The situation
While installing cabinets, a contractor accidentally drills into a water pipe. Water damages the customer’s flooring and walls, and the customer expects the contractor to pay. The contractor should document the scene, take reasonable steps to prevent further damage and report the incident promptly—without admitting liability or promising payment.
情境
承包商安裝櫥櫃時意外鑽穿水管，漏水損壞客戶的地板和牆壁，客戶要求承包商負責賠償。承包商應記錄現場情況、採取合理措施防止損失擴大，並盡快報告事故；不要自行承認責任或承諾賠償。
Which coverage may respond?
Commercial General Liability may respond to covered third-party property damage arising from the contractor’s operations, including defence costs and damages for which the business is legally liable. Whether coverage responds depends on the facts, policy wording, exclusions, deductible and limits.
哪種保障可能適用？
商業綜合責任保險（CGL）可能保障因承包商作業而導致的第三方財產損失，包括承保範圍內的抗辯費用，以及企業依法須承擔的賠償。是否受保取決於具體事實、保單條款、除外責任、自付額及保額。
Resulting damage versus faulty work
CGL is not a warranty for the contractor’s own work. The cost to redo defective work may be excluded even when separate resulting damage—such as water damage to the customer’s flooring—may be considered. These distinctions are highly fact- and wording-specific.
衍生損害與不良工程的分別
CGL 並不是承包商自身工程的保證。重新完成有缺陷工程的費用可能不受保障，但由此引起的其他損害，例如漏水造成客戶地板受損，則可能需要另行考慮。實際結果高度取決於事實及保單條款。
Questions to discuss with your broker
Does the policy accurately describe all operations? Are subcontractors used, and are certificates and written agreements collected? Are completed operations, contractual liability, tools and installation risks addressed? Review these points before the next job—not after a loss.
可向保險經紀提出的問題
保單是否準確描述所有業務活動？是否聘用分包商，並收集其保險證明及書面協議？是否已考慮完工責任、合同責任、工具及安裝風險？這些問題應在下一個工程開始前檢視，而不是事故發生後才處理。