Property Damage Caused by Riding Lawnmower

August 11, 2014

The insured is a lawnmower repair company. The insured went to a customer's home to pick up his riding lawnmower. The insured back his truck/trailer up to load the mower. The insured got on the riding lawnmower and put it in drive and the mower went in reverse through the garage door damaging it. Does this fall under exclusion g. (Aircraft, Auto or Watercraft) under the CGL form regarding loading and unloading? Also is the mower considered a mechanical device? Lastly, would it fall under subsection a. of the definition of mobile equipment?

Iowa Subscriber

Exclusion g is for autos and a riding lawnmower is not an auto. By definition, the lawnmower is mobile equipment. So, in this instance, if the insured is liable for the damage to the door, there is no exclusion to prevent coverage. Any damage to the mower itself is not covered due to the care, custody, or control exclusion.