Mold is not only unsightly, it also causes major health issues. When it does, homeowners can often seek compensation from their insurance company.
Mold is a huge problem in many households. Once it sets in, it destroys anything it comes into contact with, and it is hazardous to the health of anyone who enters the home. Problems associated with mold in a home are often covered through the homeowners’ insurance policy. This allows homeowners to make the repairs necessary to their home as soon as their home requires them. Unfortunately, there is little insurance coverage available under these homeowners’ policies. Most Florida insurance policies limit coverage to only $10,000. Sometimes, insurance companies refuse to pay coverage out at all. This is considered bad faith and when it happens, homeowners can file a lawsuit against the insurance company.
The Hazardous Effects of Mold on Health
Mold is extremely detrimental to a person’s health. Although everyone reacts differently to the toxic substance, there are some common symptoms that people exposed to mold will exhibit. Some of these include a buildup of mucus, chest pain, sinus pain and pressure, fatigue, nose bleeds, headaches, chronic cough, and wheezing.
Additionally, some individuals are more sensitive to the toxicity of mold than others. Those most likely to experience problems include individuals with respiratory problems such as asthma or allergies, and individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those suffering from HIV.
Mold and Insurance Issues
There are several insurance issues associated with mold in a home. The first is that the coverage provided is typically too low. Most policies will not cover more than $10,000 in damage. Unfortunately, mold is often a silent problem and homeowners are not aware of it until it is much too late. By the time they realize the problem, the mold has spread extensively, and it will cost much more than $10,000 to fix. Many homeowners do not realize that another issue that caused the mold, such as a burst pipe, may also allow them to extend their coverage past the mold policy limits.
The other, and sometimes larger, insurance issue associated with mold is the fact that insurance companies often try to deny claims when a homeowner files one. They instead try to blame the homeowner for the mold, stating that the homeowner did not properly care for and maintain the property. This, they say, makes the homeowner ineligible for insurance coverage to help with their mold issue. This argument is often not right. In most cases, the homeowner did nothing to cause the mold, yet the insurance company is simply trying to hold onto more of their profits.
A Florida Personal Injury Attorney Can Help Homeowners Recover Their Losses
If you have mold in your home and your insurance company is refusing to pay for it, our Boca Raton personal injury lawyers can help. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, we can help homeowners recover what is rightfully theirs, and hold insurance companies responsible for paying maximum coverage. Call us today at (561) 995-1966 to schedule a free case review with one of our attorneys.
