Does Insurance Cover Black Mold

When Is Mold Covered By Home Insurance

A standard HO-3 homeowners insurance policy lists mold, fungus or wet rot as exclusions, unless under the following conditions: the mold is hidden within the walls, ceiling, or beneath the floors, if the mold growth results from the âaccidental discharge or overflow of water or steamâ. Mold can begin to form anywhere from 24 to 48 hours after an incidence of water damage, so if youâve recently had a pipe burst or appliance malfunction, make sure the affected areas are completely dry.

Here are a few real-world examples where that may happen.

Does My Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Mold Cleanup

For a longtime, mold cleanup was generally excluded from standard homeowner’sinsurance policies. However, inconsistent decisions from various state courtsstarted to call into question whether mold cleanup was excluded from coveragewhen the mold was caused by something that was covered by theinsurance, for example a ruptured pipe.

Rather thancontinuously litigate mold cases, many insurance companies now include moldcoverage when the mold comes from specific causes. This kind of coverage willusually be for a specified limit and not up to the full amount of overallcoverage.

Similarly,you or your agent might have included a “rider” that added mold coverage toyour policy. If you do have a rider, your general policy may have a moldexclusion, but the rider cancels that standard exclusion and establishes newterms. Finally, you may have purchased a separate mold coverage policy fromanother company, but those are typically quite expensive and you would probablyremember if you had such a policy.

Filing A Homeowners Insurance Claim For Mold

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.

Don’t forget to be your own advocate. If your mold damage claim is allowed, make sure 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. This will allow your mold remediation dollars to go further.

Don’t be intimidated by the home insurance company, either. Most times, mold remediation companies have the expertise to assist in filing your claim.

“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.”

Recommended Reading: Remove Mold From Canvas

How To Prevent Mold In Your Home

Mold is more than a household headache it can cause serious health problems, too. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with allergies, diseases that weaken the immune system and respiratory diseases face the highest mold-related health risks.

Its almost impossible to keep your home mold-free all the time, but with proper maintenance, you can prevent mold from getting out of hand. Often, you can smell the musty odor of mold before you see it or feel a slimy substance when you touch surfaces. Dry mold can grow in linens and pillows and form around dressers, shelves and heating and cooling vents. To prevent mold, regularly follow a few lifestyle and maintenance tips:

• Dry spills immediately
• Regularly check pipes and appliance hoses for leaks and replace hoses before they spring a leak if possible
• Clean surfaces like bathroom tile and ceramic floors with mold-killing products, like bleach
• Install exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms
• Maintain a humidity level of 30% to 60% inside your home
• Paint walls and ceilings with paint that contains mold inhibitors
• Remove carpets from damp areas, like bathrooms and basements
• Dont allow water to accumulate in water reservoirs of house plants
• Inspect your roof and attic for water seepage and promptly make repairs as necessary
• Clean debris from gutters to ensure proper water drainage
• Seal windows and doors to prevent seepage and keep out moisture

Finding Coverage For Mold

If you live in an area prone to mildew or high humidity, you may need more routine maintenance in order to fend off moisture and mold. Even if you meticulously clean your property, mold could go unnoticed and cause extensive damage before you spot it. There may be some coverage options.

Policies that include mold rememdiation. Some homeowners insurance policies, such as policies for high-value homes, will give you more coverage automatically.

For example, Chubb can provide coverage for mold remediation expenses. This includes testing indoor air quality and surfaces, developing a mold remediation plan, and implementing the plan, such as removing, containing and disposing of the mold.

Mold insurance riders. Some insurers offer a mold-damage rider or endorsement that you can add to your policy. This rider removes a policys exclusion for mold.

Keep in mind, mold damage riders might not be offered in your state or by your insurer.

Don’t Miss: Mildew On Leather

Is Mold And Water Damages Covered In My Policy

Mold damage is most commonly caused by water damage, but not all insurance policies cover water damages. While accidental water damages such as pipe bursting and cracking of water tanks are covered by most policies, the standard insurance policies normally do not cover mold damage caused by water damage that has been allowed to fester.

Hence, you need to maintain your house and take care of any issue as it arises. If you file a claim for water damage as soon as it arises, you wont have to pay for any expensive mold remediation out of pocket.

With more and more people opting for mold claims, insurance companies are trying their best to avoid these claims. Hence, you need to make sure before signing the agreement that it covers mold damage as well. Policies may vary, which is why you have to be careful when it comes to selecting a policy.

When Does Home Insurance Cover Mold

The question of whether home insurance covers mold depends on the type of damage and the cause. Typically, homeowners insurance covers mold if the mold growth was caused by what is termed a covered peril. This means that the mold will be covered if it was caused by damage that has been covered by insurance.

