Appeals Court Rules Mold Caused By Covered Event Not Excluded Under Standard Form Exclusions

PHOENIX - According to a recently published opinion, an appeals court reversed a trial court's ruling that a homeowners' insurance carrier can deny coverage for mold damage under standard form exclusions even if the mold was caused by a covered event. Carla Liristis, et al., v. American Family Mutual Insurance Company, No. 1 CA-CV 00-0539 (Ariz. Ct. App., Div. One).

In reversing the trial court's ruling, the appeals court found that if the homeowners can prove a causal connection between a covered event and mold damage, then the losses-not-covered provisions do not apply and the mold damage is covered.

According …