Awning Could Be Considered Outdoor Sign

I have a client who has an attached outdoor awning over her store front. It has the store's name on it and was installed by her. It was destroyed as a result of fire. She is underinsured but does have optional coverage for Outdoor Signs that would increase her limits. The applicable form is BP 00 03 07 02. The insurance company's stance is that it is not an outdoor sign. What do you think?

Kentucky Subscriber

The optional coverage does not distinguish between attached and unattached signs.

Since “signs” is not a defined term in the policy, we must look to a common dictionary (Merriam Webster Online) for a definition: “a display (as a lettered board or a configuration of neon tubing) used to identify or advertise a place of business or a product.”

Based on this definition, the awning could be considered a sign, and thus would be covered by the Outdoor Signs optional coverage of the BP 00 03 07 02.