Suicide by Gunshot

August 6, 2013

Question is under a homeowners policy, the named insured commits suicide by shooting himself with a shotgun. We are trying to determine if the cause of loss would be: “all other” or “explosion”?

 

Illinois Subscriber

The cause of loss is explosion; explosion is defined as: a large-scale, rapid, or spectacular expansion or bursting out or forth (Merriam Webster Online). This aptly describes a gunshot so it becomes a cause of loss. Also, damage is not caused by an intentional act, because the insured's intent was to terminate his life, not damage property. Any damage to property is a consequential result that the insured most likely didn't consider due to his emotional state at the time.