HOBB's Testimony against Mold
Exclusion.
Commissioner Montemayor
Texas Dept of Insurance
Commissioner,
Last month the attorney respresenting the insurance
agency stated "There are no scientific or medical studies which link mold
to health problems". We must stress this point. There is absolutely no
scientific or medical studies to prove dropping a bowling ball on your
foot will hurt, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know it will.
The attorney's proposed solution is clear, they
want to offer an additional mold policy in order to "help the consumer".
After seeing the devastation mold can do to a home, do you think a mortgage
company will offer a loan on a house without the additional coverage? Absolutely
not. How does this help the consumer?
Senator Truan asked the attorney, 3 times during
the last hearing, what have you done to mitigate the risk of mold growth
in homes to protect your policy and share holders? What causes it? How
do you prevent it? How do you destroy it? And we still haven't heard the
answer.
HOBB is mainly concerned with the lack of protection
for new home buyers. When your house becomes contaminated with mold, your
american dream becomes a texas nightmare, your biggest investment in your
life becomes worthless and no one, will come to help you. Our 10 year home
warranties cover little if anything and specifically exclude mold. damage
and the implied warranty of good workmanship and habitability provided
to new homebuyers since 1968 could cover mold damage. But Centex Homes
on behalf of the building industry has asked the Texas Supreme Court to
relieve them of this warranty. And I will bet my house the Supreme Court
will once again side with big business and abandon the consumer. And Texas
will become the ultimate Home Buyer Beware state.
This lack of protection coupled with farmers request
instills nothing but hope in a new home purchase. You better HOPE your
new home is not contaminated with mold because you will be devastated mentally,
physically, and financially.
Solution
There is only one thing perfectly clear coming
out of all these hearings. Farmers solution will not detect mold, it will
not prevent it, and it will not kill it. The only problem it solves is
their problem.
We have asked for help from the Governor and Attorney
General. They are very well aware of our need of protection and a solution,
because the AG evacuated employees from his Lubbock office due to mold.
And the Governors Mansion was contaminated with mold. Both were remediated
with our tax dollars. And now we ask for their help.
Commissioner, I believe you hold one of the 2
last nails in the coffin of new home protection. The Supreme Court holds
the other. I urge you to use this nail to hold Farmer's feet to the floor
and demand that they learn what causes mold, how to prevent it, and how
to destroy it, before run away from it.
John R. Cobarruvias
14646 Cardinal Creek Ct
Houston, TX 77062
281-486-5203 |
