Court Rules Insured's Loss Caused by Vandalism, Not Contamination

TACOMA, Wash. - Basing its decision on a mold contamination case, an appeals court ruled that damage caused by tenants to a rental property is covered as vandalism under the property owner's insurance policy, even though the damage was invisible contamination. Harry Graff, respondent, v. Allstate Insurance Company, appellant, No. 28176-7-II (Wash. Ct. App., Div. II).

According to the Oct. 4 opinion, the damage caused by tenants who used a rented house as a methamphetamine laboratory could not be excluded under the insurance policy's contamination clause because the resulting invisible contamination was measurable and was caused by intentional acts in …