farm dwellings are used for business purposes other than permitted incidental occupancies; workers compensation coverage unless required by law.
For risks one through four above, farm liability coverage may be provided with a commercial general liability coverage form (for example, CG 00 01) and the farm premises liability with personal liability endorsements (FL 04 11 01 98 or FL 04 37 01 98 and FL 04 12 01 98, respectively).
Coverage H
1. Insuring Agreement
a. We will pay those sums that the “insured” becomes legally obligated to pay as damages because of “bodily injury” or “property damage” to which this insurance applies. We will have the right and duty to defend the “insured” against any “suit” seeking those damages. However, we will have no duty to defend the “insured” against any “suit” seeking damages for “bodily injury” or “property damage” to which this insurance does not apply. We may at our discretion investigate any “occurrence” and settle any claim or “suit” that may result. But:
(1) The amount we will pay for damages is limited as described in SECTION II – LIMITS OF INSURANCE; and
(2) Our right and duty to defend end when we have used up the applicable Limit of Insurance in the payment of judgments or settlements under Coverage H or I or medical expenses under Coverage J.
No other obligation or liability to pay sums or perform acts or services is covered unless explicitly provided for under the ADDITIONAL COVERAGES.
b. This insurance applies to “bodily injury” and “property damage” only if:
(1) The “bodily injury” or “property damage” is caused by an “occurrence”; and
(2) The “bodily injury” or “property damage” occurs during the policy period.
c. Damages because of “bodily injury” include damages claimed by any person or organization for care, loss of services or death resulting at any time from the “bodily injury.”
d. ”Property damage” that is loss of use of tangible property that is not physically injured will be deemed to occur at the time of the “occurrence” that caused it.
Analysis
This insuring agreement mirrors the coverage A insuring agreement for bodily injury and property damage found on the CGL form. The insurer promises to pay sums that the insured is legally obligated to pay and for which the policy applies. The agreement contains a promise to defend the insured against a lawsuit, but the insurer reserves for itself the right to settle any claim or suit; the insured does not control whether a suit or claim is to be settled. And, if this insurance does not apply, the insurer declares it has no duty to defend the insured.
This is an occurrence type liability policy and the BI or PD has to occur during the policy period. However, unlike the CGL form, FL 00 20 does not mention BI or PD taking place in the “coverage territory”.
2. Exclusions
This insurance does not apply to:
a. Expected or Intended Injury
”Bodily injury” or “property damage” expected or intended from the standpoint of the “insured.” This exclusion does not apply to “bodily injury” resulting from the use of reasonable force to protect persons or property.
b. Contractual Liability
”Bodily injury” or “property damage” for which the “insured” is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement. This exclusion does not apply to liability for damages:
(1) That the “insured” would have in the absence of the contract or agreement; or
(2) Assumed in a contract or agreement that is an “insured contract”, provided the “bodily injury” or “property damage” occurs subsequent to the execution of the contract or agreement. Solely for the purposes of liability assumed in an “insured contract”, reasonable attorneys' fees and necessary litigation expenses incurred by or for an “insured's” “indemnitee” shall be deemed to be damages because of “bodily injury” or “property damage”, provided:
(a) Liability to such “indemnitee” for, or for the cost of, that “indemnitee's” defense has also been assumed in the same “insured contract”; and
(b) Such attorneys' fees and litigation expenses are for defense of that “indemnitee” against a civil or alternative dispute resolution proceeding in which damages to which this insurance applies are claimed.
c. Pollution
(1) ”Bodily injury” and “property damage” arising out of the actual, alleged or threatened discharge, dispersal, seepage, migration, release or escape of pollutants:
(a) At or from any premises, site or location which is or was at any time owned or occupied by, or rented or loaned to, any “insured”;
(b) At or from any premises, site or location which is or was at any time used by or for any “insured” or others for the handling, storage, disposal, processing or treatment of waste;
(c) Which are or were at any time transported, handled, stored, treated, disposed of, or processed as waste by or for any “insured” or any person or organization for whom you may be legally responsible; or
(d) At or from any premises, site or location on which any “insured” or any contractors or subcontractors working directly or indirectly on any “insured's” behalf are performing operations:
(i) If the pollutants are brought on or to the premises, site or location in connection with such operations by such “insured,” contractor or subcontractor; or
(ii) If the operations are to test for, monitor, clean up, remove, contain, treat, detoxify or neutralize, or in any way respond to, or assess the effects of pollutants.
Subparagraphs (a) and (d)(i) do not apply to “bodily injury” or “property damage” arising out of heat, smoke or fumes from a hostile fire.
As used in this exclusion, a hostile fire means one which becomes uncontrollable or breaks out from where it was intended to be.
