After paying out huge settlements to clean up mold damage, homeowner insurers pulled back from issuing new policies on homes where a water damage claim had been made within the last five years.

They also minimized their exposure to mold claims by excluding mold coverage altogether or limiting their coverage. Currently a common cap on such claims is $5,000, although this can vary from one company to the next.

Some insurers are less concerned about water damage claims today. However, they are concerned about the profile of the insured.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct an error. State Farm continues to write new homeowner’s insurance policies in some areas within California.

After paying out huge settlements to clean up mold damage, homeowner insurers pulled back from issuing new policies on homes where a water damage claim had been made within the last five years.

They also minimized their exposure to mold claims by excluding mold coverage altogether or limiting their coverage. Currently a common cap on such claims is $5,000, although this can vary from one company to the next.

Some insurers are less concerned about water damage claims today. However, they are concerned about the profile of the insured. Homeowner insurers want to insure people who don’t have a history of making claims. Some companies won’t write a new insurance policy for someone who made a claim within the last three years.

Insurer guidelines for coverage vary from company to company. And, individual companies’ policies change over time depending on their loss history and the marketplace. Some homeowner’s insurance companies may cease writing policies altogether for new customers in certain states or in specific areas within states.

However, those companies may write new policies for current policyholders. If your house is insured with one of the companies that is not writing new policies, and you sell it and buy another home in the area, that company may write a homeowner’s policy for you on your next home as long as the house meets certain criteria, for example.

HOUSE HUNTING TIP: More and more homeowners are selling first and renting for a time before buying their next home. In this case, if the homeowner is insured with a company that isn’t writing new business in your state, it would be prudent to carry renter’s insurance through this company. The company would then be likely to cover your next home because you have been a continuous client. For this strategy to work there can’t be a break in coverage.

Renters who have never owned a home and who are having trouble finding homeowner’s insurance should check with their renter’s insurance company. This company will often write a homeowner’s policy for an existing renter’s insurance customer.

If you made a claim within the last three years with your existing company and you buy another house, that company will probably insure you on the new home as long as coverage is continuous.

However, if you made two or more claims during the last three years, you could be denied coverage. Or, there might be a surcharge. This is usually determined on a case-by-case basis, with leeway given to long-term customers.

Even though you’re gold-plated in terms of insurability, an insurer might turn you down because of the property. For example, it can be difficult to insure older homes with some companies. Outdated plumbing, electrical, heating and roof are red flags. Some companies won’t insure houses with wood siding in fire-prone areas.

There is flexibility with some insurers who will insure a home with older wiring as long as the buyer agrees to upgrade the electrical within a month or so of closing.

When you’re shopping for homeowner’s insurance, make sure to compare like-kind coverage. Some companies will pay only 100 percent of the coverage amount in the case of a total loss. Others will pay 120 to 200 percent of the coverage amount.

Find out what’s excluded from coverage. With older homes, it’s a good idea to pay for a code upgrade rider. This doesn’t cost much when you consider what it would cost to upgrade an older home to meet current code requirements in case of a catastrophic loss.

THE CLOSING: Because it’s risky to make a lot of claims, consider increasing the deductible. This will reduce your annual insurance premiums.

Dian Hymer is a nationally syndicated real estate columnist and author of "House Hunting, The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers" and "Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer’s Guide," Chronicle Books.

***

What’s your opinion? Leave your comments below or send a letter to the editor. To contact the writer, click the byline at the top of the story.

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