Support our family after Renters insurance denial

Three hundred sixty-six days ago, we moved in to our new home. Excited about this new chapter with a reassuring sense of security provided by our insurance policy, believing it would safeguard us from any unforeseen challenges that life might throw our way. However, as the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, that confidence was shattered when issues arose, I found myself utterly abandoned by my insurance provider, leaving me feeling vulnerable and unsupported. To compound the distress, the property manager proved to be equally unresponsive once the mold was proven they sought only to get us out of the property .

My renters insurance truly failed me when I needed it the most. I had taken the precaution of purchasing extra mold coverage. Despite multiple reports and expert photographs detailing the hazardous conditions, the homeowner and their representatives refused to take any action. They were fully aware of the situation, yet their inaction left me in a precarious position, forced to vacate my home for my health’s sake. Experts had advised that I couldn’t even pack my belongings without wearing protective gear, highlighting the severity of the mold issues. If I was unable to live in the home, wear my clothes, sleep in my bed, or breathe safely indoors, shouldn’t that trigger coverage

Instead, I was met with indifference.

I was told that in order to activate coverage the Homeowner would need to have a covered peril . This request was ignored by the HO and the property manager so I was tasked with locating , testing and validating the source of the mold . The property manager’s negligence forced me to bring in experts to locate and test the mold, resulting in the identification of several potential sources. Despite my proactive efforts and the detailed reports sent to both the insurance company and the homeowner, my claims fell on deaf ears. After 4.5 grueling months, I received a second denial—my first coming less than 24 hours after submitting my claim, citing that “the homeowner did not have a covered peril.” Each subsequent denial echoed that same excuse or absurdly accused me of negligence in addressing the issue.

How can it be that my personal belongings coverage was contingent on the homeowner’s policy and their response to maintenance? It’s maddening to think that landlords can evade accountability while the tenant has no real power to investigate the issue thouroughly. I was proactive, perhaps even annoyingly so, yet I find myself bearing the brunt of a situation that spiraled out of my control. The adjuster had access to a detailed timeline of my efforts—every email and phone call I made pleading for help. Yet, while I waited, I was left to clean and dispose of my belongings, vacate my home, and watch as my business crumbled and my health deteriorated. I was forced to find a new place to live, settling into an apartment that, while lovely, is ill-suited for my family and business. Nearly five months later, I am still without furniture, appliances, or the basic necessities, trying to shield my children from the chaos around them. We are trapped in limbo, unable to return to the comfort of a true home, all because of a system that failed to protect me when I needed it most.

I purchased this insurance 1 year and 1 day before the mold destroyed my life . the agent assured me that the policy covered my personal property regardless of where the household items were located . My concern at the time was that IU was in between homes with items scattered about. “ your policy covers your belongings , not the domicile”.

why is it that now , all they seem to focus on is the dwelling and the homeowners insurance ?

I want to thank everyone that has checked in on me. I have never been very social media savvy. the mold has truly taken a toll on my health and as I go through the detox process the brain fog , memory loss , fatigue and headaches leave me feeling drained and forgetful .

Please know that I am truly thank full for your support .

Your donations have helped me to pay for movers and to buy new mattresses so that the kids can come for visits. I have a long way to go but I know I can do it!.

I have had an EBay store for close to 20 years that I have never shared on social media . I am sharing my link to my store where you can shop for items and also lend support to Malachi’s Message . everything on my store as of now has been shielded from the mold or purchased after I left the home and kept in storage.

Malachi’s Message Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness, driving transformative change, and providing financial assistance, as well as emotional support and education to individuals and communities affected by toxic mold exposure.

Malachismessage.org.

https://www.ebay.com/str/clairescarousel2010

Immediate funds are needed for cleaning and repairing all textiles . I will need to replace household goods such as mattresses and upholstered furniture . Items like bedding , pillows , vacuums, towels, clothing … everything with fibers . Any furniture made with particle board .

medical testing , lawyers fees and moving costs outside of the pack out this week . It is looking like I will have to move twice . Property managers are asking me for double security deposits bc my credit score and finances have been destroyed during this ordeal . My e-commerce business is not doing so well and I need funds for every day living expenses . Thank you again for your support!

I am having a difficult time finding a rental .

Imagine its Christmas time and instead of putting up the tree and spending time with your children you are packing up the last remaining remnants of your life and throwing away furnishings , bedding , mattresses , clothing … everything that is destroyed by mold . Desperately trying to figure out where you will spend the rest of December because you have to Vacate after finding Mold 4 months ago .

Christmas Day 2023 I surprised the kids with pictures of this very home and told them we would be moving there in February . And we would stay put for a long while.

