Does Home Insurance Cover Mold?

When mold appears in your home, one of your first thoughts is likely, “Does homeowners insurance cover mold?” The answer depends on the source of the mold. When purchasing a homeowners insurance policy, make sure your agent explains exactly what type of mold damage is covered in a standard policy, so you have the option of buying additional protection if necessary.

What Mold Damage is Covered by Home Insurance?

Mold typically results from water damage. Home insurance generally covers mold damage if it’s a result of sudden and accidental water leakage from plumbing but not if it’s a long-term condition.

In California, sudden burst pipes are the primary cause of water damage in homes. When it comes to overall home insurance claims, the most common reason for filing a claim is water damage.

When Is Mold Damage Not Covered?

A standard homeowners insurance policy does not cover mold damage from flooding or earthquakes. The same holds true for mold resulting from long-term plumbing leaks or lack of maintenance. While high humidity can cause mold over time, damage arising from long-term excess humidity is not covered by homeowners insurance.

Depending on your location and insurer, it may be possible to purchase insurance for floods and other natural disasters excluded from standard homeowners policies. In California, insurance companies are required to offer earthquake coverage for an additional premium.

Key Factors That Influence Mold Coverage

Mold coverage in homeowners policies is conditional. Mold situations emanating from homeowner neglect or intentional actions are not covered by insurance.

How to Protect Your Home from Mold

When it comes to mold, an ounce of prevention is worth thousands of dollars of repair. Simple ways to protect your home from mold include:

• Keep indoor relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent. As noted, mold damage from high humidity is not covered by homeowners insurance.
• Clean out gutters regularly.
• Use exhaust fans when cooking and bathing.
• Seal air leaks around windows and doors to decrease moisture levels.
• Check that air conditioning units are in good condition, cleaning coils and fixing any duct leaks.
• Make sure water drains away from your home.

It doesn’t take long for mold to grow after any type of water damage. Significant mold growth can occur in as little as 24 hours so it’s crucial to repair any leaks immediately, whether from pipes, windows, or roofs. Installing smart water sensors can alert you via an app to the presence of any leaks in the pipes where they’re placed. Keep an eye out for any mold growth when cleaning. Dark rings on the ceiling or walls may indicate water spots.

Filing a Mold Insurance Claim

You can file a mold insurance claim either online or via the insurance company’s toll-free number. File the claim as soon as possible to begin mitigation promptly.

What If Mold Damage Isn’t Covered?

If your homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover the type of mold damage you are dealing with, you may want to pay a professional out of pocket for the cleanup. Professional restoration services can be expensive but are often necessary.

Before hiring a mitigation specialist, check their Better Business Bureau rating to ensure they have a strong reputation. Read customer reviews on the company’s website for insight into the customer experience.

The mitigation specialist will examine your property and determine the extent of the mold damage. Once you approve the assessment, the cleanup process can begin. This typically involves removing water and wet building materials, followed by the use of industrial-strength dehumidifiers and dryers to eliminate moisture.

If structural damage occurs, you must repair or rebuild the affected drywall, flooring, and other affected areas. For these tasks, hiring a contractor may be necessary.

You may be able to repair some of the damage yourself to save money if you’re handy. Otherwise, you’ll have to hire a professional.

Protect Your Home Today

For expert advice and to make sure you have the best coverage for your home, contact one of our helpful agents today.