Usaa Renters Insurance Review
With a USAA renters insurance policy, you can get flood and earthquake protection included in your liability and personal property coverage. To see if youre eligible for a USAA membership, read our review.
USAA was founded close to 100 years ago with the goal of helping current or former military members and their family. One way USAA helps military members and their family members is by providing renters insurance with personal property and liability coverage for as low as $10 per month.
Keep reading our USAA renters insurance review and determine if its the best renters insurance company for you and your family.
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of a USAA renters insurance policy below.
Loss Of Use Or Additional Living Expenses
If you can’t live in your home after a disaster covered by your policy, renters insurance coverage generally pays for you to live elsewhere during repairs. It can cover expenses like hotel bills, restaurant meals and other costs above what you would normally pay.
Example: After the fire in your living room, you need to move out for a couple of weeks while your apartment is cleaned up and fixed. Your insurance company can help pay for your motel stay. It can also cover the cost difference between making your own meals and eating out every night .
» MORE:Loss of use coverage for homeowners and renters
Special Limits And Exclusions
Some insurance carriers write provisions into their renters insurance policies that limit the amount theyll pay for mold damage . In extreme cases, providers will decline to cover mold damage under any circumstances, but this is relatively rare.
The only way to know whether your policy features a limit like this is to read it, or to phone your insurer and ask.
Takeaways
- Mold is covered by renters insurance if the mold growth can be traced back to a covered peril, like a malfunctioning AC unit
- All types of mold are covered, including black mold
- Mold isnt covered if it was caused by an excluded peril, like a flood or sewer backup, or if it was caused by your own negligence
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Mold Damage Cleanup Should You Use A Pro Or Diy
Mold cleanup is something that you need to take seriously. Whether mold is a result of flood or a sewer backup insurance claim, how you approach cleanup will depend on several factors.
The first thing you need to do if you find mold determines the size of the issue. Small areas of mold can be cleaned up by you, however, a larger presence should be handed by a professional mold remediation company.
The US Environmental Protection Agency explains :
The US Environmental Protection Agency explains :
Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One consideration is the size of the problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet , in most cases, you can handle the job yourself.
Other things to consider when determining whether or not to use a professional are :
- Where is it located? : If its near an HVAC unit and could have gotten into the system, call a professional.
- What is the source? : If the mold is a result of sewer backup or potentially contaminated water, a professional is your best option.
Does Home Insurance Cover Mold
In most cases, homeowners insurance policies do not cover mold damage. When you purchase a homeowners insurance policy, your insurer will outline the named perils that are covered by your policy. Generally, named perils such as fire and smoke, hail, explosions, vandalism, theft and falling objects are covered. Water damage and its secondary effects are a little trickier and whether your policy will cover that damage usually depends on the source of the damage. Because mold remediation can cost up $10 to $25 per square foot, purchasing an optional mold rider may be a worthwhile investment if your insurance carrier offers that coverage.
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Does Renters Insurance Cover Mold Caused By The Apartment Itself
If the apartment has an inherent defect, such as a recurring leak that they have not bothered to fix, thats likely the managements problem to deal with. This would include mold on their property, like your window sill.
If you are aware of the problem than you have a duty to prevent it from affecting your property to whatever extent possible. For example, dont store your clothes under a leak that you know exists. If you neither knew, nor should have known about it before discovering the mold, and made a valiant effort to fix the problem as soon as possible, than the endorsement mentioned earlier will provide some coverage for your personal property.
Renters insurance can and does cover damage from mold casused by a covered peril, as long as you made a good faith effort to keep it from getting worse. Remember that mold is one of those things that grows exponentially. Kill it quickly and kill it right to stop it from spreading and notify the complex office. For a free review of your renters insurance policy to find out if it has the mold endorsement and would cover a situation like this, call Effective Coverage at or click above for a free quote on a new renters insurance policy in Texas or nationwide!
Does Renters Insurance Cover Mold
Find Cheap Renters Insurance Quotes in Your Area
If mold destroys objects in your rental home, your renters insurance may cover you depending on the cause of the mold. Mold tends to be a gray area because of certain exceptions. In this article, we’ll clear up any confusion and ambiguities surrounding renters insurance and mold damage.
