Opinion
41737.
SUBMITTED JANUARY 6, 1966.
DECIDED JANUARY 25, 1966.
Action on insurance policy. Chatham Superior Court. Before Judge McWhorter.
Lewis Javetz, Harris Lewis, for appellant.
Findley, Shea, Gannam, Head Buchsbaum, Aaron L. Buchsbaum, for appellee.
The plaintiff in this case was the insured under a comprehensive liability policy issued by the defendant to "Home Builders, R. M. Kuhr, d/b/a" as named insured and showing that "Business of the named insured is Contractor." One of the coverages of the policy was "Property Damage Liability — Except Automobile," which provided that the insurer "Agrees with the insured . . . To pay on behalf of the insured all sums which the insured shall become legally obligated to pay as damages because of injury to or destruction of property, including the loss of use thereof, caused by accident."
A petition was filed against the insured which alleged that while the defendant was engaged in making repairs on the petitioner's home he removed part of the roof to place weatherstripping therein and negligently left the roof uncovered; a seasonal rain occurred and damaged the petitioner's property, due to the insured's negligence in failing to protect the roof against rainstorms at a time when a rainstorm could have been foreseen. The insured notified the insurer of the suit but the insurer declined to defend it. The insured retained counsel to defend the suit, and a verdict was rendered against the insured. The insured brings this action against the insurer for the amount of the judgment and expenses incurred in defense of the action, for breach of the insurer's contract obligation to pay the insured's legal liability for damages and to defend the suit. The insurer appeals from the trial court's judgment overruling its general demurrers to the petition of the insured. Held:
The term "accident" in liability insurance contracts generally does not include an injury deliberately and wilfully done, but generally covers injuries caused by negligence of the insured. Aetna Cac. c. Co. v. Starrett, 102 Ga. App. 278, 280 ( 115 S.E.2d 641); Sontag v. Galer, 279 Mass. 309 ( 181 N.E. 182); Travelers Ins. Co. v. Reed Co., (Tex.Civ.App.) 135 S.W.2d 611, 616; Rex Roofing Co. v. Lumber Mut. Cas. Ins. Co. of N. Y., 116 NYS2d 876, 878; Larsen v. General Cas. Co. of Wisconsin, 99 F. Supp. 300, 302 (D. Minn. 151); Knight v. L. H. Bossier, Inc., (La.) 118 So.2d 700; 7A Appleman, Insurance Law and Practice, 7, § 4492. Such contracts cover the risks incidental to the occupation in which the insured is engaged, and negligence on the part of the insured which causes or contributes to the injury or damage is not a defense. Cross v. Zurich General Accident Liability Ins. Co., 184 F.2d 609, 611 (7th Cir. 1950); Koch v. Ocean Accident Guaranty Corp., 313 Ky. 220 ( 230 S.W.2d 893); Moore v. Fidelity Cas. Co. of N.Y., 140 Cal.App.2d 967 ( 295 P.2d 154).
The damages for which the insured became liable in this case were covered by the insurance contract alleged. The trial court did not err in overruling the general demurrers to the petition of the insured.
Judgment affirmed. Nichols, P. J., and Deen, J., concur.