Dead Storage

August 2, 2012

The insured policyholder had a 1933 vintage hot rod car in dead storage inside his dwelling's garage when a total loss fire occurred to his dwelling. The fire damaged the car. The car was up on blocks, the engine didn't run, and the car was NOT registered with the state as an operable licensed vehicle.  The policyholder is inquiring if the car is still considered to be a “motor vehicle” that could be excluded under his homeowner's policy, since the policy states “Property Not Covered:  We do not cover: motor vehicles or all other motorized land conveyances”?  Or, because it is in “dead storage” and not drivable does that fact change its classification to being NOT a “motor vehicle” and instead being other covered personal property, such as an art piece?