A House committee Thursday voted down two bills dealing with insurance coverage of Chinese drywall.
The first would have ensured that home-owners could file claims with their home insurance companies for property damage caused by Chinese-made drywall.
The second would have prevented home insurers from canceling policies or raising rates on properties because they were built with the drywall. Both were sponsored by Del. Glenn Oder, R-Newport News.
While lawmakers agreed owners of homes built with Chinese drywall deserve relief, they weren't sure that going through insurance companies was the best way for them to go about getting it.
Commerce and Labor Committee members said the first bill needed further study, after an insurance company representative told them that home insurance policies weren't meant to cover defective products such as the tainted drywall.
They said they were uncomfortable with the second bill because they didn't think state code should tell insurance companies when they can or can't raise rates.
A similar bill that would prevent home insurers from canceling policies or raising rates on homeowners passed the Senate earlier this session but is unlikely to survive its trip through House Commerce and Labor.
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Insurance!
Why aren't the insurance companies of the builders/developers paying for the clean-up. They have to have insurance to cover mistakes or faulty workmanship.
I must have said the bad word "developers".
Yes, The manufactuers have the ultimate blame. But then The federal govt should foot the bill it was their trade agreements that won't let the builders sue the chinese manufactuers.
Looks like the state can't
Looks like the state can't figure out how to assist Chinese Drywall homeowners either. Amazing how our government can assist other countries, business and workers but can't figure out how to keep us safe from these toxic products and certainly can't figure out what to do about it after they let Made in China into our country!
Umhmm
That toxic Chinese drywall that tested with lower-levels of "toxins" than some domestically-produced brands?
Still waiting on the bill enjoining the ones who were in mortgage default before this "issue" came about from suing. Not a snowball's chance, but....
Behind on your mortgage? Does your cheaply-constructed McMansion have Chinese drywall? You have an answer. Call $shady_lawfirm, and get the help you need!
Dear Hurdboy....
why do you regularly speak of matters that you have NO IDEA of what you are talking about! I am one of the HUNDREDS of Virginia Chinese Drywall Victims and I can tell you and all that are reading this that NOT ONE victim was behind on their mortgage payments or could not afford their homes! They all paid their mortgages and can afford their home but can not live safely in their home thanks to Chinese Drywall.
My home was NOT a "McMansion", my mortgage was for the exact amount that it cost me to build my own home MYSELF! There was no builder, no inflated builders prices. All that I did was hire the drywall installer to install my drywall. There was NEVER any choice of American or Chinese Drywall I was NOT given a choice there was NO option! The installer/supplier made the choice of using the toxic product not me, the homeowner/builder.
These homes are TOXIC! I have not only the government's reports on my home but I also have TWO independent lab reports on my home and the levels of toxins in my house is off the charts and the toxins are not found in american drywall homes! So please let the grown ups discuss matters while you go and read the facts before you speak!
Not against you
For my own information, Do you know the total cost for all the drywall damage incurred? I do feel the federal gov't should foot the bill.
And their recourse is to sue the manufacturer.
The builder/ supplier took the Manufactuers at their word that this was good materials. But you can bet some politicians can correct the problem.