A standard home insurance policy should cover a mold claim if the growth is due to a covered hazard of a sudden or accidental nature, and the mold is hidden within walls or ceilings, under floors, or above the roofs of a structure. Mold coverage is one of the most complex categories of your home insurance policy, for several reasons. If you think there is mold in your home, here are some tips for successfully processing your claim. In general, the time it takes to remove mold from your home will largely depend on the extent of the mold outbreak and its cause.
While your policy may cover mold damage caused by a broken appliance, it's probably not worth replacing the device; most insurers only cover the resulting water and mold damage, not the cause of the damage. FEMA recommends hiring a mold remediation specialist who is affiliated or certified by the National Environmental Health Association, the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification Institute, or the American Accredited Certification Council. Your home insurance policy will cover mold on a case-by-case basis, meaning that not all situations will be covered. What you pay to remove mold in your home will likely vary depending on where you live, the size of your home, the type of mold, the extent of the problem, the prevalence of the problem, and other factors, such as the average price of labor in your area.
Generally, a homeowners policy pays for mold damage only if it's caused by a covered problem, such as a broken pipe. Mold can also cause serious problems in your home and even more serious health problems for you and your family. For example, if your washing machine suddenly leaks and black mold forms on the floor, a housing policy will likely pay to remove mold. Homeowners who live in areas at high risk of flooding or areas prone to natural disasters, such as storm surges or hurricanes, should invest in flood insurance right away, since homeowners insurance usually doesn't cover mold caused by floods or storm surges.
Claims paid for mold on a property could exceed the homeowner's insurance limit due to multiple claims. You don't want to do major repairs before you file your claim, but once you've documented the damage, make temporary repairs to protect your home from further damage. You can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, but unfortunately it doesn't cover mold damage either. However, if mold is allowed to spread, it could cause a more widespread problem, which may require several hours or days of professional mold removal to eliminate the problem in your home.
