The PIA Western Alliance plans to present a summit on moisture management-mold control on Jan. 12, 2006, at the Doubletree Suites Southcenter, in Seattle, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The goal of the summit, PIA West said, is to build awareness and policies within the insurance industry, along with realtors, contractors, and lenders, that preventative steps can be taken to reduce their exposure to losses resulting from moisture damage. Putting these types of preventative steps in place can reduce costly legislation and government intervention.

When these steps are utilized to mitigate this issue before companies insure a property, claims for moisture problems are anticipated to become manageable, PIA West said. When builders implement a moisture management system, liability claims are anticipated to decline. Many health claims associated with mold exposure should be reduced. Even properties that have experienced previous water or mold problems can be evaluated with this system to determine if the issue has been properly eradicated.