Asbestos Siding Insurance

Intact asbestos siding on your home poses no health risk as long as it is undisturbed.

Asbestos siding insurance.

Homeowners insurance policies have an exclusion for pollution which generally prevents you from being reimbursed for cleaning up pollutants including asbestos in your home. It also doesn t burn which is great for insurance companies. Since asbestos siding was a common building material form the 1930 s until the 1970 s we have many homes that were constructed or the exterior was upgraded during that era. Both the epa and the vinyl siding institute recommend not disturbing asbestos if at all possible.

Asbestos siding is also non friable which means it s not releasing dust into the air. If it is asbestos you should have a talk with your real estate agent and possibly lawyer. Some insurance providers cancelling policies due to asbestos. Unfortunately some insurance companies will not insure a home with asbestos siding so it may increase the difficulty and cost of acquiring homeowner s insurance.

View entire discussion 13 comments more posts from the homeimprovement community. In certain parts of the country major insurance providers are refusing to insure homes where asbestos is present not wishing to assume the risk associated with the mineral which can cause cancer when its fibers are inhaled. For the most part asbestos isn t covered by homeowner s insurance. Have an asbestos abatement contractor do it for you.

If you are absolutely unwilling to have asbestos siding you are legally allowed to remove it yourself from your own home in the state of minnesota. Inability to match siding following a loss. Unless asbestos siding is disturbed it doesn t pose a significant health hazard and does not need to be removed. Mesothelioma and other cancers as well as asbestosis and other lung diseases are a serious danger after continued long term exposure to fibers from asbestos containing materials acms.

The problems insurance companies have with homes sporting asbestos siding include three issues. The only possible exception is if the asbestos is exposed as a result of a covered peril like wind damage. But whether or not your insurance will cover the bill you should not remove asbestos yourself. Even though exposure to asbestos can be a major health risk most homeowners insurance policies don t cover removal of asbestos.