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A Renters Insurance Policy Covers Extra Living Expenses If You Have To Move
Goodcover renters insurance policy will cover extra living expenses when you can’t live comfortably in your home due to a covered mold loss. Well pay for your stay in another rental unit or a hotel room until the mold is treated.
While some insurance policies will include temporary housing coverage, others wont. This extra coverage is often under-appreciated, so we usually bundle it with property coverage for you.
Since insurance companies don’t pay out unjustified claims, your temporary housing coverage might have some restrictions.
Goodcover needs a mold remediation company’s report to determine if you should move out or stay in your house when remediators work on the mold damage.
You may remain in your home if the remediators believe only a small area of your house is affected, and they can work around you. But if they say you have to leave for a few days, that’ll be the maximum hotel stay you can claim. And there will be limits on the amount you can spend per night, week, or month.
Along with the temporary housing coverage, well also pay for remediation and necessary testing or monitoring of air to confirm the presence or absence of mold, fungi, other microbes, or rot.
Can House Mold Be Eradicated
You can prevent mold by keeping surface moisture and humidity to a minimum, and then tackle spots as soon as they are visible to stop its spread. Since its impossible to get rid of mold in the house completely, its important to keep your air clear by regularly replacing air filters.
How long can you live in a house with mold? So, how long you can really stay inside a room with mold? 2 days. Also even worse, if you dont take any action the mold will certainly continue growing until actions are taken to get rid of the problem. Drying out extensively may assist avoid prompt and long-term health problems.
Can mold in a house be fixed? In fact, more often than not, mold problems can be solved. Not only that, the presence of mold can put you in a good negotiating position as a buyer, often resulting in getting a better deal on the house.
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What Is Mold Anyway
Okay, now youre saying, duh! Its that icky, green, gray fuzzy stuff thats stinking up my laundry room! And, youre right. Another phrase for it is an environmental hazard that can cause significant health problems such as:
Tenants have won multi-million dollar cases against their landlords for allowing them to be exposed to mold that led to some of these conditions. Its no joke.
When Mold Is Not Covered
Your insurer wont cover a claim resulting from neglect. For example, if your showerhead has continuously leaked for months resulting in water damage and, consequently, mold. Or if your window is not properly sealed and rain leaks through continuously over time leading to mold growth. Claims are more likely to be rejected if mold is caused by neglected home maintenance: long-term exposure to humidity, or repeated water leaks and seepage.
Also, no mold damage resulting from a flood would be covered since flooding is a peril excluded from your homeowners insurance policy. However, if you purchased a separate flood insurance policy, that coverage would typically extend to any mold damage caused by a flood.
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How To Prevent Molds
Its reassuring to know that your renters insurance policy protects your belongings from mold. However, its better and cheaper to prevent a mold infestation from happening in the first place. Since mold grows in moist and warm areas, its good to ensure your plumbing system is leak-proof and your rooms are well-ventilated.
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Keep humidity levels as low as possible
A humidity level of 50% or higher can cause mold in your house. Consider purchasing an air conditioner or dehumidifier to control your homes humidity.
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Ensure free-flowing air
Keeping your windows opened will ensure free-flowing air inside your house, which reduces moisture. Installing exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom will also reduce humidity.
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Locate and fix leaking pipes
Check your pipes and fittings for any signs of leaks and fix or replace broken ones.
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Clean up and dry quickly after a flood
If your house is flooded, clean up fully within 48 hours to avoid mold growth. Check spots that may have remained damp after being soaked in flood water.
Mold Caused By Other Named Perils
Because mold is typically excluded when it results from another covered peril, usually the accidental water and steam discharge peril, it may be covered when it results from a peril from which its not excluded.
For example, if a vandal breaks into your home and trashes it, spilling a full vase across your rug, you may be covered for mold that develops on the rug. Vandalism and other forms malicious activity, like theft, are covered perils and dont typically contain an exclusion for mold caused by the vandalism.
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Is Your Landlord Responsible For Mold Damage
Laws for landlord responsibilities regarding mold aren’t common at either the state or federal levels. This is largely because the health impacts of mold are still considered unclear.
Despite the vagueness of mold remediation on the legal level, they’re a bit more clear-cut in terms of insurance. Under renters rights, your landlord is responsible for mold problems within the structure of your rental apartment, house or condo, such as on the walls, ceiling and floor.
