What are the implications regarding mould?
Towards the latter part of 2002, professional indemnity insurers in the United Kingdom started to exclude cover for ‘toxic mould’. A number of large legal actions had been brought in the USA alleging mould-related illness and UK insurers were concerned at the time that mould could become the next ‘Asbestos’. Their reaction was to add exclusions to UK PI Policies relating to ‘Mould’ – as defined in the policy wording. Today, PI Insurers are slightly less concerned about mould claims (at least for work outside USA / Canada) and a limited number of PI insurers for Architects will consider providing some cover, sometimes subject to completion of a satisfactory questionnaire. No cover is usually provided for claims arising from work in the USA or Canada. Some PI policies still have a full exclusion for mould claims. This general guidance does not replace the need for specific expert advice to be taken where appropriate nor does it lessen an architect’s responsibility for decisions in relati
