Stopping Mold Before It Starts
These tips can help prevent mold from growing in your home:
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Inspect your pipes, faucets and hoses regularly, and fix leaks right away.
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Make sure that rainwater is directed away from your home.
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Keep humidity low in your house by using air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
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Shore up your bathroom and kitchen ventilation by installing exhaust fans.
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Avoid installing carpet in areas at risk for collecting moisture, such as a basement or bathrooms.
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Regularly inspect your roof for leaks and keep your gutters free of debris.
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Consider replacing the hoses to your dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator and other large appliances every five years.
Is Attic Mold Unhealthy
Attics can provide a warm, dry environment that is ideal for the growth of mold and other moisture-loving organisms. Mold can cause serious health problems if it is inhaled, ingested, or contact with skin.
Mold can be a serious indoor air quality issue, especially in humid climates. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , exposure to low levels of mold can increase your risk of respiratory problems, including asthma. In severe cases, exposure to mold can cause serious health problems, including pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and even death.
If you live in a state where environmental health hazards are covered by your policy, you may also be able to get coverage for medical expenses related to the mold exposure.
In the past few years, theres been an increase in awareness of the dangers of mold and its effects on human health. Not only is mold harmful to peoples lungs, but it can also cause major damage to property if left unchecked. If you have mold in your attic, dont wait to take action.
What Not To Do If You See Mold In Your Home
Unless you have professional mold remediation experience and the proper equipment, you shouldn’t attempt to remove mold from your home. Failing to deal with the problem correctly can lead to cyclical problems in the future and waste your hard-earned money.
Whatsmore, you should avoid trying to paint over or bleach a moldy section of your home. Doing this will merely act as a band-aid solution for the problem and potentially make matters worse in the long run.
Furthermore, attempting to remove or deal with the mold can make it difficult for an adjuster to make a proper estimate on the damage .
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Strategies For A Mold Insurance Claim
If you do have mold coverage in your home insurance policy, Blumkin advises you to make sure that only the additional cost for mold remediation above what would normally be charged if mold were not present is applied toward your policys mold limitations, rather than the full repair cost.
For example, if restoration crews are cutting out wet or burnt drywall, only the additional cost for handling moldy drywall rather than regular damaged drywall should be placed into the mold remediation category.
The fact that it was moldy doesnt mean that 100 percent of the removal cost goes into the mold limits only the increased cost to deal with mold on the drywall should go into the mold limitation amount, Blumkin says.
So, for example, if it costs $1 per square foot to remove drywall that is damaged or destroyed as part of the covered event but its $1.10 per square foot to remove drywall with mold on it, only the extra 10 cents should be applied toward the mold coverage amount. The remaining $1 should be considered as regular damage coverage.
When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Black Mold Damages
When black mold caused by the weight of ice or snow. In a situation where water backs up under your shingles during a heavy winter due to the ice dam formed on the roof, water will leak into your attic, soaking it and causing black molds to appear.
This type of damage is more likely to be covered by your home insurance company because it is caused by ice damage, a peril covered by most insurance companies policy.
Also, if there was a break-in and in the process, a pipe gets destroyed, causing the drywall to be soaked with water and resulting in black mold, the homeowners insurance company would cover the black mold damages.
Since the cause of the black mold is one of the damages covered by the company.
Also, if your washing machine develops a leak in the hose that you blocked immediately, the water is very likely to cause black mold to form. Your home insurance company would cover this.
However, that would not be the case if the hose is an old one that should have been changed or fixed for some time, but was not.
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Attic Mold Caused By Negligence
Attic mold is usually not covered by your homeowners insurance policy if it grows as a result of a lack of upkeep. If you could have avoided mold growth by repairing leaky pipes or using a dehumidifier, your insurer will not reimburse you for mold removal and treatment.
Homeowners insurance policies are known for loopholes that may favor insurance companies. And most insurance policies do not cover attic mold damage in certain instances.
Proper preventative measures can help minimize the odds of having to deal with an attic mold issue.
Speak with insurance agent to confirm what exceptions are stated in your homeowners insurance policy.
Water Damage Due To Broken Or Leaky Pipe
Homeowners insurance does not usually cover water damage due to something like a leaky pipe. If your insurance policy doesnt cover the damage due to the leaky pipe, it probably will not cover a mold problem caused by leaky pipe, either. Some insurance policies will pay for damage resulting from a burst pipe, though, and in that case, they may cover a mold problem resulting from that burst pipe, as well.