If a mold bloom occurs in any of these areas and damages your belongings, you will probably have to go through your landlord’s insurance to file a claim and get reimbursed for the damage. Should your landlord choose not to repair mold damage they’re responsible for, you may have to use legal recourse.
Get Your Renters Insurances Mold Damage Coverage Sorted Out With Goodcover
Mold is a complicated issue in the insurance world. In most cases, renters insurance covers mold only if a named peril caused the property damage. Otherwise, they won’t reimburse you.
With Goodcover, youll get affordable renters insurance starting at $5 per month. We aim to build a community of members who enjoy financial security at the lowest possible cost.
Get a renters insurance quote and become a member today. We’ll do the work for you if you’re switching and refund any money you’ve already paid.
Note: This post is meant for informational purposes, insurance regulation and coverage specifics vary by location and person. Check your policy for exact coverage information.
Goodcover Insurance Solutions, LLC is an insurance agency licensed to sell property-casualty insurance products. Goodcover will receive compensation from insurance carrier partners for such sales. Refer to the Legal Notices section for additional information.
Issuance of coverage is subject to underwriting review and approval. Coverage may not be available in all states. Please see a copy of the policy for the full terms, conditions and exclusions. Policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the insurance carrier listed in your Policy Declarations. Coverage scenarios are hypothetical and shown for illustrative purposes only. Coverage is dependent on the actual facts and circumstances giving rise to a claim.
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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.
How To Prevent Mold
With moisture comes the possibility of mold. Mold can grow anywhere in your home, even above ceiling tiles and inside your walls, so its important to practice moisture control:
- Check for water leaks/spills and fix them right away
- Make sure rainwater flows away from your home
- Watch for condensation on your walls and windowsyou may need to turn down or shut off your humidifier if you notice increased moisture
- Consider running a dehumidifier in your basement or other damp areas of your home
- Keep your gutters clean and functional
- Make sure fresh air circulates throughout your home to decrease moisture
- Perform routine maintenance on all appliances that use water
- Avoid carpet in wet areas like basements and bathrooms
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Read Also: How To Prevent Mold And Mildew In House
When Mold Is Usually Covered
In most cases, if mold results from a sudden and accidental covered peril, such as a pipe bursting or the dishwasher overflowing, the cost of the mold remediation should be covered. Thats because technically the pipe burst or faulty dishwasher is the reason for the claim not the mold itself.
Another example is a house fire. Lets say fortunately the firefighters arrived in time to keep most of your home intact. However, due to the water from the fire hoses your home has developed mold. That could be covered by home insurance.
Filing A Mold Insurance Claim
It’s important to address mold insurance claims the moment you discover mold. Getting someone out to begin drying the property within the first 48 hours can help contain mold growth. If you don’t receive an immediate response from your insurance company, stick with it. Be courteous, but firm. The longer you wait, the more time the mold has to grow.
Insurers have different methods for filing a claim. Some will take your claim by phone. Others will encourage you to fill out an online form. Follow your insurer’s lead.
No matter how the insurer prefers a claim be made, keep accurate and detailed records of everyone you speak with at the insurance company, including date, time, and what they told you.
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If You Have A Water Leak Or Flooding
Follow these tips to prevent more damage after a water leak or flood:
When Doesn’t Renters Insurance Cover Mold
There are many listed exclusions that your insurance company will not compensate you for when it comes to mold damage. The one we caution most renters about is external floods: those from a storm surge, heavy rains or even overflowing sewage. If mold grows as a result of the first two, you need to have a separate flood insurance policy in order to get claim payouts for those belongings. If your sewer system overflows and results in mold, you’re out of luck unless you purchased a that gives your belongings extra coverage for sewage backup.
Mold also won’t be covered if it can be proven the cause was a result of your negligence. One example would be if there is an internal flood in your apartment and you used towels to dry the area. If you left those towels in the corner of your room for weeks on end, and mold grew, ruining all your other clothing, you would not be covered. Even though technically it was water damage that was the first cause, insurers view your failure to remove the towels as the ultimate cause.
When your landlord may be liable
Mold also affects things that are beyond the scope of renters insurance policies and are instead the responsibility of your landlord. Remember that renters insurance is only meant to cover your personal property and never any structure of the home. Mold caused by a leaky roof, pipe, wall or which pre-dated your move into the rental is the responsibility or the landlord to remediate.
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