Mold is a common and unwelcome guest in many homes, no matter how diligent you may be about keeping your house clean.
Accidents happen, disasters strike, and one day you may wake up to a damp, musty smell coming from your bathroom, laundry room, or even beneath the floor of your bedroom. After some investigating, you find the one thing no homeowner wants to see: mold spreading across the surfaces of your home.
Your first thought might be to clean it or call a professional to remove it, but it’s important not to touch anything. Not only could the mold be toxic, but you should also check if your homeowners insurance covers mold damage before you spend thousands of dollars of your own money on a professional.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold?
The short answer is: It depends.
A standard homeowners insurance policy should cover mold damage if it was caused by a covered issue (also known as a “covered peril”) and if the mold was hidden within your home’s walls, floors, or ceilings. This means that if mold growth is a result of a specific, accidental event that your insurance policy already covers, you’re in luck.
For instance, homeowners insurance mold claims may be successful if the mold was caused by:
- Accidental water discharge, such as a burst pipe
- Overflowing appliances like dishwashers or washing machines
- Frozen plumbing or pipes that burst due to freezing temperatures
- Storm-related damage from wind, rain, snow, or ice
- Water used by firefighters to extinguish fires
If the mold growth can be linked to one of these covered events, your insurance will likely cover the mold removal, repair, and restoration of the affected areas. For example, if a storm causes water damage in your attic and mold develops, it could be included under your policy.
What’s Not Covered?
Homeowners insurance and mold coverage have their limits. If the mold is the result of neglect, wear and tear, or flooding, most standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover it. In these cases, you would need a flood insurance policy to cover flood-related mold damage.
If the mold is caused by ongoing maintenance issues—like a slow leak, poor ventilation, or high humidity—it is considered negligence, and most insurance providers will deny the claim. Mold resulting from improper care or lack of routine inspections is usually your responsibility.
To avoid a mold insurance claim denial, stay proactive with home maintenance and address issues like leaks, condensation, and water damage as soon as they arise.
How to File a Homeowner Insurance Claim for Mold
Filing a mold claim follows the same procedure as filing many other property insurance claims.
1. Report the Incident
Contact your insurance provider as soon as you notice mold. Inform them about the mold growth and its likely cause. Be sure to mention if the mold is a result of water damage from a recent, covered event like a burst pipe or storm.
2. Document the Damage
Before cleaning or attempting repairs, document everything. Take detailed photos and videos of the mold growth and any related water damage. Write down the date the damage occurred, the type of event that caused it, and all areas affected by mold.
Hold onto these records; they will be crucial for your claim, and the specialist who comes to inspect and remove the mold may need to see them to best gauge where to start the removal.
3. Mitigate Further Damage
Once your claim is reported and documented, you can proceed with cleaning up any standing water or waterlogged items to prevent further damage. However, avoid cleaning the mold itself, as this could impact your claim and be hazardous to your health. Mold can release harmful spores into the air, so it’s essential to let professionals handle the removal.
4. Wait for the Adjuster
From there, it’s a waiting game, and your insurance company must make the next move.
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. This process may take some time, so be patient and continue to monitor the affected areas.
5. Hire a Professional for Mold Removal
After your claim is approved, we highly recommend hiring a licensed professional to remove the mold. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises against doing the removal yourself if the affected area exceeds 10 square feet, is near HVAC systems, or involves water from contaminated sources like septic tanks. Hiring a professional ensures the job is done thoroughly and safely.
Your insurance company may provide you with a list of state-licensed contractors, or you can select your own. Make sure to choose a certified professional to avoid future issues.
What If Your Mold Claim Is Denied?
Unfortunately, not all mold claims are successful. If your mold claim is denied, don’t panic. First, review the reasons for denial and double-check your insurance policy. Sometimes, claim denials are due to unclear policy language or misinterpretation of the event.
If you’ve tried everything and still believe your claim was wrongly denied or mishandled, we can help you appeal the decision. Our property insurance claim lawyers have been fighting and winning against insurance companies since 2009, and we’re ready to fight your unjust denial and get you the compensation you deserve.
