When you come across mold growing in your home, business, or property that you’re looking to buy, you may wonder ‘how am I going to pay for this?”. Fortunately, in some situations, homeowners insurance can cover the cost of mold remediation. But, it’s important to know the ins and outs of your specific insurance policy to determine if mold removal is covered. So, is mold covered by insurance? Find out in this article.
Is Mold Covered by Insurance?
If you’ve found mold in your home, and you have homeowner’s insurance, you may be wondering if your insurance policy will cover the mold removal. And, it might, depending on your insurance plan. Homeowner’s insurance plans that cover mold removal and remediation list “mold”, “water damage”, or other issues that relate to mold under the “covered peril” section of the contract.
So, whether or not your homeowner’s insurance covers the cost of mold removal is dependent upon your specific policy. However, if your policy does cover mold removal and remediation, there may be a limit on the cost of coverage. The best thing to do is to call up your homeowner’s insurance company and ask about your specific policy to determine if there will be coverage and how much coverage is available.
What to do When You Find Mold in Your Home
Whether or not your homeowner’s insurance policy covers mold removal or damage, it’s important to address mold as soon as possible. This is because certain types of mold are dangerous to human health. Especially for elderly individuals, people who suffer from immune deficiencies, and infants. The only way to know what kind of mold is growing in your home is to have it tested by professional mold specialists. Furthermore, catching mold growth quickly can reduce the chance of it spreading to other areas of your home.
Your Insurance DOES Cover Mold, so Make a Claim!
If you think your homeowner’s insurance policy does cover mold damage or removal, it’s time to file a claim so that your insurance company can begin the process of covering some or all of the remediation costs. Filing a claim entails:
- Dialing your insurance company on the phone and asking to schedule an appointment with an insurance adjuster
- Preventing mold from growing by eliminating humidity sources including turning off your HVAC unit, opening windows, and using fans on wet spots mold is growing to assist with drying out the affected areas
- Removing yourself and your family from the area of the home affected by mold to decrease the risk of sickness caused by mold
- Recording the mold’s presence with picture and video evidence
- Determining the coverage of your mold repair and remediation with your insurance adjuster
- Fixing any reason why water or humidity may be entering the home and providing mold with the means of growing including leaking pipes, broken windows, etc.
- Using air humidifiers to attempt to bring humidity levels down
Tips for Talking to Your Insurance Adjuster
Once your insurance adjuster comes to assess the mold issue, there are a few tips you can keep in mind to help your chances of coverage. Some tips for talking to your insurance adjuster include:
- Don’t agree that the mold has been there long term
- Don’t give any hints or provide guesses as to why water or humidity may be in the home, stimulating mold growth
- Don’t sign any contracts with the insurance company until a complete inspection has been completed
After Filing Your Homeowners Claim About Mold
Is mold covered by insurance that you have? If so, it’s time to find the right mold remediation company to fix the issue as as soon as possible. This way, you don’t have to worry about the dangers of mold and start to take your home back. If you’re in South Florida, consider A Plus Mold Remediation, a complete mold removal service that offers inspection services, identification services, and complete remediation services for those living with mold issues.