Adamo

Plaintiff Vincent Guy Adamo filed a claim under his homeowners policy after a wildfire damaged his 1,000-tree avocado grove, 10,000-gallon water tank, irrigation system, culverts, two woodsheds, and the landscaping on his property. His insurance carrier, defendant Fire Insurance Exchange (FIE), denied coverage for his avocado trees under a commercial use/farming exclusion, but paid him $116,000 for various damages, including the policy’s $53,100 policy limit under “Coverage B” for “other structures.” In this action Adamo asserted he was entitled to additional benefits for damages to the 10,000-gallon water tank, irrigation system, and culverts associated with his avocado growing operation under (1) “Coverage A” for structures that are “attached” to his dwelling; (2) subsection 1 of “Other Coverages” which included “other structures”; or (3) under Coverage A for “building equipment and outdoor equipment used for the service of and located at the Described Location.”

This matter came on for a bench trial on stipulated facts. Following trial the court ruled (1) the water tank, piping and other property were not “attached” for Coverage A to apply; (2) none of the property…