(2) Any loss, cost or expense arising out of any:
(a) Request, demand or order that any “insured” or others test for, monitor, clean up, remove, contain, treat, detoxify or neutralize, or in any way respond to, or assess the effects of pollutants; or
(b) Claim or suit by or on behalf of a governmental authority for damages because of testing for, monitoring, cleaning up, removing, containing, treating, detoxifying or neutralizing, or in any way responding to, or assessing the effects of pollutants.
Pollutants means any solid, liquid, gaseous or thermal irritant or contaminant, including smoke, vapor, soot, fumes, acids, alkalis, chemicals and waste. Waste includes materials to be recycled, reconditioned or reclaimed.
d. Release or Discharge From Aircraft
”Bodily injury” or “property damage” caused by or resulting from any substance released or discharged from an aircraft. This exclusion does not apply to model or hobby aircraft unless used or designed to carry an operator(s), any other person(s) or cargo.
e. Aircraft, Motor Vehicle, Motorized Bicycle or Tricycle
”Bodily injury” or “property damage” arising out of:
(1) Ownership of any aircraft, “motor vehicle”, motorized bicycle or tricycle by any “insured”; or
(2) Maintenance, use, operation or “loading or unloading” of any aircraft, “motor vehicle”, motorized bicycle or tricycle by any “insured” or any other person.
This exclusion does not apply to:
(a) An aircraft that causes “bodily injury” or “property damage” to a “residence employee” who is not operating or maintaining it;
(b) Parking a “motor vehicle” or motorized bicycle or tricycle on, or on the ways next to, premises you own or rent, provided the “motor vehicle” is not owned by, or rented or loaned to you or the “insured”;
(c) A “motor vehicle” not subject to motor vehicle registration by reason of its exclusive use as a device for assisting the handicapped.
(d) A licensed recreational “motor vehicle” owned by an “insured,” provided the “occurrence” takes place on the “insured location;”
(e) ”Bodily injury” or “property damage” arising out of the operation of any of the equipment listed in paragraph f.(2) or f.(3) of the definition of “mobile equipment” (SECTION IV);
f. Watercraft
”Bodily injury” or “property damage” arising out of:
(1) Ownership by any “insured” of an excluded watercraft described below; or
(2) Maintenance, use, operation or “loading or unloading”, by any “insured” or any other person, of an excluded watercraft described below.
Excluded watercraft are those that are principally designed to be propelled by engine power or electric motor or are sailing vessels, whether owned by or rented to an “insured”. This exclusion does not apply to watercraft:
(1) That are not sailing vessels and are powered by:
(a) Inboard or inboard-outdrive engine or motor power of fifty horsepower or less not owned by an “insured”;
(b) Inboard or inboard-outdrive engine or motor power of more than fifty horsepower not owned by or rented to an “insured”;
(c) One or more outboard engines or motors with twenty-five total horsepower or less;
(d) One or more outboard engines or motors with more than twenty-five total horsepower if the outboard engine or motor is not owned by an “insured”;
(e) Outboard engines or motors of more than twenty-five total horsepower owned by an “insured” if:
(i) You acquire them prior to the policy period; and
i. You declare them at policy inception; or
ii. Your intention to insure is reported to us in writing within forty-five days after you acquire the outboard motors.
(ii) You acquire them during the policy period.
This coverage applies for the policy period.
(2) That are sailing vessels with or without auxiliary power:
(a) Less than twenty-six feet in overall length;
(b) twenty-six feet or more in overall length, not owned by or rented to an “insured”.
(3) That are stored.
This exclusion does not apply to “occurrences” of “bodily injury” or “property damage”:
(1) That take place on the “insured location”; or
(2) Sustained by a “residence employee” in the course of employment by an “insured”.
g. Mobile Equipment
”Bodily injury” or “property damage” arising out of:
(1) The transportation of “mobile equipment” by a “motor vehicle” owned or operated by, or rented or loaned to, any “insured;” or
(2) The use of any self-propelled land vehicle, or “mobile equipment” in, or while in practice or preparation for, a prearranged racing, speed, strength or demolition contest or in any stunting activity.
Analysis
The first three of these exclusions track with those found on the CGL form and are now standard fare on liability policies.
Exclusion d. is worded to reflect the insurer's objection to covering damage that may be done by crop spraying aircraft. This is a specialized coverage that FL 00 20 is not meant to cover. Exclusion e. combines parts of the aircraft/auto exclusions found on the CGL form and the homeowners policy; then, it extends its scope to include motorized bicycles and tricycles. There are exceptions to exclusion e: if the named insured's aircraft injures a residence employee (such as a maid or gardener), the exclusion does not apply; parking a motor vehicle on the named insured's premises (as long as the vehicle is not owned by or rented to the insured) is an exception; a motor vehicle for the exclusive use of the handicapped (motorized wheel chair), a licensed recreational motor vehicle (a dirt bike), and certain mobile equipment are not included within the reach of exclusion e.
The watercraft exclusion is detailed and self-explanatory. The mobile equipment exclusion mirrors the one found on the CGL form.
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