Should departments of insurance approve forms which limit the amount of mold damage from a covered peril? A new Department of Insurance Bulletin from Louisiana addresses this issue and will be discussed today at Friday at 2 With Chip Merlin.
Continue Reading Should Mold Sub-Limits Be Applicable and Remote Public Adjuster Instruction—Important Claims Trends and Questions Answered At Friday At 2 With Chip Merlin

In Texas, when you have a mold problem you get an inspection, then a remediation. If you find yourself fighting with your insurance company, you may need a lawyer. I have come across several cases in the last few weeks where property owners had mold issues stemming from hailstorms and windstorms that caused leaks. Their insurance companies took so long to pay the claims that the leaks grew into mold problems.

Continue Reading It is Important to Determine the Right Cause of Action When You Have Mold Damage

It’s common that water losses produce mold if not properly remediated. Time and time again, you hear that mold, fungus or wet rot is a common exclusion in homeowners insurance policies. The question is simple- is mold covered or not? The simple answer is that in most policies mold that happens over time is not usually covered. However, in some instances, it may be argued that mold may be covered under an insurance policy when it is a result of a covered loss and is the result or proximate cause of the covered loss.

Continue Reading Mold Exclusions – Absolute or Not?

People across the country are becoming increasingly educated regarding the health risks associated with mold exposure. The insurance industry implemented many wording changes in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s after an increase of mold damage submissions in conjunction with covered water damage claims.

Continue Reading California Insurance Code Section 530 May Protect Policyholders Who Suffer a Covered Peril that Causes Mold

Property policies usually include a mold exclusion. Water damage, however, is a commonly covered “cause of loss.” Mold growth and water infiltration have a close causal tie, and there has been a raging dispute in the industry over whether property policies respond to mold losses when water infiltration, a covered cause of loss, caused or contributed to the mold. The debate is complicated by fairly common exclusionary language that incorporates an “ensuing loss” exception:.

We do not cover loss caused by:

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(2) rust, rot, mold or other fungi. …

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We do cover ensuing loss caused by collapse of the building or any part of the building, water damage, or breakage of glass which is part of the building if the loss would otherwise be covered under this policy.


Continue Reading Is Ensuing Mold Damage Covered? – Breaking Down Your Homeowners Insurance Policy

Should Florida create a fourth state-run Insurance entity to cover sinkhole losses? This question was recently reported on by Julie Patel of the Sun-Sentinel. The question was raised during an Office of Insurance Regulation symposium held in Orlando. The attendees were primarily those in the insurance industry—insurance consumers are usually at work during the day.

Continue Reading What Will Sinkhole and Mold Claims Have in Common?