Asbestos Siding Insurance
For the most part asbestos isn t covered by homeowner s insurance.
Asbestos siding insurance. Intact asbestos siding on your home poses no health risk as long as it is undisturbed. Installing vinyl siding will require disturbing the asbestos by nailing into it. 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. If you can prove that your siding is something beside asbestos be sure all documentation makes it to your insurance and that is documented on your policy.
Asbestos siding is also non friable which means it s not releasing dust into the air. It also doesn t burn which is great for insurance companies. The only possible exception is if the asbestos is exposed as a result of a covered peril like wind damage. Also we recommend that if you do have to remove or disturb the siding for any reason never do the work yourself.
Unless asbestos siding is disturbed it doesn t pose a significant health hazard and does not need to be removed. The problems insurance companies have with homes sporting asbestos siding include three issues. Inability to match siding following a loss. Have an asbestos abatement contractor do it for you.
But whether or not your insurance will cover the bill you should not remove asbestos yourself. 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. Both the epa and the vinyl siding institute recommend not disturbing asbestos if at all possible. View entire discussion 13 comments more posts from the homeimprovement community.
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. Homeowners insurance policies have an exclusion for pollution which generally prevents you from being reimbursed for cleaning up pollutants including asbestos in your home. Even though exposure to asbestos can be a major health risk most homeowners insurance policies don t cover removal of asbestos. Some insurance providers cancelling policies due to asbestos.