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Richard & Tina Veilleux v. Concord General Mutual Insurance Company

Held March 29, 2012– Docket No. INS-12-2024
Decision Issued:  April 13, 2012

The named insured requested a hearing to contest the nonrenewal of homeowners insurance for a negligent fire loss.  The company demonstrated that the actions of attaching a heat lamp to a cardboard box for chicks and leaving it unattended for a weekend trip were negligent, and resulted in a fire.

Held: For the company. 24-A M.R.S.A. § 3049(4) allows for cancellation or nonrenewal of a homeowners policy upon discovery of negligent acts or omissions by the insured that greatly increase any of the hazards insured against. A fire occurred when a cardboard box containing newspapers and wood shavings ignited from the heat lamp attached to it, which was left on while the insureds were away. As the company met all statutory requirements, the nonrenewal was permitted.