Road Repairs Covered under HO3?

We represent a homeowner insured under an HO-3 in NC. The property is located on top of a mountain in a remote area at the end of a 2 mile long unimproved road with several switchbacks. The homeowner does not own the road but rather has easement rights to the road. His home is the only home on the road. The structure suffered extensive damage from a gas line leak explosion. The contractor has included in his bid a rather large line item for road repairs and maintenance to maintain the road during construction to make it as safe as possible for the various suppliers and workers traveling the road daily. The insurance carrier says no coverage. We ran into a similar issue when the main road to the southern outer banks was washed out after Hurricane Isabel. Materials and workers had to be brought in by ferry or barge at a substantial increase in cost. These costs were ultimately paid. We don't see this as being any different. Your thoughts?

North Carolina Subscriber