RE: The Mold Myth
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RE: The Mold Myth - 6/10/2005 12:55:51 AM
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Wes
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Home base: Deerfield Beach, FL
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As stated in many posts. The mold situation is being abused by insurance companies, insureds, contractors, lawyers, doctors and I don't know who else. Mold needs to be excluded from all insurance policies or perhaps included for an additional premium. I am not even sure having a limit ($10,000 or so) in the policy is a good idea as it just opens up all sorts of issues about whats covered, whats not covered, what caused the mold and on and on.
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RE: The Mold Myth - 6/10/2005 1:36:37 AM
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Czar
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Home base: Columbus, Ohio
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I'm starting to see the trend in Ohio of a $10,000.00 limit on mold or excluded all together. In cases with the limit, the carriers are requiring the insured to contract the mold testing firm and "mold remediation" contractor themselves. In most cases due to the high cost from the pre-testing and remediation, the carriers have been cashing out the mold portions of the claim and leaving it up to the insured to have the work completed.
David:
As far the case that you quote (mind you three times), it would appear that all it took was for the people on the jury to ever be tenants of a slumlord that did not take care of their property. I would agree that some molds should be avoided if possible by people with respiratiory problems, elderly people, or small childern. But it still does not explain why the lady in the case you reference to did not take responsibility for herself and either move or complain to the proper organizations if she felt there was a problem. Instead she stayed wher she was and figured she would file suit.
Over the years, I have scoped losses where all the drywall was black with colorful hints of oranges, reds, and greens, with mushrooms growning in the carpet. Strange, during all of the hours completing scopes on these dangerous losses, I have never suffered asthma, cancer, or death.
Insurance compaies shouldn't take mold seriously they should just exclude it from their policy. Let homeowners take responsibility for their homes and it will all be an non-issue.
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RE: The Mold Myth - 6/10/2005 2:29:00 AM
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Wes
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Along the same lines as Czar is pointing out I don't know of a single sick mold remediator. I don't care how much safety equipment they pretend to wear to scare the homeowners. If you are a mold remediator you are exposed every day.
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RE: The Mold Myth - 6/10/2005 7:44:01 AM
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trader
Posts: 1203
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All of the 5-6 mold education classes I attended in 2000, were sponsered by the water extraction contractors. All of the CIC,s teaching the classes received thier CIC designation at a five day diploma school that cost $150.00 per day. Before they got thier diplomas they were the lead man driving the vans with the blowers and ozone machines (good tool for smoke odor).
It seems they are now doing catastrope adjusting and internet posting.
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RE: The Mold Myth - 6/10/2005 7:56:32 AM
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newtonclaimstim
Posts: 155
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Right On Trader
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RE: The Mold Myth - 6/10/2005 4:31:45 PM
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bmcqueen
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This is going to seem very strange from a person who works at a Plaintiff's firm and as a PA on a part-time basis, but Ranger and Trader are right on in terms of their analysis of mold claims and how they have impacted Texas. Bottom line, all Texans have suffered at the expense and profit of a few. There is simply no doubt in my mind that the mold crisis led to the virtual elimination of the HOB policy in Texas. The result has been very limited policies with high deductibles. The only people that have benefited in the long run have been and will be the insurance carriers. Consumers now have less protections and less options than existed previously. Adjusters, both IA's and PA's, now have far fewer claims to handle. Trader is also correct about the limited pursuit of a mold health case by a plaintiff's attorney. While there are many people who are allergic to practically everthing, mold included, that might experience an exacerbation of their respiratory distress upon prolonged exposure to mold, it is simply too difficult, expensive, and risky for a plaintiff's attorney working on a contingency fee to establish the degree to which the claimant's health condition was affected as a result of the mold exposure. I hope for the sake of consumers in other states that the carriers take an approach that is more in line with Ranger's proposition. We can all see that David.A is very excited at the $925,000 verdict from his multiple postings, but what do you expect from a guy who sells pre-paid legal for a living? In my opinion, both the jury award discussed in the article as well the Farmer's award in Texas are much more a reflection of the jury's disgust for the actions and/or inactions of the defendants involved in those respective cases than they are a reflection of the jury's assessment of value to the health consequences felt by the plaintiffs as a result of the mold exposure.
