When Does Digging Become Excavating?

NewL

I've got a new remodeling/repair/construction business in southern Oregon and have been getting prospective jobs for additions. Being new, my insurance is already pricey >$7500/yr. Excavating was not one of the covered items (I may be able to add it). I grew up on a nursey/landscape business and have thousands of hours operating heavy equipment so digging a 24" deep trench for a foundation/slab is a minor thing. I inquired about local excavators and the general concensus was that they may not have time for the little stuff. Is there a depth you can dig to before the insurance company worries? How many of you dig your own foundations?

Chuck

jmic

As I'm sure you're aware as soon as you sink the teeth of a bucket into the earth there's the risk of coming up with all kinds of neat stuff ( utilities ) that can be costly to repair and also could cause bodily harm. With this said and all the liability involved I'm sure your insurance co. would balk at a substancial claim if you ever had one related to excavation which they were not informed of by your company. This is my opinion, if it's even worth 2 cents.
Joe

Glasshousebltr

Digging becomes excavating about the same way justice becomes freedom. Neither will sufficiently explain any present circumstance.

Bob

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Bob

PipeGuy

Don't count on the Insurance companies to worry about things you're supposed to - they won't. If you have a loss because of exposure to risks they haven't been made aware of, they're not going to provide you benefits.

If you're not confident in your own understanding of your coverages, or otherwise capable of reading and interpreting your policy provisions, then you should call your agent and ask questions.

I've seen a fiber-optic line, with only a foot of cover, that ran from Andrews Air Force Base to NSA through someone's front yard. I've seen a 16" water main only 24" off the corner of a house, with barely three feet of cover. If you dig enough holes, no matter how shallow, you'll eventually find an electric, gas or phone line you didn't expect. Rule of thumb - don't expose yourself to risks that you can't afford to pay for either in cash or insurance premiums.