[bimmertl]

While the golfers wife may have offered to call her insurance company, don't expect the insurance company to pay for the damages. Most likely result will be a denial of the claim based upon the fact the golfer is not legally liable for the damages.

The liability section of the homeowners policy reimburses others for damages caused by negligence of the insured. In order for liability to arise from such an event, the golfer must be negligent. Hitting an errant golf shot is a common occurence and something that happens to even the best golfers.

Negligence is generally defined as failing to act with prudence that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances. Reasonable golfers hit errant shots on occasion so such an occurence doesn't meet a negligence standard.

So your neighbor can expect a denial from the HO carrier.