Video -Mold Not Covered By Most Insurance Companies

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Mold Not Covered By Most Insurance Companies

WLTX-TV Columbia

http://www.wltx.com/sports/story.aspx?storyid=45418

(Richland County)- A Blythewood woman says mold is growing inside

her home, but her insurance policy does not cover mold removal.

" I didn't know that anything was going wrong, " explained Frona

Haddad, who says a plumber spotted mold growing underneath her home

while fixing a burst pipe.

Haddad, who has limited mobility due to multiple sclerosis, says she

began to notice mold growing inside her closet, black spots on her

carpet, weak floor boards and an unusual cough coming from her

cats. " Then I started to cough and sneeze, " said Haddad. " My voice

was getting deeper, and I didn't know what to do. "

Haddad says she filed a claim with Allstate; however, an agent

informed her that mold was not covered under her policy. Haddad, who

relies on a disability check, says she cannot afford to pay for the

mold to be removed from her home.

" It's important to realize that there are some things—they are few

and far in between—that are not covered by the homeowner's policy, "

explained Larry Lucas, a State Farm Insurance Agent. " Mold, mildew,

rot and long-term damage have always been excluded. "

" Typically, something that happens suddenly, like an accidental type

of damage that happens immediately, a ruptured pipe for instance, is

covered under homeowner's policy, " explained Lucas. However, he says

most insurance providers would not cover mold that grows as a result

of an undetected leak.

According to Lucas, routine home inspections help homeowners

discover problems that could eventually lead to mold growth. He

suggests checking for leaks underneath homes and near air-

conditioning units.

" I would like to know who checks under their home every week, " said

Haddad. " I didn't know anything was wrong. "