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RE: The Mold Myth - 7/2/2005 8:46:03 AM
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trader
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The staff and independants in the Houston Area are having a slim summer for assignments. No rain is over 30 days, no leaking roof coverage, therefore no inspections, and no mold coverage in the HO- A policy. Homeowners will not turn in plumbing leaks or AC evaporator coil leaks, fearing non renewal. The burglary claims are also down for the same reason. Just a dog bite case under section II once in a while.
< Message edited by trader -- 7/2/2005 3:13:36 PM >
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RE: The Mold Myth - 7/5/2005 10:36:00 AM
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ken8663
Posts: 6
Joined: 12/22/2004
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I live and work in Florida, performing fire & water emergency services & drying. And yes, we also perform mold remediation. There ARE responsible companies in this industry, we are one- and I compete with other responsible companies as well.
In the past 5 years, I've not seen any reduction in the amount of mold remediation work, or coverage being afforded for remediation of mold as related to a covered water event. These are continuing to be covered by (many) carriers. I should note also, that the carriers are agreeing to pay reasonable rates for these services- tyvek, airscubbers, hepa vacs, etc... Theses carriers often look to us to determine if an IH is needed to write protocol, and always want post testing done by an IH.
In my experiences, it is the carrier who is wanting "real remediation", when it's called for. These carriers are also requiring the companies to carry additional "mold" pollution coverages for the remediation companies.
It seems to me that the "runaway cost" problems are beginning to work themselves out, as carriers begin to acknowledge that the mold issue is not ever going to go away completely.
Regulation of mold remediation companies is coming in Florida (though a recent version of the bill was veto'd- it will return). This action will aid in cleansing some of the "bad apples" from the industry.
As for fancy cars, boats, big homes etc... can easily be had by a business owner who builds good relationships and generates satisfied customers.
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RE: The Mold Myth - 7/5/2005 1:09:47 PM
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trader
Posts: 1203
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All the good state of Florida needs to do to keep the insurance carriers in Florida is start placeing low limits on mold remediation cost. When the tyvek suits, negative air machines, mask and gloves fade out the word deadly will also fade out. Policy language should also include " sudden and accidental and occuring in this policy term" sentance.
We still pay to remove wet building materials in Texas, we don,t use the suits, negative air locks or CIC's we use common labor and dumpsters. Works real fine, no dead workers ever reported in my memory.
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RE: The Mold Myth - 7/5/2005 1:30:09 PM
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trader
Posts: 1203
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The problem in trying a mold case before a jury for the plaintiff is no medical doctors will testify for the plaintiff that one of several hundred common houshold molds caused the condition in the complaint. And the defense can keep all the medical out. The only thing left is policy limits for the repair cost. How is that a win ?
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RE: The Mold Myth - 7/12/2005 2:51:49 PM
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jdwmtx
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trader, I do agree with you to a certain extent, but you do have problems when the leak has hidden damages and the remediation contractors can be of help, if you get the right one, as this is the case with ANY type contractors or adjusters.
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RE: The Mold Myth - 5/13/2006 1:05:56 AM
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Storm Troopr
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Home base: Florida
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David, can you spell limit of liability? how about excluded?
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RE: The Mold Myth - 5/13/2006 11:56:30 AM
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trader
Posts: 1203
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Home base: Houston, TX
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I sure could use a good old mold remediation-rebuild loss loss like like the golden years of 1999-2003, but them smart elec insurance man done changed the language to read "sudden and accidental "has to be involved, "in this policy period", "discovered within 30 days" , "no allowance for testing", "no allowance for health concerns", "plumb not covered"... blah blah blah. Heck I spent $1,000.00 to get my CIH in a one week school and now it is worthless. Just like a Texas P & C License, what good is it if you can not make a living.
