Does the Average Homeowner's Insurance Cover Black Mold?
Molds are common to humid areas of the United States, but many people may not be aware that black mold (aka toxic mold) can cause health issues to a home's inhabitants and cause damage to the home itself if left untreated. Stachybotrys chartarum is the black/green mold that has caused insurance liability issues with homeowners who have gone so far as to burn down their home to get rid of the toxic mold and the problems it has caused.
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Insurance Limitations
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Since molds are preventable if noticed and treated properly, insurance carriers have limited their liability. When mold problems have grown out of control, and a homeowner has had to do extensive and high-cost repairs on his home, lawsuits have been filed against insurers who have refused to pay benefits. In 2001, more than $1.2 billion dollars were paid out (by insurance companies) in connection with black mold. This covered testing, inspections, attorney fees and damage resulting from neglectful builders. Such high costs have caused some insurance companies to exclude mold issues from coverage.
Molds in the Environment
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Molds are a part of our ecosystem. They have two jobs to perform. The first job is to consume organic materials in our environment. These consist of the decay of wood, leaves, paper, drywall, dust, cloth and any other cellulose containing material. Their second job is to reproduce. They thrive in moist, warm areas, where they release spores. Weather reports will give information on air quality by giving pollen and spore counts. When these counts are high, people with respiratory diseases can decide to stay inside, where the air should be cleaner.
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What Are Toxic Molds?
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Toxic molds are poisonous molds that grow in damp areas (such as basements and bathrooms). If mold is treated at the onset, no problems or damage will occur. Where toxic mold is allowed to grow, spores release microtoxins into the air. These toxic spores can cause severe reactions in people with asthma or other respiratory-related health problems. Microtoxins have caused severe respiratory problems in people with no health issues.
Prevention
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Awareness and good ventilation is the best way to prevent mold from growing and damaging home and health. Check bathroom and kitchen plumbing pipes often, especially inside cabinetry. After storms occur, keep fans running for extra ventilation. Use a dehumidifier in basements or known damp areas to control moisture. Damp areas must be allowed to dry out, but if mold is found growing, the affected area will need to be removed and replaced. Inspect attics and crawl spaces where people do not usually go.
Black Mold on the Rise
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Since 2001, black mold cases have increased. The amount of lawsuits are now in the billions, and growing. Insurance companies cannot afford to cover black mold issues, so most of the lawsuits are being aimed at landlords, property owners and builders. Property owners should reduce liability as much as possible by seeing if their insurance carriers will allow them to buy a separate policy for mold issues. They can schedule regular inspection of the property to look for potential mold growth. They can also add a clause to their lease making the tenant responsible for reporting mold growth.
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