Georgia Property & Casualty Practice Exam

Property damage caused by wear and tear is typically excluded under which category?

1. maintenance

2. flood damage

3. earthquake damage

4. intentional acts

The correct answer is: maintenance

The correct answer is maintenance, as property damage resulting from wear and tear is generally categorized under maintenance issues. Most insurance policies explicitly exclude coverage for damage arising from normal deterioration, which is a common consequence of regular use over time. Insurers typically consider this type of damage to be a result of insufficient maintenance rather than an insurable peril. Therefore, maintaining properties and managing wear and tear falls on the property owner and is not something that insurance is designed to cover. In contrast, flood damage, earthquake damage, and intentional acts have specific terms and provisions within insurance policies that may provide coverage under certain conditions, but wear and tear is explicitly excluded from coverage in standard property insurance policies. Consequently, it is important for property owners to regularly maintain their properties to prevent such damage and to understand what is covered by their insurance to avoid unwanted surprises in the event of a claim.