The Real Deal: Someone Got Injured on My Property

It’s a moment that every homeowner dreads; someone has been injured on your property. Maybe it was a landscaper in the middle of tending to your lawn or it could have been a housekeeper as she was vacuuming your stairs; it’s possible it was the nanny as she prepared breakfast for your son or maybe it was a neighbor who tripped when she came by for morning cup of Joe. Now, it's time to see how your home insurance policy will be impacted.

An Injured Contractor or Employee

Generally, a home insurance policy will not cover injuries obtained by a contractor working on your property. That's why it's so important to make sure that the contractor has his or her own liability and other insurance coverage before you secure their services. If a contractor refuses to show physical proof of this coverage, it’s better to move along to the next.

For domestic employees who work a varying amount of hours each week, it depends on your policy and state whether or not their injuries will be covered in your policy. Some states, such as California, may require certain domestic workers to be covered by a home insurance policy while others may not.

If your home insurance policy does not cover domestic workers, you may consider adding an umbrella policy. Even if your home insurance policy does cover domestic employees, the umbrella policy extends your limits even further, making it a worthy policy to own.

A Neighbor, Friend, or Nonresident Family Member

Your home insurance policy will provide medical payments for a neighbor friend or nonresident family member who is injured inside your home or outside your home but still on your property. If the injury was not excluded for any reason then the insurance policy will likely pay damages and medical expenses up to certain dollar and time limits specified in your policy.

If the injury was due to your negligence but was not excluded from the policy, there is a chance that the injured individual may sue you personally for additional damages. In some cases, an umbrella policy can extend your insurance limits far enough that you avoid any personal financial exposure.

If you have questions about how your Oklahoma home insurance policy pays claims, when it pays claims, and what situations are excluded, give us a call at Magill Insurance Agency today. We can also help you compare rates and policies to make sure that you and your family are protected at a premium you can afford.

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