Does homeowners insurance cover mold?

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Home insurance will cover mold removal if it was caused by a covered peril. Covered perils usually include sudden and accidental water damage. But mold that grows over time or due to neglect is not a covered peril.

If a claims adjuster determines that the mold is there because of negligence, you will have to pay for any repairs and cleanup yourself. If a bad storm causes the mold, it’ll most likely be covered. Still, check your policy, because every policy will be a little different.

Many home insurance policies also have special limits on mold removal, but you may be able to add a mold endorsement to your policy. Some exclude mold entirely. Be sure to find out what’s included and what’s not.

Key Takeaways

Some home insurance policies cover mold that is caused by a covered peril.
Insurance policies will not cover mold that is the result of a maintenance issue, or that grew over time due to humidity.
If you find mold in your home, the best thing to do is to call a company that specializes in removing mold.

When does home insurance cover mold?

Home insurance covers mold in specific circumstances and up to the limits of the policy. Some policies may exclude mold coverage entirely, for any reason.

As a rule of thumb, mold cleanups tend to be covered by homeowners insurance if mold happens because something went wrong, such as pipes that burst. If you haven’t been taking care of your home, however, you will not be covered.

Matthew Blumkin, CEO and managing principal of The Greenspan Co./Adjusters International, a public adjuster agency in Encino, California suggests sitting down with your agent or broker to understand the coverage limits for mold remediation. Generally, policies offer no coverage for mold due to maintenance issues. For example, don’t expect insurance to help if you had a pipe that leaked for a while and caused mold, or if you have mold due to a humid climate.

Is mold insurance worth it?

Yes. Mold is very dangerous and it is important to have safeguards in place against it. But, your homeowners’ insurance may cover mold remediation, and you should check your homeowners insurance policy before buying a separate policy.

“It can get expensive to repair mold, so the more help homeowners can get in covering those costs [through insurance], the better,” says Blumkin.

If you have mold coverage in your home insurance policy, Blumkin advises you to make sure that only the additional cost for mold remediation above what would normally be charged if mold were not present is applied toward your policy’s mold limitations, rather than the full repair cost.

For example, if restoration crews are cutting out wet or burnt drywall, only the additional cost for handling moldy drywall rather than regular damaged drywall should be placed into the mold remediation category.

How to prevent mold

Keep your rooms cool, dry, and clean. Problems usually occur when rooms are damp or there’s little airflow. Furniture in a basement or attic is also at a high risk of getting moldy due to lack of use. Continuous upkeep is the best way to protect against mold.

A dehumidifier can help prevent moisture in the air from helping mold to grow.

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What do you do if you have mold in your house

Clean up the mold as soon as you can.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “mold can be removed from hard surfaces with household products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water.”

Deal with signs of mold right away.

Blumkin says that when water or moisture damage is not cleaned up quickly, such as after wildfires and other natural disasters, the situation gets even worse.

“We find that time is the biggest problem resulting in a mold claim. The longer it sits, the more it grows. The more it grows, the harder it is to deal with,” he says.

When to call a mold remediation service

Call a professional service if the mold has grown beyond a small area or is in areas that are hard to reach. If you can’t be sure that the mold doesn’t extend into unseen areas like behind walls or under flooring, you need to call a mold remediation service.

If mold occurs in your home due to an accident or sudden water damage, it’ll likely be covered by homeowners insurance. But because mold isn’t covered by gradual damage, you should regularly maintain your home and keep it dry and clean. Mold in a home can be a dangerous health hazard and expensive to repair.

Frequently asked questions about mold

What are the signs of mold in your house?

Mold can be found anywhere – on and under carpets, in crawl spaces, on your walls, on your shower curtain. Generally, it’s going to be greenish to very black spots that you’ll be looking for, though mold can also be white, orange and purple. If you see a part of your house that looks like it has a rash, that’s probably mold. If you’re in a room where it’s often damp, that’s another telling sign that you may have mold lurking about.

How do you know if mold is behind drywall?

If mold is behind drywall, there are usually some pretty clear signs. For instance, does your wall smell odd? Do you seem like you’re allergic to your own house? That is, you have red eyes, and you’re sneezing inside a particular room or your home – but you feel better when you leave? Does the wall feel wet or have a stain that looks like mold? These are signs there is mold behind the drywall.

How do you tell the difference between black mold and regular mold?

Black mold tends to be slimy or wet. If it’s in its early stages, it may feel like powder. Side note: Wear gloves before touching any mold.

You don’t want black mold, which spreads fast and can be toxic, and you should wear a mask while around it. If you’re not sure, call in an expert.

Read more: How to make mold insurance claims

Geoff Williams

Contributing Researcher

Geoff Williams is a freelance journalist and author in Loveland, Ohio. He has been writing about insurance and personal finance since the mid-2000s. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including Life magazine, Ladies’ Home Journal, The Washington Post, CNNMoney, Entrepreneur, Forbes.com and U.S. News & World Report.