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Does Home Insurance Cover The Cost Of Damage From Mould
Mould holds no place in a healthy home. And if youre a homeowner, chances are you may already have a home insurance policy to protect your home from the worst. But are you aware of all that its designed to cover?
Fortunately, your home insurance policy is there to handle the unforeseen damage that may occur beyond your realm of anticipation or control. But your policy may exclude certain scenarios by which damage could have been prevented. Understanding this fundamental rule can help clarify what exactly is covered under your policy when it comes to mould damage and how to prevent whats not.
How To Make A Mold Insurance Claim
If you find mold, dont touch it. Document it with photos and reach out to your homeowners insurance provider.
The next step would be to review your homeowners insurance policy to see if it covers mold damage. You can also contact your insurance company about the coverage.
If you file a home insurance claim, your insurance agent or an adjuster will contact you and inspect the damage as part of the insurance claims process.
If your mold damage claim is covered, ensure only the applicable charges go toward the mold remediation limit. For example, if your laminate floor costs $2 per square foot to replace without mold and $2.50 per square foot to remove with mold, only $.50 per square foot should be charged to your mold limit. The rest falls under your dwelling coverage limit.
Don’t be intimidated by the home insurance company, either. Most times, mold remediation companies have the expertise to assist in filing your claim, so bring one on board to help.
“If the mold damage is covered, can handle all the aspects of the remediation and submit billing to the carrier on behalf of the policyholder, Ragsdale says. We can help a policyholder through the claims process but have no authority over what is covered or not.”
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Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold In Crawl Spaces
When mold growth in crawl spaces is tied to an insurance claim that was previously covered, like a ruptured water heater or another major appliance, your insurer may also cover the cost of treating and removing the mold. But your policy probably wont include coverage when mold wasnt directly related to a previous claim.
Insurance companies often treat mold in crawl spaces as a maintenance issue because it takes time for it to occur even though mold can realistically form in as little as 24 to 48 hours under the right conditions.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water In Crawl Spaces?
You cant have mold without water, and water damage is one area where your homeowners insurance can start to get a bit grey. If theres standing water in the crawl space under your house, whether or not your homeowners insurance covers the cost of the damages or the repairs depends entirely on how the water got there in the first place.
In most cases, the following instances would be covered by your homeowners insurance policy.
- The standing water is a result of a pipe bursting unexpectedly.
- The standing water is a result of a broken or faulty appliance that leaked into the crawl space.
- Your air conditioning unit malfunctions, causing a sudden flood of water thats trapped in your crawl space.
Here are some other examples of standing water in your crawl space that arent covered by most policies:
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Is Mold A Covered Peril
If the mold was caused by a peril such as a flood, yes, you can claim the damage! This would apply if you have an existing flood policy with your insurance provider, be sure to check this if you live in a flooding area!
Typically, though mold is not considered a covered peril, this is usually because mold can be controlled and prevented in situations .
Each insurance policy is different, though, so it is always worth checking before taking out the policy.
Covered perils are events that the insurance company will cover. Should you file a claim, they often cover fire, lightning, storms, snow and ice, theft, and vandalism.
This is not an exhaustive list, so be sure to check the included covered perils before taking out your insurance policy.
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Covered Perils And Mold Insurance
Homeowners insurance policies spell out a list of covered perils, meaning instances of damage to the home for which youre eligible to file a claim. The main cause of mold formation is water seeping into the structure of your home, so you need to know which water-related covered perils are included in your policy.
For example, your policy may cover you if mold results from any of the following:
- Water leaks associated with a malfunctioning appliance
- Water damage caused by a burst hot water heater
- Water damage caused by firefighters extinguishing a fire in your home
In these instances mold would be resulting damage from a covered peril. Its important to distinguish between resulting damage and initial damage. For example, if your water heater breaks and a leak causes mold to form in the walls, then your policy might pay for the walls to be repaired and the mold to be removed but not for the replacement of the hot water heater.
Its important to note that the amount your policy may pay for mold repair and removal might not cover all of the resulting damage. This extent of mold coverage is typically limitedfor example, a company may cap mold removal and remediation at $10,000 for a single occurrence, says Pat Howard, homeowners insurance expert at Policygenius. Higher coverage limits may be available, but if youre unsure about whats covered, Howard suggests talking to your agent to find out what options you have.
How To Protect Your Home From Mold Growth
Protecting your home from mold growth is relatively simple, and so important for your homes long-term health. Mold tends to grow in humid and warm environments, so there are easy steps you can take to keep it from growing in likely areas such as HVAC closets, bathrooms and gutters.
