My question is in regards to an HO-0003 policy. Our insured has exhausted the dwelling limit and he does not carry an endorsement that provides additional coverage. They have submitted a claim for the driveway and the sidewalk. The driveway runs up to the garage that is attached to the house. The sidewalk runs up to the home. The public adjuster is stating that the driveway has an apron below the surface of the ground in between the garage and driveway and the same goes for the sidewalk. My position has been since they are all connected and there is no clear space between the dwelling and the driveway/sidewalk this should all fall under the dwelling coverage. Would this be considered a gap that would constitute other structure coverage?
Illinois Subscriber
In most cases, the driveway and sidewalk are other structures. Normally there is a small gap between the driveway and dwelling, and the two are not connected.
Since I'm not a contractor I did some internet research, and did not find any construction that outlined an apron under the dwelling. However, my search was not exhaustive. If there is an apron that is attached to the dwelling itself, it would be part of the dwelling and would make the driveway part of Coverage A. If the driveway and sidewalk were not attached, even though the separation is small, then they would be other structures.