Coverage Denial Affirmed Based on Exclusion for 'Wear and Tear'

LOS ANGELES - Homeowners were not entitled to coverage for water damage and mold resulting from prolonged leakage from a shower pan where their homeowner's policy excluded coverage for defects or 'wear and tear' of plumbing fixtures, a California appellate court ruled on March 29. Yellin v. Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club (No. B177446 (Calif. App., 2nd Dist.).

Jacob and Sylvia Yellin sued for coverage after Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club denied coverage for damage the Yellins first discovered in their second floor bathroom in October 2002.

The Yellins say they wrote to IEAC in October 2002, but …