The range of covered perils that may result in the insurance coverage of mold removal and repair includes

Read Also: How To Fix Mold On Ceiling

What Are The Homeowners Insurance Coverage Options

As said earlier, homeowners insurance has a limit to its coverage.

Hence, it offers coverage based on two policies: the named peril homeowners insurance and the all-risk peril homeowners insurance.

The named peril is a homeowner insurance policy that covers damages listed specifically in the contract.

This policy offers coverage for only damages that could result in a total loss. The named peril policy could be broad or basic.

The basic named peril covers a limited amount of perils, while the broad named peril covers a wider range of occurrences.

All damages covered under this policy are fire, falling objects, lightning, hailstorm, explosion, smoke, burglary, vandalism, aircraft collision, vehicle collision and riot, accidental water damage, ice, or snow weight damage.

This policy does not cover every other damage excluded from this list

Then there is the special all-risk policy that offers coverage for all kinds of perils except those damages that are specifically excluded from the policy.

In the all-risk policy, the ordinance of law, earthquake, flood, power failure, nuclear hazards, war, neglect, and intentional acts are typically not covered.

What To Do If Your Claim Is Denied

The first thing you should do is consider whether the insurance company may have made a mistake in denying your claim. You always have the ability to file an appeal, either directly to the insurance carrier or the states department of banking and insurance, if you feel its a legitimate loss thats been denied, said Hickey.

If you dont have mold coverage or your appeal is denied youll want to hire a professional to remediate the mold before it gets worse. If you have difficulty financing mold removal that wasnt covered by insurance, consider a home equity loan or home equity line of credit . Some mold remediators also work with lenders to offer financing directly. And your family could qualify for state or federal loans or grants. For example, the Section 504 Home Repair program provides loans and grants to qualified low-income families.

Finally, you should make sure that mold damage doesnt become an issue in the future. That means making sure that you have the right coverage in place and taking proactive steps to prevent mold. It comes down to being aware of moisture, says Hoffman. Cleaning up spills right away, using exhaust fans, and maintaining your appliances and air conditioning system can all help you avoid common causes of mold.

Also Check: How To Clean Bathroom Ceiling Mildew

Apartment Mold Isnt An Eyesore Its A Potential Health Hazard

To be clear, very few types of mold are toxic. As a matter of fact, not all mold that is black is toxic. Thats a specific type of black mold, and requires professional remediation. But even garden-variety mold in your apartment is problematic for your health. Not because its all toxic, but because it can interfere with your respiratory system.

If youre having trouble breathing, or if youve noticed ongoing symptoms that feel like hay fever but just wont go away, mold may be the cause and youd be well advised to look for it. Remember that mold can and does grow in hidden areas, especially areas with a slow leak.

Just because its growing in a hidden space doesnt mean it will stay in that space, or that it wont impact your health. The spores can travel to interfere with your breathing anywhere in the home. In apartments with poor ventilation or shared ventilation, it can even be a threat to your neighbors.

• If Your Claim Is Denied, Do This

Homeowners insurance is designed to cover you against various types of damage, but you may be wondering whether that includes mold. Its a good question to ask, particularly if youre purchasing an older home and want to avoid any potentially costly surprises. The answer isnt always clear-cut. Generally, standard homeowners insurance policies can cover mold to an extent, says Sean Harper, CEO and co-founder of Kin, a Chicago-based insurtech startup. It depends on what caused the mold.

Water Damage From A Leaky Roof

Homeowners insurance usually wont pay for water damage that results from a leaky roof, and most policies wont cover mold damage that results from a leaky roof, either. However, if something happens like a tree limb falls and crashes through your roof, leaving a hole in the middle of a rain storm, that damage usually will be covered by homeowners insurance. In that case, your insurance policy might also cover any resulting mold damage.

Also Check: How To Clean Black Mold In Basement

Examples Of Situations When Mold Damage May Be Covered2 3

Here are some scenarios in which you would be covered for resulting mold damage2, 3:

• Malfunctioning appliance, such as a washer or dishwasher, causing a leak
• Burst or frozen pipe
• Broken water heater
• Water damage caused from extinguishing a fire

Its important to note that for situations such as these, the mold is resulting damage not initial damage. That means your insurance can help you with mold remediation and repairing your floors or walls, but it will probably not replace a broken appliance. Your policy might also have a cap on the amount it pays toward mold removal, which may not cover all of the mold damage.2

Example Scenarios When Mold Damage May Not Be Covered

You probably wont be covered if mold forms in your home due to1, 2:

• A poorly ventilated bathroom or kitchen causing an increase in humidity
• Improper sealing around the base of a toilet or shower, allowing water to seep through the floor
• Dirty or broken roof gutters forcing water to flow over other parts of the house

If your insurance deems that your mold damage was preventable, then you may end up paying entirely out of pocket to make your repairs.

