Will Insurance Cover My Mold Damage?
A good question a lot of homeowners ask is, “Will insurance cover my mold damage?” The answer is not quite so simple. Possibly. First and foremost, the mold must have been caused by a covered loss. Most of the time, this means sudden and accidental water damage. If the water damage causes the resulting mold growth, then it is typically covered.
Most insurance policies cover these types of water damage:
- Frozen water pipes
- Plumbing supply lines
- Refrigerator ice maker
- Roof leaks (due to storms not due to old age of the roof)
- Water heaters that malfunction
- Problems with shower and tub basins
Once it has been determined that the water damage is covered, then it must be determined that the water damage caused the mold growth. This determination is often done by an environmental company with some mold testing. A qualified inspector must be able to show that the water damage caused the mold damage.
Sometimes there is mold at a property that was pre-existing and caused by something like a damp crawlspace, a dryer vent that wasn’t connected, a backed up gutter, or other lack of maintenance. If the water damage is a lack of maintenance or was caused by water loss (that is not covered) then the mold damage cleanup is not covered.
Also, there are some insurance companies, such as State Farm, that have a mold exclusion policy. This means they don’t extend coverage to most mold damages no matter what the cause. The mold cleanup part of the job will not be covered in these situations, though the water damage itself is still covered. A quality water damage restoration company will inform you properly on what is covered by insurance and what is not, and they will give you the opportunity to pay for the mobile cleaning portion yourself.
It is always smart to review your current policy. If it states there is no mold coverage, I strongly recommend that you find a company that extends to at least $5000 worth of coverage. At the present time, Allstate, USAA, and Travelers Insurance Company have some mold coverage available. $5000 may sound like a lot of coverage, but when dealing with a complicated mold situation even that may not be enough. A good insurance adjuster will cover much of the project under the category of water damage and separate the mold cost to try to keep the mold damage part of the claim under the $5000 cap.
Determining if your insurance policy will cover your mold damages can be frustrating, and technical a qualified mold inspection company can help by first determining what caused your mold damages. Then, it is best to meet with a good water damage restoration company, a mold testing firm, and the insurance adjuster all at the same time on site at your property together. If a covered water loss caused your mold growth, there is a good chance the mold damage cleanup will be covered.
Remember, each case is different and so is each insurance policy. Review your insurance policy and make sure you’re covered before you need a mold cleanup.
