​Author: David Thompson

A tree trimmer has his CGL policy with one insurer and his BAP policy with another one. There is an accident involving his bucket truck so, of course, each insurer is pointing at the other one for coverage. This and other situations illustrate why it is usually a good idea to insure both policies with one carrier.

"Small claim but a royal pain. Tree trimmer has a bucket truck that was shifted by wind and it started to sink into the ground on one side, causing it to hit a corner of the pool cage. $1,700 total claim.
The ISO form CGL is stating it is an auto and therefore not covered, the auto carrier is stating it is mobile equipment and therefore not covered. The auto carrier has agreed to pay half if the GL carrier will also. GL carrier says great, their share is $850 and it is a $1,000 deductible, so no recovery. Auto carrier says the GL carrier must agree to pay or they won’t. Auto carrier has a $500 deductible, so the insured may get $350 from them. Both carriers tell me they have no way to properly insure this loss. Any suggestions?"

Two observations. First, this is a textbook case of why you should try to put BAP and CGL with the same carrier. Second, the claim is either covered by the BAP or not; no 50% deal. Same for the CGL.  Assuming the bucket truck was not moving down the highway and was set up for work (raising the workers up and down), it sure looks like a CGL claim to me. See the policy wording below:

This exclusion does not apply to:
(5) "Bodily injury" or "property damage" 
    arising out of:
    (b) the operation of any of the machinery
        or equipment listed in Paragraph f.(2)
        or f.(3) of the definition of "mobile
        equipment".
 
f. Vehicles not described in Paragraph a., b., c.
   or d. above maintained primarily for purposes
   other than the transportation of persons or
   cargo.
   (2) Cherry pickers and similar devices mounted
       on automobile or truck chassis and used to
       raise or lower workers; and
   (3) Air compressors, pumps and generators,
       including spraying, welding, building
       cleaning, geophysical exploration,
       lighting and well servicing equipment.

While driving down the road, a bucket truck claim is a BAP claim. Once set up for operation, it’s CGL While a motor vehicle is not subject to MV laws, this chart applies.

Here are two other articles that demonstrate why it is usually a good idea to place CGL and BAP coverage with the same insurer:

Last Updated:  February 11, 2011