Even when mold damage is beyond your control, your insurance may still not provide support. Flooding, for instance, isnt usually covered in a standard homeowners insurance policy and often requires having flood insurance.2 If youre in a high-risk area, this could be a worthwhile purchase or it may even be required by law.4

Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Mildew On Bathroom Ceiling

When Is Mold Covered By Renters Insurance

Mold growth is covered by renters insurance when it can be traced back to a covered peril.

A peril is an event that causes property damage

In insurance lingo, a peril is an event that damages your property or otherwise causes you to file an insurance claim. A peril can be either covered or excluded .

Insurance providers dont consider mold itself to be a peril because it doesnt grow without help. Mold grows due to excessive moisture, which in turn can usually be traced back to something else, like a leak, a sewage backup, or a flood.

If the molds root cause was a covered peril, the mold itself will also be covered.

How To File Mold Insurance Claims

You can file a mold claim the same way you file a regular homeowners insurance claim, with a few slight adjustments. To improve your chances of a successful claim, you need to take every step possible to prevent mold from forming. That way, the claims adjuster can see that youve acted responsibly to mitigate the damage, even if unavoidable mold begins to form. Before filing a claim:

• Dry all affected areas as quickly and thoroughly as possible
• Stop leaking pipes by shutting off the water to your house
• Remove soaked items such as carpeting, furniture, insulation and mattresses
• Open doors and windows and use fans to promote faster drying
• Clean all affected areas with detergent to prevent bacteria spread
• Cover damaged areas such as a hole in the roof or a broken window
• Take photos of all damage, including closeups and wide shots
• Contact your insurance agent to file a claim

If your policy doesnt exclude mold damage for covered losses, its best to separate the mold repair expenses from other repair costs. For example, if storm damage soaks the drywall in your bedroom and mold forms, the contractor likely will charge you a mold remediation fee. List the mold remediation fee separately from the drywall removal costs. By separating the expenses, you can minimize the risk of a claim denial if the insurer doesnt want to pay for mold remediation.

Don’t Miss: How To Stop Mold From Growing On Wood

How To Treat And Remove House Mold

If mold has already made an appearance in your home, it’s important to nip it in the bud. Depending on the extent of the mold, you can either apply home treatments or hire a professional.

Before taking action, be sure to take pictures of the mold. This documentation is important if you plan to submit an insurance claim.

Do-It-Yourself Mold RemovalThere are various mold-killing products available on the market. When working around mold, always wear long rubber gloves, goggles, and an N-95 respirator. For proper disposal, place moldy items and cleaning materials in an airtight plastic bag.

Here are tips for removing mold from certain areas:

• For hard surfaces: Scrubbing with detergent and water should remove the mold.
• For walls, showers, or windows: Clean off the mold first and then repaint or recaulk.
• For porous or absorbent materials, like carpet or ceiling tiles: Remove the affected areas and throw them away.
• For upholstery items, like furniture: Have a professional remove the material and reupholster.

When to Hire a ProfessionalIf the mold is extensive, you should hire a mold remediation service. The EPA recommends hiring a professional if the moldy area is more than 10 square feet .

Once you remove the mold, be sure to fix the problem that caused the mold. Otherwise, it will make a return appearance.

Can You Sell a House With Mold?

How Much Does It Cost To Remove Mold From A House

The average cost of mold removal is $2,347,1 but removing mold from an entire home can cost up to $30,000. This makes it even more crucial to spot mold early or prevent it altogether in order to avoid the high costs of remediation.

Getting rid of mold as soon as possible is extremely important in stopping its spread. Small mold remediation can cost an average of $4581 while larger scale remediation averages at about $6,333. If the infected area is more than 10 square feet, its best to hire a qualified mold inspector and get a quote. Such an inspector can charge $200 $6002 for a visit.

Mold removal costs depend on the area that it is being removed from:

• Crawl spaces only: $500 $4,000
• Ducts, crawl spaces, walls, attics: $2,000 $6,000
• Widespread structural damage: $10,000 $30,000+

The Environmental Protection Agency permits areas of mold that are less than 10 square feet to be cleaned by homeowners themselves with long gloves that go to the middle of your forearm, goggles and an N-95 respirator.

Recommended Reading: How To Stop Mold On Bathroom Ceiling