You know that your home insurance is there to help you recoup your costs and repair damages to your home after an unexpected situation. But does homeowners insurance cover mold? This pesky fungus can cause serious damage to your property, and getting it fully removed can cost a pretty penny. However, whether your policy includes mold issues isn’t cut and dry. To keep your house in good shape, it’s important to understand when your policy can help you with mold and how to prevent spores from spreading in the first place.
Uncovering the Mystery of Mold in Your Home
There isn’t just one type of fungus that can cause issues in your home, so molds can come in many shapes and sizes. Some kinds are mainly harmless, while others can seriously impact the structure of your house and even your health. It’s best to be proactive and make sure you recognize potential issues before they occur.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a collection of fungal spores that can grow and spread. It feeds on oxygen, moisture, and almost any kind of organic material. Unfortunately, that includes many homebuilding materials, including drywall, wood, wallpaper, and even paint. Dark, moist areas are at the highest risk for cultivating spores and allowing these growths to spread.
Possible Signs of Mold Invasion
Removing any fungal growths at the first sign of an issue is important, so familiarize yourself with common symptoms:
- Discolored spots: Molds can come in a rainbow of colors, but it’s often black, gray, white, or spotted. You may notice powdery spots on the surfaces of your home or discolored areas that are hiding a deeper problem under the surface.
- A musty smell: If you notice a damp, earthy, decaying smell, you could have spores spreading in your home.
- Condensation and water damage: Fungi thrive in wet environments, so water-damaged areas are breeding grounds for molding construction materials.
- Respiratory issues: Some molds will cause allergies and respiratory problems. If you notice you’re sneezing, coughing, or experiencing irritation, you may want to have your house tested for spores.
Once you notice these issues, it’s time to act. But does home insurance cover mold, or will you have to pay out of pocket?
The Intersection of Mold and Home Insurance
Will insurance cover mold remediation? Whether your policy will pay for repairs depends on a few key details. The following is a breakdown of what to know.
When Homeowners Insurance Comes to the Rescue
What does homeowners insurance cover when it comes to mold? Typically, your policy will only cover remediation if it’s the direct result of another covered issue. For example, if your walls quickly begin molding after a ruptured pipe or damage from a storm, your policy would likely cover the claim. However, it’s important to note that many policies have a limit for home insurance mold removal and repair expenses. So even if your house starts molding due to a covered reason, you might have some out-of-pocket costs.
The Exclusions: What Isn’t Covered
Your insurance won’t pay for remediation if the spores are caused by general neglect. For example, if you have a slow leak that you don’t get fixed, things can start molding over time. If you only decide to make repairs once the damage gets bad, you won’t have the grounds to make a claim.
Additionally, if molding begins due to a non-covered reason, you won’t be able to get reimbursed for repairs — even if you weren’t negligent. Sewer backup and flooding, for example, are common insurance exclusions, which means any resulting spore damage would also be excluded. However, many insurers will give you the option to get extra coverage and endorsements for common exclusions, giving you maximum protection.
Assessing Your Coverage Options
Before you sign off on your home insurance, you’ll want to ensure your policy will safeguard you from any major damage caused by those tiny spores. Thoroughly reviewing your existing policy and exploring special add-ons will help set you up for success.
Standard Policies vs. Additional Coverage
Although policies can vary by carrier, there are certain things that most standard policies will cover, such as damages stemming from fire, storms, and vandalism. When it comes to mold, you’ll probably want to focus on things related to water and moisture, such as storms and floods.
While standard plans will often cover regular storms, they may not protect you from fungal problems that develop after a flood. Therefore, you may need flood insurance if you want your plan to pay for mold repairs after your house floods. Getting extra policy add-ons will give you an additional safety net for these issues.
Ensuring Adequate Protection
If you’re looking for insurance as a first-time home buyer, you may be tempted to stick with a standard plan. However, you can give yourself even more protection by purchasing an additional mold coverage rider on top of your existing policy.
Extra mold damage insurance can increase your insurer’s remediation limit, so you won’t have to worry about an expensive removal exceeding your policy’s limits. It can also give you special protection for common exclusions and even cover removal for hidden leaks you didn’t know were causing a problem.
Prevention: The Best Policy Against Mold
Even if your policy does end up covering your mold-related issues, it’s better to avoid them entirely. Now, a bit of mildew is normal in any home, but it’s important to clean it up as soon as possible. Regular spring cleaning can prevent homeowners policy claims related to molding in your house, especially if you’re able to eliminate spores before they start expanding and causing a real problem.
Here are a few tips for preventing fungal growth in your home that might eventually lead to a claim:
- Keep an eye on damp areas: Pay special attention to areas with extensive plumbing, like bathrooms and kitchens, as they may be more prone to damp conditions.
- Wipe down surfaces regularly: Make sure potential spores don’t have the chance to take hold by cleaning exposed surfaces frequently.
- Maintain ventilation: Keep the humidity low and prevent condensation by ensuring proper ventilation throughout your house.
- Address issues quickly: Even if it’s minor, fix water damage right away before it causes your home to start molding.
Just in Case Mold Moves In, Freeway Has Your Back
Dealing with mold can be complicated, and insurance can make it even more challenging. Fungal spores can pop up in many situations, but your plan will only pay out for certain covered reasons. By getting extra policy add-ons and taking a few simple steps to maintain your home, you can successfully keep mildew at bay.
At Freeway Insurance, we understand that spotting spores in your home can be stressful. With the right plan in place, however, you can sit back and relax. Safeguard your home from a spore invasion by talking to a representative at a Freeway Insurance office, generating a quote online, or calling 800-777-5620 to set up your plan.
