Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold?

9/18/2017 (Permalink)

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold?

People are usually afraid of the fact that mold can grow in their homes. However, this is not an excuse to ignore the topic altogether. We have covered methods before about Mold Prevention and Control Tips; however, what about you already have mold damage in your home? Are there any insurance plans that will protect you from the costs of mold remediation? Well, these questions that homeowners ask leads to the big question. Does homeowners insurance cover mold? Let’s discuss.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold?

Homeowners insurance does not usually cover mold damages. Although, there are instances when mold is covered. These instances are generally when the cause of mold is due to an incident that homeowners insurance does cover. For example, if mold has grown due to accidental and sudden pipe burst or if a recent fire has caused mold, your homeowners insurance will likely cover the mold damages. On the contrary, if mold has grown due to improper maintenance practices, such as on-going humidity exposure or a continuous leak, homeowners insurance will not likely cover the damages.

How To File a Homeowners Claim for Mold

The first step in filing a claim is to call your insurance company quickly and informing them of the damages. Once you speak with your insurance company and they provide you with next steps, gather the evidence. You can do this by taking several pictures of the damages. Also, take pictures any mold that becomes visible before anyone comes out and fixes the issue. Keep in mind that mold only needs 24 hours to begin to grow. It would also be a good idea to contact a mold remediation company and have them come out and dry the water before mold starts to grow. However, consult with your insurance company before making this call to be sure that they will cover the costs.

Once your insurance claim goes through and resolves all damages, keep any documentation and images. If mold later grows in that area and the growth is due to the initial incident, then your insurance company will likely have to cover the costs of going back in and fixing the problem.