I know of the exclusions for mold, rot, deterioration, etc. However, I do not think that is what this is. I was just reading this article

http://wparc.net/algae-lichen-moss-eating-roof/ and it talks about how algae, lichen or moss "eat" the limestone from shingles. This is not deterioration, per se. Looking at a standard HO-3, I could not locate an exclusion. Also, it states in the policy they pay for risk of direct physical loss – No mention of the words "Sudden, Accidental".

Should this claim be covered?

Hawaii Subscriber

Good question. Algae and fungi are different organisms as far as I can tell, so the exclusion for mold, fungus and dry rot does not apply.

All living things are broken down into kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus species. Since Algae and fungus are in two different kingdoms, they are different. For example, a housecat is the kingdom animalia, phylum chordata, class mammalia, order carnivora, family felidae, genus felis, species catus.

People are kingdom animalia, phylum chordata, class mammalia, order primates. Notice that people and cats share the same kingdom, phylum and class. Since algae and fungus start out with different kingdoms, they're different.

However, by the time the roof is covered with dark streaks or moss or lichen, you have a maintenance issue, which is excluded. An insured is responsible to take care of his property; if that involves have the roof pressure washed now and again, it's his responsibility. Same with the siding; it needs to be power washed or cleaned in some areas on a regular basis. The exclusion isn't for the plant life, it's for letting it get so bad that it damaged the roof.