What Has Been The Effect To Date of Mold Claims and Litigation On The Insurance Industry?
Recent surveys and commentary from attorneys, insurance industry representatives, government agencies, claims consultants, industrial hygienists, environmental consultants, and a study of recent jury awards, can leave no doubt that there has been a significant and costly increase in the number of mold-related complaints, claims, and litigation in recent years. The trend is expected by many industry experts to continue for at least the immediate future. Historical claim trends specific to mold are difficult to establish because many mold-related claims are often presented and processed as water damage claims, sick building (related to indoor air quality) claims, or construction defect claims. Insurers are beginning to separately track mold-related claims. In an attempt to quantify increases in frequency and severity, some insurers may have to review historical water damage, sick building and construction defect claims to determine which of these may have been mold-related. Although evid
