Mold damage is not usually covered by home insurance if it is due to negligence, such as a pipe that has been leaking for months and causing water damage and, consequently, mold. To quickly determine if an area contains mold, ask yourself if it makes sense for mold to grow in that area. However, you can distinguish between a common illness and exposure to mold if you can determine if your symptoms worsen at night and on weekends, when you spend more time at home. For example, if a storm breaks a window in your house and causes rainwater to soak up the floors and walls and a mold outbreak occurs, your policy may pay to repair the damage because the storm was a certain hazard.
In these situations, you must show that the mold was due to the hazard covered and not to a new leak or lack of maintenance. To increase your chances of succeeding in a claim, you should take all possible steps to prevent mold from forming. Since your home insurance policy may only offer limited coverage related to mold, there are a few things you should consider to avoid the enormous cost of trying to get rid of mold. If you tried to file a claim for the leak and the resulting mold weeks or even days after the leak was discovered, your insurance company will likely claim that you didn't act immediately and therefore deny you coverage.
However, some forms of mold are considered dangerous, such as black mold, which can produce chemicals that cause serious diseases. Some policies may have exceptions to the exclusions and will provide minimal coverage for mold contamination. Homeowners insurance doesn't usually cover damage or the removal of mold, unless it's the result of a covered hazard. For example, if damage caused by a storm soaks through the drywall in your bedroom and mold forms, the contractor will likely charge you a fee to remove the mold.Dry mold can grow on bedding and pillows and form around dressers, shelves, and vents and heating grilles.
Another way to detect mold is to consider if you or your family have been experiencing the physical symptoms of mold exposure. Mold claims paid for a property could exceed the homeowner's insurance limit due to several claims. To avoid this situation, it is important to take preventive measures against mold growth in your home. Make sure that all areas prone to moisture are properly ventilated and that any leaks are fixed as soon as possible. Additionally, inspect your home regularly for any signs of water damage or moisture buildup that could lead to mold growth.
