There is a looming crisis in New Jersey caused by the decision by many insurance companies to refuse to renew existing homeowner insurance policies or to issue new homeowner insurance policies for homes clad with a synthetic stucco exterior cladding known as Exterior Insulated Finish System (“EIFS”).
Many experts believe that EIFS is a defective product when used in wood frame residential construction. It is also frequently installed incorrectly. As a result, EIFS allows water to penetrate the exterior and to cause damage, including rot and mold, to the wood framing of residential dwellings. Consequently, hundreds of lawsuits involving thousands of homes have been filed in New Jersey and across the country to recover damages for affected homeowners.
The insurance companies who write homeowner insurance policies have watched with alarm as the claims and lawsuits have proliferated. Some are now refusing to write new homeowner insurance policies and are refusing to renew existing homeowner insurance policies at the end of their policy terms. More insurance companies are likely to follow.
Don’t wait until you lose your homeowner’s insurance, until you experience severe water damage from the EIFS on your home, or until you cannot sell your home because buyers do not want to purchase homes clad with EIFS. We have the knowledge, experience and the proven track record to help you determine if you have EIFS on your home and to advise you of your options if you do have EIFS.
Our Construction Litigation Group has handled numerous cases involving single-family homeowners and condominium owners who had EIFS as the exterior cladding on their homes. We have the knowledge, experience and the proven track record to help you determine if you have EIFS on your home and to advise you of your options if you do have EIFS.
For questions or assistance please call Don Brenner or Randy Sawyer at 1-866-EIFS-LAW (343-7529) or by e-mail at info@njeifs.com. We offer a free consultation and will handle appropriate cases on a contingent fee basis.