I was misled and told that I could accept the house furnished or not at all so : I spent 6 weeks consolidating storage , donating and selling anything and everything . I was looking forward to starting fresh , getting organized , building my business and spending time with my children. I got all of my inventory and clothing out of storage and eagerly brought them over to my giant beautiful closet and all the available storage here. I was told that any of their furnishings that did not fit should be “ shoved against a wall or put in garage “. I paid my movers to move and store their furniture and belongings on my dime.

In September , after experiencing many health issues the kids moved over to their dads to remain there full time. They were forced to abandon all of their belongings and wait week after week , month after month to find out if and when things would be sorted . I had no choice but to remain here in hopes that the issue would be dealt with swiftly. Instead I dealt with neglect , stonewalling and blame. Once the experts determined that the dwelling was uninhabitable I was asked to vacate . Which sounds simple , right?

It seems that my Renters insurance is inexplicably tied to the actions or inaction of the homeowners and or their insurance. How can this be?

I was told I would need to vacate with all belongings for the homeowner to remediate and get certificate of occupancy. But I could not leave physically or financially and my belongings could not be moved with biohazard. I submitted photos and mold report to insurance ( I have mold coverage ) and it was declined . I needed the find the source of the mold .

The homeowner seemed uninterested in finding the source until after I vacate. Eventually, the source was located and it was determined to be holes in the roof and skylights where water is penetrating the walls and HVAC. They sent a roofer over to put a tarp over it and I was told they would get to the bottom of it. Last told , my claim is still denied until they find the actual water damage.

Why am i still Here ?

Because I put down a one year deposit I have been stuck here trying to negotiate a refund without signing a release. I am trying to pick up the pieces of my E-commerce business that has been destroyed by mold during the biggest retail sales quarter of any business. The life I have tried to build for myself and children has been decimated. I watched my sales dwindle and my remaining inventory was growing mold . I could not afford to buy new inventory . I could not even pay my bills . I sold every piece of jewelry I have ever been given : watches , rings and even antique gold charm bracelets that have been with me since I was a child . I felt as though I was being held hostage. I put everything I had in to moving here . I spent the first 4 months making this house OUR home and my place of work. I have been bled dry during this process. Where do you go with 3 cats and 3 kids with no resources and a business that is not mobile?

What do you do with your stuff when there is an estimated cost of $45,000 to clean it?

I am now in immediate assistance to find a temporary small extended stay , apartment or home. Just a small space to put up a tree and enjoy the holidays with my 3 kids ( and cats) and begin to salvage what's left of my home and our health .Then I can focus on rebuilding and a permanent residence. You can see more information in my update about my new timeline .

 

Funds are needed for storage fees, replacing all household items, clothing, and inventory. I am also in need of funds for lab tests and medical expenses and household bills. Moving NEXT week and funds to for immediate bills, living expenses , clothing and Christmas.

 

New inventory for my resale business and /or discounts on inventory.

 

Services that are necessary: veterinarian , Dry cleaner, leather cleaner, upholsterers, tailor, movers, storage facility and more .

The list of expenses is overwhelming and growing every day. Please help us rebuild our home.

Thank you to everyone that has reached out and to those that have donated. These donations and kind words have kept me going. Happy Holidays!

 

I want to thank Ben for taking on the kids and my custodial duties for the last 6 weeks.Thank you for keeping the kids healthy and happy while I deal with the mold. Judith, thank you!

 

To my children , at a time when you should be focused on college applications, getting your driver’s license and final year of middle school you are dealing with eye infections, ear infections and respiratory issues. Thank you for putting on a brave face I miss you living here !

 

Thank you to Karen Ferris and David Pomeroy at Ferris Law Firm for putting me in touch with experts and adjusters that have shown me that there are amazing people out there. You have been patient, understanding and kind.

 

Thank you, Wendy and Anna at Fix Air consulted and supported me. They have the most proactive, thorough, and ethical team and referrals.

And

Lee Rose at Gorilla, Public Adjuster, has worked tirelessly to get my claim covered. Her team went above & beyond and has become an amazing friend.

 

Greg at Restoration 1: Put me on his schedule immediately, talked me through the whole process and counseled me on the implications on this level of mold to my health and belongings

Marc Geisler Accounting for his patience

Craig Lesok for helping find the right Law Firm and listening to this saga.

Dr. Peter Damico saving me from my increasingly bad migraines every time :)

 

Also want to thank all my friends at Ties to the Past. They have supported me and helped me replace some of my inventory :)

 

Crystal at Clothes Mentor has always helped me find new inventory for my business and clothes to replace my wardrobe.

 

And to everyone that has been by my side and listened to this unbelievable story as it unfolds. Thank you to all my mom, family, and friends! Happy Holidays!