As if the corroding wires and pipes, sulfur-like odor that permeates throughout the home and respiratory issues that come with Chinese Drywall, hasn't been enough for the unfortunate homeowners whose houses have been affected by the defective material, now it appears that Insurance companies are not only refusing to cover the damages brought on by Chinese Drywall, but are refusing to renew coverages as well.
Homeowners are looking to their insurance companies for help, only to find their coverage will not be renewed due to the presence of Chinese Drywall. As Homeowners Insurance is a requirement, without coverage there is a risk of foreclosure. The way insurance companies are viewing the situation, according to John Kuczwanski, a spokesman for Citizens Property Insurance Corp., is that the Chinese Drywall is a builder defect, which is not included in homeowners coverage, and now that they are aware of the situation it becomes a pre-existing condition, therefore they will not renew the policy, until the problem is rectified.
"If someone were to have bought a new car and there was a defective part, would that person go to their auto insurance to get that fixed or would they go back to the manufacturer?" stated Kuczwanski, "We provide insurance, not warranty service."
