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No one wants to find mold lurking in their home. Not only can certain types of mold be harmful to your health, but it can also cause significant and expensive damage to your floors, walls, and belongings. In today’s blog, we answer the question: does home insurance cover mold?
When Does Home Insurance Cover Mold Damage?
When answering any question about what home insurance covers, you need to consider the cause of the damage. Mold damage, for example, will only be covered when it’s caused by a covered peril, which should be listed in your policy.
So, if a burst or frozen pipe leads to water and mold damage in your kitchen or if mold develops due to water damage caused by extinguishing a fire, your insurance coverage will likely pay for the removal of the mold and the repair of any floors or walls that are damaged beyond repair. Learn more about water damage covered by home insurance.
When Doesn’t Home Insurance Cover Mold Damage?
Homeowners insurance policies are designed to only cover sudden, accidental damage, which means that water damage and the resulting mold caused by not maintaining your home will not be covered.
If, for example, mold develops in your bathroom because of poor ventilation or because of a leaky faucet you haven’t fixed, most standard home insurance policies won’t cover the ensuing mold damage.
Standard homeowners insurance policies also exclude mold damage caused by sump pump failure or flood damage. That said, many insurance companies offer additional sump pump failure and water backup coverage that can be added to your home insurance policy. Flood insurance is also available as its own standalone policy, but it will depend on the specific policy and the circumstances as to whether mold is covered.
Should I File a Claim for Mold?
It depends. While your home insurance will cover sudden and accidental mold damage from a broken water heater or washer, it likely won’t pay to replace the appliance itself. Many insurance companies also limit the amount they will pay for mold removal. Because of this, it’s important to consider both your deductible and how much it will actually cost to remove the mold and repair the damage before filing a Homeowners insurance claim.
Have more questions? Contact your independent insurance agent in California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, or Wyoming today to learn more about what’s covered by your homeowners insurance policy from Grange Insurance Association. In the meantime, check out our helpful blog where we cover everything from how to prevent water damage from 7 common sources to the dangers of DIY home improvement projects.
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