In Boughan v. Nationwide Property and Casualty Co., No. 1-04-57, 2005 WL 126781 (Ohio App. Jan. 24, 2005), an Ohio appeals court found that damage caused to a home due to faulty brickwork was not covered under a homeowners policy.

Richard and Jennifer Boughan noticed that the brick on their home was flaking. They contacted their homeowners insurer, Nationwide, and were told over the phone that the damage was not covered. After several more phone calls to Nationwide, a claims representative was sent to the home and, without inspecting the brick, again said the damage was not covered. Eventually, the same representative returned to inspect the home, and Nationwide formally denied the claim.