Nov 5, 2024
Just three weeks after moving into their new home in Orange Park, Florida, Tyler Collins and his girlfriend were forced to move out indefinitely, their health in jeopardy and their home uninhabitable.
As a first-time home buyer, Collins was excited to give the 1980s-era house a fresh start. He installed new carpets, purchased furniture and made plans to address the outdated air ducts lined with fiberglass boards, hoping to ensure clean air in his new space.
Advertisement
When Collins called Charlie’s Tropic Heating & Air, he was assured they could safely clean the ducts without disturbing the fragile lining by using a negative air vacuum. For $600, they promised to avoid rotor brushes, which risk disturbing the fiberglass-lined ducts. But during the appointment, a technician — limited in English and likely unaware of Collins’ concerns — started using the very tool he had been promised wouldn’t be used. Collins reportedly called a manager, who assured the couple there would be no issues. But later that night, Collins and his girlfriend awoke in severe respiratory distress.
“I guess around midnight or so, the air must have kicked on,” Collins recalled. “I woke up at two in the morning — just lungs on fire. Couldn’t breathe at all.”
After an ER visit, Collins learned his lung function had been cut in half, a shocking consequence of the air in his home.
New homeowners should inspect older ductwork and use certified contractors for cleaning to avoid running into a similar situation as Collins. Home insurance often doesn’t cover fiberglass issues, considering them a maintenance responsibility, not a hazard. Here’s what else homeowners can do in the worst-case scenario.
Fiberglass contamination resulted in $70,000 in damage
Air quality isn't the only issue. Fiberglass remediation is a complex process that generally requires throwing out soft items like curtains, rugs, and clothing. Collins stated that even after multiple washes, clothing from the house is now unbearable to wear.
“It just infected most of the house, like our pillows,” Collins told reporters. “If we use those — even after washing them — they would make our throats itchy.”
Advertisement
Between medical bills, air quality testing and repairs to the home, the estimated damages total almost $70,000. The company did refund the $600 Collins spent on the cleaning, but Charlie’s Tropic Heating & Air has since gone out of business. Collins' attorney has not been able to reach them.
A new company, Weather Engineers, Inc., purchased the assets of Charlie’s Tropic Heating & Air in early 2024 but has distanced itself from the incident. They claim the incident was resolved with Tropic’s former insurance carrier. Collins and his attorney are at a dead end, with little recourse to reclaim the $70,000 needed to make the home livable again.
Must Read
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and the simple steps to fix it ASAP
- Robert Kiyosaki begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’ — says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year
- Vanguard reveals what could be coming for U.S. stocks, and it’s raising alarm bells for retirees. Here’s why and how to protect yourself
Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
How does insurance handle these situations?
In cases like this, the contractor's liability insurance would typically cover damages resulting from negligence or improper services. Had the company remained operational, Collins could have filed a claim directly with Charlie’s Tropic Heating & Air’s liability insurance, potentially recovering his losses.
This coverage is standard for contractors to protect against damages stemming from their work, especially when it results in damages or health issues. However, since the company is no longer in business, the liability insurance coverage likely ended when the company closed.
Homeowner's insurance could be another avenue, but this type of claim can be challenging. Most policies do not cover damages caused by third-party contractors, especially if the damage is the result of negligence rather than an accidental event, like water damage from a burst pipe. The homeowners' insurance company likely considers the damage the contractor's responsibility and may deny coverage.
Collins may have to pay for repairs himself, which he admitted is frustrating as he will have to wait. “I just hope they do the right thing at some point,” he said.
You May Also Like
- Turning 50 with $0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade. Here are 6 ways to catch up fast
- This 20-year-old lotto winner refused $1M in cash and chose $1,000/week for life. Now she’s getting slammed for it. Which option would you pick?
- Warren Buffett used these 8 repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich)
- Here are 5 easy ways to own multiple properties like Bezos and Beyoncé. You can start with $10 (and no, you don’t have to manage a single thing)
Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
