Executive Summary
- In many modern homeowners forms (e.g., HO‑3–style policies), the “falling objects” peril and its roof/exterior‑wall condition are placed in Coverage C – Personal Property.
- The dwelling (Coverage A) is insured on an open‑perils basis (subject to exclusions). Because the roof/wall condition is written under Coverage C, it generally does not restrict Coverage A.
- Result: Dropped or falling items that damage structural or permanently installed parts of the home—floors, countertops, built‑ins, windows, etc.—are often covered as a direct physical loss to the dwelling, unless a separate exclusion applies.
- Conversely, personal property (TVs, laptops, decor) damaged by a falling object is often not covered unless the object first damages the roof or an exterior wall and enters through that opening (policy‑dependent).
How the Policy Is Organized (Why Placement Matters)
- Coverage A – Dwelling (Open‑Perils / “All‑Risk”)
Insures the structure and permanently installed components against all risks of direct physical loss unless excluded. There is no requirement that a falling object come through the roof or wall, because that condition isn’t written here. - Coverage C – Personal Property (Named Perils)
Lists Falling Objects as a peril with a special condition: interior damage is covered only if the falling object first damages the roof or an outside wall and enters through the opening. This condition modifies Coverage C, not Coverage A.
Takeaway: A dropped weight that cracks the tile floor or quartz countertop is typically a dwelling loss. Breaking a television is a personal property claim—often defeated unless an exterior opening exists.
Practical Coverage Consequences
- Flooring: hardwood, tile, stone, LVP — chips, cracks, gouges, impact dents.
- Countertops: granite, quartz, marble — cracks, fractures, edge chips.
- Built‑ins / cabinetry: splintered doors, broken drawers, damaged face frames or shelves.
- Glazing: window panes, sliders, fixed glass broken by impact.
- Kitchen & bath fixtures: porcelain/ceramic sinks, tubs, toilets cracked by dropped items.
- Cooktops & appliance glass: glass‑top/induction surfaces fractured by a pot.
- Fireplace/hearths & mantels: stone/brick chipping or fractures.
- Movable items (TVs, laptops, decor) unless the falling object first created an opening by damaging the roof or an outside wall and then entered through that opening (form‑specific).
Example of Policy Wording (Model Language — Not Tied to Any One Insurer)
Falling Objects (Coverage C – Personal Property). We cover direct physical loss to personal property caused by falling objects. However, damage to the interior of a building or to personal property in the building is covered only if a falling object first damages the roof or an outside wall of the building and enters through an opening created by that damage.
This condition does not apply to Coverage A – Dwelling. Loss to the building itself, including floors, walls, ceilings, and permanently installed fixtures, is covered unless otherwise excluded.
Frequent Insurer Positions — And the Counterpoints
Counterpoint: The condition appears in the Coverage C peril and grammatically modifies personal property, not Coverage A’s open‑perils grant.
Counterpoint: Sudden, accidental impact differs from gradual marring; exclusions are applied narrowly to acute impacts vs. progressive conditions.
Counterpoint: The event is an object moving from higher to lower and causing direct physical loss. Origin (inside vs. outside) is typically not controlling for Coverage A absent an exclusion.
Short, Plain‑Language Explainer
- The roof/wall rule lives in the personal property section.
- Floors, counters, built‑ins, glass, fixtures are part of the dwelling and often covered for sudden impact damage.
- Damage to movable items is often denied unless a falling object came through a roof or outside wall opening made by that object.
- Always read your actual policy and endorsements; wording and state law govern.
Non‑Verbatim HO‑3 Placement Note
ISO‑style HO‑3 forms place the Falling Objects peril—and the roof/exterior‑wall interior‑damage condition—within Coverage C (Personal Property). Coverage A (Dwelling) is open‑perils, limited by exclusions. That placement difference explains the coverage distinction summarized above.
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Disclaimer
This site is informational and not legal advice. Policy wording and state law vary.