Video transcriptIs Mold Removal Covered by Insurance?
If a property owner has mold that they need to get taken care of, is this something that's covered under homeowners insurance? Steve, remember we buy insurance and it covers us for accidents. And the language is said it's something that is sudden and accidental. Most of the policies have either a limit for mold. We can increase that limit. We could actually call our insurance agent and find out what is the limit for mold coverage. You can increase it to $10,000 or whatever the amount you need.
But still, it will only be covered if that mold was caused by something that was sudden and accidental. Here's a good example. Imagine you and your family, you go on vacation and you were not home for four or five days. And while you were gone, some type of a water damage, maybe a burst pipe happened in the home that flooded the house. And then because it was not dried right away, you come back and your house looks like it has all kinds of mushrooms and flowers growing, right?
So the way to go about it, number one thing is when you're making a claim, don't call your insurance company and say, I have mold that needs to be covered. The right way to go about it would be to say, I have a water damage. And so the water damage part will be covered most of the time, as long as it's sudden and accidental by your insurance. And then the mold part will be covered by whatever the limit for that mold is. But you could see that that mold was caused by something that was sudden and accidental.
Now, let's say you have a waterproofing issue in your home and it's been leaking for years, months. That is a maintenance issue. And now because you didn't take care of it, now you have mold. Normally, that type of a mold damage will not be covered by your insurance.
One more example that we want to mention is if you had a sudden and accidental water damage, but you did not take care of the water damage fast enough, we know mold can multiply within 24 to 48 hours, then that can be denied because it's due to the negligence of the homeowner, not taking care of the issue right away. And now we have secondary damages that are going to cost a lot more money to repair.
Whether insurance covers mold-related work depends on the policy, the cause of the moisture, the timing and the documentation. Cleveland Water and Fire Restoration, Inc. does not decide coverage or claim outcomes. Your insurance company and adjuster make those decisions.
If water is present now, focus first on safety, stopping the source when possible and limiting additional damage. See emergency water damage cleanup and restoration and mold inspection and removal.
What determines a mold claim
The same type of visible mold can be treated differently under two policies or after two different water events. Your insurer may review:
- The source and date of the water
- The policy language and any endorsements or limits
- Maintenance records and earlier signs of moisture
- Photographs, moisture readings and the restoration scope
- Steps taken to limit additional damage
Ask your agent or insurer to explain the exact policy language that applies to your property. Do not rely on a contractor to predict a coverage decision.
What to document
Before damaged materials are removed, take photographs and video when it is safe to do so. Write down when you discovered the water, what you observed and any steps taken to stop the source. Keep receipts, estimates, reports and claim correspondence together.
A restoration team can provide moisture readings, photographs and a written scope of the affected materials. That documentation describes the loss and completed work, but it does not guarantee coverage.
Addressing the building
Mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours when materials remain wet. Prompt extraction, dehumidification and structural drying can limit additional material damage. When visible growth or a musty odor is already present, an inspection can identify the moisture source and the areas that may require remediation.
Cleveland Water and Fire Restoration, Inc. coordinates water mitigation with its mold division, Mold and Air Duct Pros. If you file a claim, we document the loss and work directly with your adjuster.
Bottom line
Review your policy, report the loss according to your insurer’s instructions and keep a clear record. Your insurer determines coverage. Our role is to assess the property, explain the restoration work and document what we find.
This article provides general information, not legal or insurance advice. Coverage varies by policy and carrier. Ask your insurance professional about your specific policy.
