Is Mold Remediation Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
No one wants mold in their home, and it’s easy to know why. Mold exposure has been linked to health effects such as a stuffy nose, wheezing, red or itchy eyes, and irritated skin. The CDC reminds us that some people, like those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
The question is, if you find mold in your home what can you do about it? Depending on the severity of the mold issues, professional mold remediation services could range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. Is this mold removal money something you need to come up with out of pocket, or will your homeowners insurance cover it? Many people ask us this question, so let’s dig a bit deeper into the answer right now.
Table of Contents
- What the Insurance Companies Will Cover
- What Isn’t Covered
- Your Financial Options for Mold Mold Remediation
What the Insurance Companies Will Cover
Insurance companies often vaguely word their policies regarding mold coverage. This makes it difficult to determine whether any mold damage you discover will be covered. ValuePenguin puts it as plainly as possible by stating that policies typically exclude coverage for mold damage, with the exception of when the mold is the result of a covered claim.
This includes water damage. A standard homeowners insurance policy protects Orlando homeowners from water damage caused by sudden and accidental incidents. This includes a burst pipe. If the resulting moisture from the burst pipe causes mold to grow, you could file a claim for mold remediation. Your policy would also cover the repair of any property permanently damaged by the mold, like new drywall and paint.
What Isn’t Covered
There are two factors at play here. Most insurance companies provide policies that state a maximum limit they are willing to pay out for mold remediation. As well, mold caused by your own neglect or lack of general maintenance will be denied by your insurance company. Let’s say you left the window open during a rainstorm and this moisture led to mold growth. They’re going to tell you that you’re on your own!
Also, consider that mold damage resulting from a flood is not going to be covered, due to the fact that flooding is a peril excluded from your standard homeowner’s insurance policy. On the other hand, if you purchased a separate flood insurance policy, this coverage would extend to any mold damage caused by the flood.
There is mold remediation insurance, but this is very costly in the state of Florida and many homeowners don’t feel it is worth it.
Your Financial Options for Mold Remediation
Whether mold damage is covered by your homeowners insurance policy largely depends on both the cause of the mold as well as what specific policy or policies you hold.
All of this information may make you feel like the topic of homeowners insurance and what is or is not covered is pretty complex. You’re right! You don’t need to figure it all out on your own, though. We’re here to help! Contact us by emailing service@moldremediationoforlando.com or calling 407-965-5722. We’ll work directly with your insurance company to ensure you pay as little as possible, while also removing as many mold spores as possible. Don’t shoulder this financial burden on your own!