Georgia Property & Casualty Practice Exam

Which of the following would NOT be excluded under the maintenance or wear and tear exclusion common with property insurance policies?

1. Damage by animals owned by the insured

2. Deterioration

3. Rust

4. Lightning

The correct answer is: Lightning

The correct option indicates that damage caused by lightning would not be excluded under the maintenance or wear and tear exclusion commonly found in property insurance policies. This exclusion typically applies to gradual damages that result from normal usage, such as deterioration, rust, and damage caused by animals owned by the insured. Lightning strikes, however, are sudden and accidental events that fall under the perils usually covered by property insurance policies. Unlike wear and tear or chronic issues that develop over time due to lack of maintenance, lightning is an external force that can cause significant and immediate damage to property, necessitating coverage. Therefore, since lightning is classified as a covered peril, it would not be subject to the exclusions that are applied to maintenance-related damages, making it the correct answer to the question.