The situation is a detached garage (Morton building with a slab) that was damaged by an interior fire. Homeowners policy, HW-2132. There is a car lift in the building, similar to the one in this link: XPR-12CL Two-Post Lift – Clearfloor 2-Post Lift – BendPak.
It is not a business, and the lift is used only for personal use by the homeowner. The lift is bolted down to the slab. Is this definitively considered part of the Other Structures or could it be considered contents?
New York Subscriber
This would be part of the other structure. A structure is something that is built, but doesn't have to be a building with a roof and walls so the swingset, swimming pool, and rock garden would all be considered other structures. Personal property is generally mobile and can be brought inside at will; the picnic table, barbeque set the insured rolls into the garage for the winter and similar items would be personal property along with the regular furniture/clothes/household items.
Being bolted to the floor makes the lift part of the detached garage, which is an other structure, coverage B in most policies.
Christine G. Barlow, CPCU
Christine G. Barlow, CPCU, is Executive Editor of FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation, a division of National Underwriter Company and ALM. Christine has over thirty years’ experience in the insurance industry, beginning as a claims adjuster then working as an underwriter and underwriting supervisor handling personal lines. Christine regularly presents and moderates webinars on a variety of topics and is an experienced presenter.