An insured’s building is hit by 50-mph winds which push open a door. As a result, snow drifts in and damages the wooden dancefloor. 

The property coverage form appears to only provide coverage if the building or structure first sustains damage to the roof or walls from a covered cause of loss, such as wind, rain or snow.

Q: Is it typical for insurers to exclude property damage to the interior of a building when a door is pushed open by wind? 

Response 1: Yes, it's typical. You’ll find this wording—or something similar—in almost every commercial property policy in the marketplace. 

Are you sure the lock or latch wasn’t broken? Wind is a covered peril, but you have to prove it damaged the building to get coverage for your claim. If the door just blew open because the lock was faulty or it wasn't closed correctly, there’s no coverage.

Response 2: Yes, it is typical. As noted in the policy wording, the insurer requires actual damage to the building, such as wind propelling a branch through a window, before it will pay for damage to the interior.

I don't think wind pushing a door open would constitute damage to the exterior of the building. If the wind blew the door open by damaging the mechanism that keeps the door shut or even its hinges, that would constitute damage to the exterior of the building. 

Response 3: If the door simply opened without sustaining damage first, that doesn't sound like it would trigger coverage.

Response 4: The insurer is correct to deny coverage. Coverage requires exterior damage. It would be impossible to distinguish between a door that is accidentally left open versus blown open. 

Response 5: As you stated, there must be damage to the building before wind-driven rain is covered as a cause of damages inside the building.  

Response 6: This exclusion is not unusual. Did the lock on the door break as a result of the wind, allowing it to fly open? Or did the door jam give way? If so, that would be classified as damage to the building.

Response 7: The wording is clear, which is surprising! Damage to the property must occur because of the wind or peril. Otherwise, insurers would field numerous questionable claims for coverage on lamps and other items sustaining damage due to wind entering the interior through open windows or doors.

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