Bill would ensure coverage for carbon monoxide

Lawmakers gave first-round approval to a bill March 24 that would ensure homeowners receive additional insurance protections.

Currently, some homeowner insurance policies contain what is known as a “pollution exclusion,” which denies coverage for damage resulting from a carbon monoxide leak.

LB876, as originally introduced by Omaha Sen. Sara Howard, would prohibit homeowner insurance policies from excluding coverage for injury or damage resulting from carbon monoxide or other gases released from a heating unit or ventilation system.

A Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee amendment, adopted 33-0, replaced the bill. Under the amended bill, any policy that includes a pollution exclusion clause must contain an exception for bodily injury sustained within a building and caused by smoke, fumes, vapor or soot from a heating or ventilation system.

Senators advanced the bill to select file on a 30-0 vote.