The Case of the Courier’s Coverage

Economic times were tough. After my stocks in Exxon Mobile Phones and Hairy Pottery classes tanked, I was forced to make a few concessions. But no matter how many hours I grazed on free samples at Whole Foods before they kicked me out, I just couldn’t save enough money. So I decided to take on a roommate.

Only two men responded to my Craigslist ad: “Wanted, impeccably clean roommate with enough common sense not to touch my Lady Di commemorative plate collection.”

The first applicant was Pete, a man I distasted for his distaste for personal grooming. When I asked him about his last roommate, he said, “She was a horrible dresser and a lousy cook. Regardless, I sure will miss Mom.”

The other applicant, Sam, sported a fine suit and a tan of rich mahogany. He eyeballed the living room for several minutes before breaking the ice as subtly as the Titanic. “Your place is a dump, but then again, I’m not surprised.”

“So,” I countered, “if you move in today I’ll give you first-shower privileges for a week.”

His laughter made the crack in my ceiling open another three inches. “Me? Move in here? You must be joking. I saw your ad and wanted to see where the great Ace Insura lived.”

“Do I know you?”

“No, but I know you. We studied your case files at the first insurance agency I worked at. Now I run my own agency, where I no longer waste my time reading your pedantic work.”

“Oh, I see. You know it all now, do you?”

“Indeed,” he said. “Insurance is easy. Even the most complex issues have easy answers. Like this one client of mine who is starting a letter courier service for important people, like myself, who need important documents delivered on time. So I covered the auto under a PPA, and offered him inland marine coverage for documents that have any monetary value. I slapped on general liability coverage for accidental bodily injury or property damage while entering or exiting buildings, and presto. But then he asked for insurance in case he can’t make a deadline because of an unforeseen circumstance, such as an accident. So I say, ‘No worries. It’s covered in general liability.’ Slam, bam, thank you Sam.”

“Sam,” I said, “You may want to rethink that slam and bam. The hole in that coverage is so big, you could drive a herd of cattle through it.”

What hole did Ace see, and where would he find a herd of cattle at this time of the day? I

Check your solution against Ace’s here.