HO 04 27 04 02 Coverage

[Msradell]

I have a HO 04 27 04 02 rider (mold, mildew & rot coverage) on my homeowner's policy. I recently observed some window frames that had rotten sections of wood. These are on a western exposure first and second floor, eight windows total. I contacted my insurance company and filed a claim. They had an adjuster come out and denied the claim based on the fact I didn't have any mold! I contacted them after this land inform them that I realized I didn't have mold but the wood was deteriorated due to rot. They then had a structural engineer come out in review the windows. I was just informed that they are again denying the claim. I don't have a copy of his report but so I don't know exactly what he saw.

By reading this policy section it says it covers problems caused by repeated seepage of water which obviously caused this problem. Should I pursue further actions with my insurance company? If so how?

 

[joshb]

I have a HO 04 27 04 02 rider (mold, mildew & rot coverage) on my homeowner's policy. I recently observed some window frames that had rotten sections of wood. These are on a western exposure first and second floor, eight windows total. I contacted my insurance company and filed a claim. They had an adjuster come out and denied the claim based on the fact I didn't have any mold! I contacted them after this land inform them that I realized I didn't have mold but the wood was deteriorated due to rot. They then had a structural engineer come out in review the windows. I was just informed that they are again denying the claim. I don't have a copy of his report but so I don't know exactly what he saw.

By reading this policy section it says it covers problems caused by repeated seepage of water which obviously caused this problem. Should I pursue further actions with my insurance company? If so how?

It will be tough for other to give you advice on this particular situation, without first seeing all of the facts involved. They may be right to deny the claim, or they may be wrong, but without all of the facts its impossible to give good advice. My advice is to contact the state's office of insurance regulation, and see if they can be of further assistance.

The letter denying the claim that you received, what did that say for why they are denying the claim and what section of the policy did it point to?

 

[Sales71]

Call the claim department have your adjuster explain why it's not covered.

 

[djs]

What caused the problem?
Endorsements are unique on a state level and are almost always somewhat carrier specific. Its hard for anyone, especially outside your home state, to give any specific advice.

My guess is, only mold, mildew or rot from certain causes are covered. Mold, mildew or rot from lack of routine maintanence would not be covered. I'm basing this on your description, that it is probably a lack of proper routine caulking, or something similar, is what the carrier is going to state.

Read the endorsement carefully. See what it says about occurance, cause, or if there are any exclusions.

Dan

 

[Sales71]

Rot in wood seems like an issue of poor maintainable moister reduction installation, so that is not covered by home insurance.

 

[Guest]

Rotten wood is a maintance condition,

The mold issue and deteriation etc would be a result of water damage.

 

[NCAgent]

Just like many other things in HO coverages, it has to be from a covered claim usually for something like this to be covered. Did pipes burst after taking due care to make sure they don't? Water backup and sump pump covered? Mold should be, too, with that endorsement.

Regrigerated property endorsements work the same way (at least in my states) where the property doesn't get replaced unless a claim did it. Lightning strikes and power goes out, sure. If the fridge breaks down and loses cooling abilities because of no maintenance, nope, no coverage.Rot is just poor/no maintenance (no offense intended) without an underlying covered peril.