Water Damage to Personal Property

Q

We insure the tenant of a house under an HO 00 04 05 01, with broad form named perils on his personal property. Recently, a windstorm blew water into the house through a crack in the wall. Incidentally, the crack in the wall was not caused by the windstorm. Since the insured was away at the time, the water caused mildew damage to his furniture.

The insurer has denied coverage, stating that mildew is excluded. We believe it should be covered under the windstorm peril.

May we have your opinion?

Florida Subscriber.

A

Unfortunately, there is no coverage for the loss you describe. You said that the crack in the wall could not have been caused by the windstorm. That rules out coverage under the peril of “windstorm and hail.”

Some insurers are selling open perils coverage on tenants' policies. This coverage would have responded to the loss.

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