Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold Remediation?
Whether your homeowners insurance covers mold remediation in your home depends on the scenario from which the mold arose. For example, if the mold in your home was caused by poor ventilation or a leaking faucet that you neglected to fix, insurance policies would likely not cover remediating the issue. However, certain scenarios are almost guaranteed to be covered by your insurance policy. Any incident that is viewed as ‘accidental’ in nature and results in mold growth (such as a broken water line or washer) will be covered by your insurance. As long as the issue was not foreseeably imminent and unable to be easily repaired by the homeowner, any mold caused by a perilous event should be covered by your policy.
Why is Mold Remediation not often Covered by Insurance?
Oftentimes, the reason that mold remediation is not covered by homeowners insurance is simply because the incident could have been prevented by regular care and scheduled maintenance. Many mold issues in the home are the result of simple, preventable conditions. For example, poor ventilation in the home often leads to a buildup of moisture in areas prone to mold growth. In the example used above, leaky faucets or similar problems could also lead to mold growth, but were foreseeably preventable by the homeowner. Any scenario where the homeowner’s lack of action leads to mold growth would not be covered by your insurance policy, as only unforeseeable accidents are generally covered by homeowner’s insurance.
Can Mold Create Permanent Damage to your Home?
Mold can definitely cause permanent damage to your home. When treated properly, the spread of mold spores is lessened and mold is not given the opportunity to spread across your home. However, homes with untreated mold often see permanent damage to the structure. When mold spores spread, they latch on to whatever surface they can, especially when the moisture and temperature conditions are just right. When these spores go untreated and are allowed to spread, certain materials (like wood) provide an abundant spawning ground for further mold spores. These spores will continue to spread and damage the surfaces they grow on, reducing the structural integrity of the building as they grow. If these are not treated, the damage caused could permanently damage the integrity of the building, resulting in permanent damage and the need to replace various materials lest the building fall apart. Check your homeowners insurance policy to see if you have coverage for mold remediation to repair the damage.
How Do You File a Homeowners Insurance Claim for Mold Damage?
If you want to file a homeowners insurance claim for mold remediation, there are several factors to consider. The first step would be to review your policy to ensure that you are able to have coverage for mold damage. Second, you should make sure that you do not accrue any additional damage by putting preventative measures in place (for example, cover any leaks in your roof to prevent additional damage). The final steps are to make sure you have proper supporting materials and documentation for your claim, as insurance companies may be quick to reject your claim. Be ready to defend your position and advocate for why insurance should cover your claim, as they may try to find a reason to reject it. At that point, you should call your insurance adjuster to make a claim, providing them with all the documentation to defend your case.
What Does Professional Mold Remediation Include?
There are several services a mold remediation expert will provide when visiting your home. Depending on the amount of mold damage, this process can take several days to several weeks to complete. Generally, the first step of the mold remediation process includes the removal of water-damaged and/or mold-infested building materials present in the home, as this will prevent the spread of further mold spores. After this, mold remediation professionals will generally check your drywall and studs to make sure they also are not carrying mold spores, and if so will remove them as well. After this, they will clean and disinfect all walls, surfaces, floors, and personal items that may have been exposed to mold in the home. Finally, a high-filtration vacuum (HEPA) will be used to clean the air of any additional mold spores that may be lingering.
Call MSR Restoration for Mold Remediation Solutions!
Regardless of the type of mold damage you are experiencing, or whether or not you have homeowners insurance coverage, MSR Restoration is here to provide mold remediation services to your home back to clean, liveable conditions. With a team of highly-trained professional mold experts, we are capable of handling even the toughest mold conditions. Call MSR Restoration today for a quote on removing problematic mold from your home.
