What is Black Mold?

Common Symptoms 

Immediate Response Required

Roles of Adjusters and Experts

Common Breeding Grounds

As the expert in claims handling and policy coverage's, it is the adjuster's responsibility to seek out and identify any and all damage covered in the loss - either alone or with the assistance of the contractor - and then to extend to the insured any and all benefits available under the policy. This responsibility means including in the scope of damage any visually identifiable mold in a covered loss as possibly a part of the loss. Unless the adjuster can determine that the mold in a covered loss either pre-existed the loss or is not a result of the covered water damage, the mold has to be considered as part of the loss. Denial of the mold contamination as being excluded under the policy, either subject to the standard mold exclusion or as not being part of the covered loss itself, requires that the adjuster prove and document the basis for the denial.

Relative to the insured, the adjuster is operating from a position of superior knowledge on what should be expected in the way of damage, and what damage is or is not covered under the policy. Many adjusters see water damage claims on a frequent basis and have a much better idea than the insured on what might be damaged and where to look for hidden damages. If the adjuster is in doubt or lacks sufficient experience, he or she should work closely with the insured's contractor and make sure the scope of damage is complete.