MEDIA RELEASE:
July 19, 2002


Contact:
Vik Ahuja, CIAQP
Pure Air Control Services
(800) 422-7873, est. 804
VAhuja@PureAirControls.com

GALLAGHER SETS HEARING ON MOLD COVERAGE

TALLAHASSEE - Florida Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner Tom Gallagher announced today that a public hearing will be held in South Florida to obtain public input and hear testimony concerning mold coverage in homeowners’ and commercial residential insurance policies. Gallagher said the hearing - and two additional hearings in the Central Florida area - will provide an opportunity for the public to provide comment and obtain information.

“We encourage full participation from the public,” Gallagher said. “Floridians’ comments, and that of other interested parties, will help us determine how to address this emerging issue.”

To date, the Department of Insurance has received nearly 200 filings by insurance companies requesting exclusion of mold, or limited coverage of mold, in personal residential, commercial residential and commercial property policies.

The South Florida hearing is schedule for July 30, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., in Plantation at the Plantation City Council Chambers, 400 NW 73rd Ave.

Two other hearings will be held in Tampa and Orlando in August and will be announced once dates and locations are determined. Written comments will also be considered by the department and can be sent to: Steve Roddenberry, Florida Department of Insurance, Division of Insurer Services, 200 East Gaines St. or roddenberrys@doi.state.fl.us.

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