Anti-Concurrent Causation Clauses: Why The Value Of Your Property Coverage May Depend On Your State

A powerful storm pummels your city with high winds and heavy rains. After more than two days of intense wind and rain, the saturated hill behind your factory finally gives way and crashes into it. The building is severely damaged and your business operations are put on hold pending repairs. You need insurance money fast and file a claim with your property carrier.

Even though the policy doesn't exclude property damage caused by wind or rain, it does contain an exclusion for earth movement "regardless of any other cause or event that contributes concurrently or in any sequence to the loss." The carrier denies coverage because of the earth movement exclusion.  Is the carrier right? As it turns out, the answer may depend on which state's law is used to interpret your policy.