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RE: The Mold Myth - 5/14/2006 2:25:15 AM
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PORTASATGUY
Posts: 338
Joined: 9/15/2005
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its called "WATER DAMAGE" not Mold!
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R. Estes
Life is short LIVE IT!
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RE: The Mold Myth - 5/14/2006 3:23:59 PM
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newtonclaimstim
Posts: 155
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Should have watched the CEO of Allstate today on cspan it is all about the stockholder how they may use up to 25 indicators including credit reports to maximize profits.
< Message edited by newtonclaimstim -- 5/14/2006 3:29:42 PM >
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RE: The Mold Myth - 5/15/2006 12:11:35 PM
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tonyd46
Posts: 36
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Home base: Bacliff, texas
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In response to the "MOLD Issue", Mold has been around since god was in short pants. With out it we will all die. The insurance industry has delt with mold since it's conception. The problem is that the lawyers saw a cash cow and when it was over they will not allow it to die. The issue of mold is not complex it is a simple item to deal with, remove the wet area spray mildacide in the area allow to dry and it's gone. Mold is a living organism and without a food source it dies. If the insured does not do any mediation then of course it will grow till the dwelling is dried out. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. For two years i worked in California dealing with mold issues for a large carrier and the policy is very clear on the subject so why are we arguing it?
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RE: The Mold Myth - 5/15/2006 12:18:22 PM
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trader
Posts: 1203
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Roy, it was always called water damage, before it was called toxic mold. Now that is called water damage again is any special training needed for the adjusters and contractors working these claims ?
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RE: The Mold Myth - 5/18/2006 11:20:33 PM
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kmerian
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Joined: 7/20/2005
Home base: San Antonio, Tx
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DavidA
Better Read Forbes Magazine's article regarding MOLD and Dr. Mold. http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2005/0411/100.html
David, perhaps you should read the Texas Medical Associations report on Mold: http://www.nmhc.org/Content/ServeContent.cfm?ContentItemID=2682
They found no evidence mold causes any medical conditions, it can aggravate an existing condition (allergies) just like any spore. I have been in mold infested environments, and suffered no ill effects. Doctors have found most mold reactions to be purely psychosomatic or not caused by mold at all. BTW the company I work for excludes mold completely in its policies.
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RE: The Mold Myth - 6/12/2006 11:07:05 AM
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Fully_Loaded
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I have a mold remediation background and as said before there is a health hazard in some molds. Testing is also required to find toxic molds behind walls. The black stuff you see on the walls releases Mycotoxins which is what irritates the skin and lungs. Testing is required to find the molds that are behind the walls that you cannot see. Stachybotrys mold is the one that is "deadly" it grows in dark soaking wet places like behind walls. The 10,000 limit a lot of policies are putting on is fair because it is expensive to remove because of the dangers of some species of mold.
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RE: The Mold Myth - 6/12/2006 11:39:20 AM
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PORTASATGUY
Posts: 338
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quote:
ORIGINAL: trader
Roy, it was always called water damage, before it was called toxic mold. Now that is called water damage again is any special training needed for the adjusters and contractors working these claims ?
For the last 25 years I have called it Water damage Trader. No Special Training with the exception and the Knowledge of KNOWING that Damp conditions Will Create Mold. and When Replacing Drywall, or whatever, I ALWAYS use a line item to Microbal Treatment for ANY water damages, Weather Mold is present or not.!
So to answer your Questions Trader, No there is not any special Training, MOST ALL STORMS REQUIRE that if in Fact you have MOLD in your claim to Contct the Storm manager. AND MOST STORM MANAGERS tell you to Exclude the WORDING MOLD, and Be sure to include a solid Antimicrobal treatment in your Estimate. If its in the Carpet or Flooring Obviosly there is Damages to the Flooring.
Mold is a direct cause of some type of water damage loss, this includes Dampness, Water intrusion, Percipitation, and Humidity, its all Water Damages!
_____________________________
R. Estes
Life is short LIVE IT!
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