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Montgomery County woman denied insurance claim after Hurricane Beryl causes mold damage

CONROE – A Montgomery County woman discovered mold damage in her storage unit following a power outage caused by Hurricane Beryl.

Despite having insurance on the unit, she was informed that her policy does not cover damage resulting from power outages.

The woman, who stores her belongings at Cool Places Storage in Conroe, said the unit is climate-controlled, but the loss of power allowed mold to form on several items, including a car seat, couch pillows, and even a sentimental family quilt.

She pays $10 a month for insurance on the storage unit and promptly filed a claim after discovering the damage. However, the insurance provider, Tenant Property Protection, denied her claim, citing a clause that excludes coverage for damage caused by power outages.

KPRC 2′s Corley Peel reached out to Cool Places Storage for comment, but no one responded to knocks on the door or phone calls.

Screenshots from Tenant Property Protection show that the company defines its coverage as protection against unexpected events, but the policy specifically excludes damage from mold, mildew, and power outages, among other causes. A message from the company stated, “After further review of the terms and conditions of the protection plan, a power outage (electromagnetic disruption) at the facility is not a covered peril.”

For more on this situation and the limitations of storage unit insurance, watch KPRC 2 news or live on the KPRC 2+ Stream at 5 and 6 p.m.

Items inside the storage unit, including a car seat and family quilt, show significant mold damage following a power outage at the facility in Conroe. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)
Items inside the storage unit, including a car seat and family quilt, show significant mold damage following a power outage at the facility in Conroe. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)
Items inside the storage unit, including a car seat and family quilt, show significant mold damage following a power outage at the facility in Conroe. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

About the Authors

Corley Peel is a Texas native and Texas Tech graduate who covered big stories in Joplin, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Jacksonville, Florida before returning to the Lone Star State. When not reporting, Corley enjoys hot yoga, Tech Football, and finding the best tacos in town.

Holly joined the KPRC 2 digital team in March 2024, leveraging her eight years of expertise in blogging and digital content to share her passion for Houston. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the city's vibrant scenes, all while balancing her roles as a wife and mother to two toddlers.

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