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In many cases, regular maintenance and cleaning should be sufficient to avoid mold growth. They might, however, nonetheless slip in between the cracks. Furthermore, they are difficult to manage and expensive to get rid of.
If you're unsure if mold damage is covered by your homeowners insurance, this blog is for you. Continue reading to learn more about homeowners insurance when it comes to mold damage.
Mold coverage is typically excluded from the homeowner's insurance policy. Water damage is one of the many perils that are covered by homeowners insurance, along with fire, smoke, vandalism, theft, and others.
However, since mold is a side effect of water damage, your insurer might not classify it as a covered peril. It depends on what caused the mold. In addition, many insurers do provide a supplementary mold rider for a cost, which could prove beneficial since it covers mold damage regardless of the cause.
Let's look at a few mold causes and whether they fall under the purview of the homeowners policy:
Mold Caused by Covered Perils: Your insurance company may pay for mold remediation if a covered peril damages your house. Storm damage and water damage from burst pipes are mostly just two examples of the perils that are covered. Any coverage, though, would be subject to your deductible and any mold coverage limits imposed by your homeowners insurance.
Mold Caused by Flooding: Your insurance coverage does not cover flooding because it is not a covered peril in a standard homeowners policy. Depending on the insurer, it might be possible to get it covered by flood insurance. If you own it, ask your insurer if your flood insurance policy covers it.
Mold Caused by Sewer Backup: Mold damage caused by a sewer backup is not covered by the homeowners policy. It may only be covered if you have purchased the sewer backup add-on with your mold rider on your homeowners policy.
Mold Caused by Negligence: Even if you have the optional mold rider, any mold damage brought on by negligence on your side is not covered by the homeowners policy. Negligence is not a covered peril under any policy.
Even while molds are inevitable, you may always take precautions to slow their spread. In order to submit a claim for mold damage, you might first need to take a few actions to demonstrate to your insurer that you've been making an effort to slow the growth of the mold. The actions you must take before submitting a claim are listed below:
To stop the spread of bacteria, quickly dry off the damaged areas and clean them with detergent.
Cut off the water supply to any pipes that have leaks.
Keep any soaked items out of the way, including rugs, mattresses, and other similar items.
To encourage quicker drying, open the windows and doors and utilize fans.
Take pictures of all damage, both up close and from a distance.
Finally, claim by contacting your insurance agent and producing the pictures you’ve taken.
To prevent mold, follow these maintenance tips regularly:
Check pipes and appliance hoses frequently for leaks, and if possible, repair hoses before they spring a leak.
Use mold-killing agents, like bleach, to clean surfaces like bathroom tile and ceramic floors.
Dry spills right away.
Consider installing exhaust fans in your bathrooms and kitchen.
Keep the humidity in your home between 30% and 60%.
Apply mold-inhibiting paint on the walls and ceilings.
Carpets should be removed from damp spaces, such as bathrooms and basements.
As per your unique needs and risk exposures, East End Insurance Agency offers homeowners insurance policies with mold rider coverage. Contact our professionals right away to get started or if you have any questions about the policy.