- Install dehumidifiers in the bathrooms and basement
- Commit to regular home maintenance and cleaning
- Areas especially susceptible to mold growth should be monitored regularly
- Install smart devices to help keep an eye on your homes condition
- Devices like temperature, humidity and water leak sensors can take the guesswork out of home maintenance by immediately alerting you to any issues
As frustrating as it can be, mold growth isnt a death sentence for your home. And with proper preventative care, you can decrease the chance of mold spreading again throughout your home. If you’re looking for an insurer thatll walk you through the claim process, speak to a member of our team about your home insurance options.
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How Can You Prevent Mold Growth
You can take steps to prevent mold growth before it becomes a bigger problem. A few of these steps include:
- Keep the sink areas dry by wiping away any excess water.
- If you are building a new home or remodeling an existing one, use mold-resistant materials.
- Get a dehumidifier to keep your home free of excess humidity.
- Lastly, you can go to a mold specialist to assess your home for mold issues. They can make recommendations to stop a problem before it worsens.
Water Damage Following A Flood
Mold is a common occurrence after a home has been flooded. Homeowners insurance often does not cover flooding, unless you specifically purchase flood insurance. If your insurance policy does not cover flooding, it probably will not cover mold that results from flooding. It may, however, cover mold following a flood if you have flood insurance. If you live in an area prone to flooding, this is definitely something you should look into.
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What Is Not Protected By Most Homeowners Insurance
Termites and insect damage, bird or rodent damage, rust, rot, mold, and general wear and tear are not covered. Damage caused by smog or smoke from industrial or agricultural operations is also not covered. If something is poorly made or has a hidden defect, this is generally excluded and won’t be covered.
When Does Homeowners Insurance Not Cover Mold
Most insurers consider mold to be a home maintenance issue, which isnt covered by homeowners insurance since its viewed as preventable damage.
Mold formation is relatively gradual and in its worst form takes several months of accumulation before you realize it’s caused irrevocable damage to your drywall and flooring. At that point, it may be difficult for you or your insurer to correctly identify the exact cause of the mold and they may chalk it up to neglect or preexisting mold growth.
Mold is also extremely costly to remove with removal costs as high as $30,000 depending on the cause, extent, and location of the buildup and many insurance companies want no part in covering something as preventable and costly as mold.
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When Doesnt Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold
Homeowners insurance doesnt cover mold when it is the result of negligence from the homeowner or in the event of flooding. Mold from hurricanes or ice storms might be covered by homeowners insurance since these events are generally a covered peril. Flood insurance is a separate entity that you must add to your homeowners policy if you need it. This means mold that grows as a result of home flooding isnt covered by a general home insurance policy.
Other example scenarios where mold isnt covered in homeowners insurance policies are:
- If there is a leak for many years that has been ignored
- Not using a dehumidifier in your basement or in any humid climate resulting in black mold
- A storm that causes flooding and consequently mold
What Should You Do If You Find Mold
If you find mold in your attic, its important to take action. Mold can lead to health problems, and homeowners insurance may not cover these costs. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Contact your homeowners insurance company. Tell them that youve found mold in your attic, and ask what coverage they offer.
- Contact a professional mold remediation company. A professional company will be able to clean up the mold and prevent it from spreading.
- Close off the area where the mold is located. This will help keep the area clean and protect other people from coming into contact with the mold.
After the mold in your attic is removed, ensure that all walls and ceilings in your attic are properly sealed. This will help to prevent moisture from entering your attic and facilitating the growth of mold.
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When Does Home Insurance Not Cover Mold Removal
Mold removal isnt covered by insurance when its caused by a peril thats excluded from your insurance policy. Events where home insurance policies usually dont cover mold damage include:
- Improper maintenance: If mold grows slowly over time due to you not making routine repairs, like fixing a leaky pipe or properly sealing around your windows, the claim for that damage would likely be denied.
- Owner neglect: If mold grows because the owner isnt taking steps to reduce moisture, such as running the A/C or dehumidifier in the summer, the repair costs might not be covered. In moist, dark environments, mold can spread and damage items in its path. Thats why its essential to keep humidity in the home low, especially in humidity-prone areas like your bathroom or laundry room.
- Flooding: Homeowners insurance doesnt cover flood damage or mold from a natural event, like a hurricane. For flood coverage, you must purchase flood insurance separately.
- Sump pump failure: Sump pump failures and water backups are usually not covered in a standard homeowners policy either, and mold that results from such a failure will likely not be covered.
- Faulty building materials: If a defect in your home or the materials that built the home caused the mold damage, mold removal might not be covered.
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