But some forms of mold are considered hazardous, such as black mold, which can produce chemicals that cause severe illness. Usually mold, mildew, fungus or spores will be covered by home insurance if they were the result of a specific problem that was covered by your policy.
An example would be water damage from a burst pipe that then leads to mold. In some cases you can add mold coverage with higher limits in exchange for a premium increase.
Most homeowners insurance policies have a long list of exclusions of damage caused by mold. Some policies may have exceptions to the exclusions and will provide very minimal coverage for mold contamination. 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. Mold insurance riders. Some insurers offer a mold-damage rider or endorsement that you can add to your policy.
If you think you suspect mold in your home, here are a few tips for successfully navigating your claim. Be ready to advocate for yourself. A home insurance company might quickly deny a mold claim. Ask for an investigation into the cause. Make a claim. In that case, your homeowners insurance policy would likely cover the mold damage. Home insurance companies will cover sudden and accidental damage, but don't generally cover mold damage that could have been prevented.
Even if you file a successful claim with your insurance company for mold remediation, chances are it won't cover it all. The process of remediating mold from a property is a time-consuming one.
To mitigate these costs, insurers have sub-limits. Depending on the company you're with, there may be an option to increase that coverage. And remember, there is no small way to handle mold other than full remediation, so don't cut corners. This depends on the reason for the mold. If your insurance policy covers the remediation, check limits and sub-limits. It is likely the mold remediation will cost more than the policies limit. It is unlikely that your home insurance will cover the mold resulting from a leaky pipe unless it can be proven that the mold was not a result of negligence to fix the leak.
It is not recommended to paint over mold. Proper mold remediation should be done to eliminate the mold issue. Home insurance will typically only cover mold if it was the result of a covered peril and not the result of negligence. If a covered peril occurs, act quickly by contacting your insurance agent promptly to start the claims process.
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While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer.
The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. Mold is more than just a smelly eyesore — it can also cause serious problems to your home and your health.
Some types of molds cause more problems than others. While everyday household mold can slowly spread year-round in some climates, it can grow out of control following a calamity that causes water damage to your home.
Performing regular cleaning and home maintenance is the best way to control everyday mold. But if disaster strikes and you need professional mold removal, will your homeowners insurance cover the cost? 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 like mold are a little trickier and whether your policy will cover that damage usually depends on the source of the damage.
If your home is damaged by a covered peril and results in mold, your homeowners policy may provide coverage. For example, if a storm breaks a window in your home, causing rainwater to soak your floors and walls leading to a mold outbreak, your policy may pay to remedy the damage because the storm was a named peril.
Similarly, if a burst pipe causes extensive water damage and results in mold, your homeowners policy may provide coverage to remove the mold as part of the mitigation effort to restore your property. Any coverage would be subject to your deductible and any mold coverage limit applied by your property insurer. Flooding is one of the main causes of mold damage because it can be a lengthy amount of time after a flood before mitigation efforts begin.
According to the EPA, mold growth can begin within hours after flood damage. Unfortunately, flood damage is not a named peril covered by a standard homeowners policy. The Federal Emergency Management Agency makes flood insurance available through its National Flood Insurance Program, but the coverage may exclude mold damage. See privacy policy.
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Pro Tip Make sure you understand your insurance coverage, add a mold rider if necessary, and take steps to prevent mold damage. Trending 1.
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