Most Insurance Companies Do Not Cover Asbestos-Related Damage
During a fire, asbestos fibers and fragments—such as from a corrugated asbestos roof—can be spread by smoke and the water used by firefighters. This exposes nearby residents to the risk of inhaling harmful asbestos fibers and can contaminate nearby buildings and soil. The same issue can also arise after a severe storm.
Initially, the fire department will have a specialized lab assess whether these risks are present.
If asbestos fibers and debris are indeed found in the area, a safety perimeter is immediately established, and the municipal emergency plan is often activated.
If asbestos fibers and debris are indeed found in the area, a safety perimeter is immediately established, and the municipal emergency plan is often activated.
After the fire has been extinguished, all asbestos residues must be carefully removed by hand by trained professionals—a process that can take several days.
Such asbestos cleanups are very expensive, and this kind of consequential damage is excluded from coverage by many insurers.
Here is an overview of some insurance clauses I found:
Argenta: General exclusions • Damage caused directly or indirectly by asbestos and/or its harmful properties, in any form;
Belfius: 4. Not covered is damage: (…) g) caused by the presence of asbestos
Baloise: 6. Damage due to asbestos. Is the damage caused by direct contact with asbestos? Or in another way? Or due to the special properties of asbestos? Or is asbestos present in another material or object? And does that cause damage? Then we never pay.
Ethias: Always excluded from our coverage: (…) damage directly or indirectly caused by asbestos
Allianz: We never reimburse/pay (regardless of the type of coverage): (…) e) damage, costs and losses resulting from the toxic properties of asbestos or asbestos-containing materials
Vivium: 24.4 The company does not reimburse (…) damage related to asbestos
Do You Have Asbestos in Your Home or Business Property?
If so, be sure to carefully read your policy to avoid costly surprises!
Even better, consider removing the asbestos as soon as possible.
Even better, consider removing the asbestos as soon as possible.
Asbestspotter can help identify which materials do or do not contain asbestos, so they can be properly and safely removed.
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