Posted in Blog, General, Jack S. White, News & Articles
For example, your adult daughter drops off your 3-year old granddaughter as she has returned to work for the last several months and you are watching your granddaughter each work day. If your granddaughter was injured, your renter’s or homeowner’s coverage (despite providing for coverage for injuries to others) is likely inapplicable because of exclusion language for “providing child care on a regular basis.” Most people believe that this policy language was only meant to cover licensed daycare facilities, babysitting multiple children, or a formalized daycare arrangement. Several courts around the country have upheld a denial of insurance coverage for young children who were receiving “babysitting” by a friend /relative who was only receiving token payments and the child was the only person being watched. This “child care services” exclusion may now be a standard provision in State Farm Homeowner’s Insurance policies.
In conclusion, you should check with your insurance agent if you are more than “occasionally” watching any child in your home; this is regardless of whether you are being compensated or not. There may be additional coverage you can purchase. If you are in this unfortunate situation and your insurance company denies the claim, you should consult a lawyer as there may be a means to challenge it. However, checking with your Nashua insurance agent is the best precaution so as to avoid this unfortunate situation which endangers your home and other assets.
This blog is intended for informational use only. The information contained herein should not be construed as offering legal advice or a legal opinion.