Identifying mold in your home is easy, as it’s usually visible and typically accompanied by telltale signs like odor and health issues. If mold has developed in your home from neglect, the damage won’t be covered by homeowners insurance. However, mold damage is covered by home insurance if it results from an event covered in your policy, such as an extinguished fire or an appliance malfunction. In this article, we’ll give you tips to help prevent mold in your home and give a better idea of when mold damage is covered by homeowners insurance.
When doesn’t homeowners insurance cover mold damage?
Mold is a hassle to remove and can get costly fast. Home insurance will not cover mold damage that results from neglect or improper upkeep, like a window that lets in water or a leaky pipe under the sink.
Your policy will also not cover mold caused by events like flooding, clogged sewer lines or poor ventilation in a humid room. However, there are supplemental policies you can purchase that will cover mold damage in non-neglect cases. Flood insurance, water backup coverage (like a sewer backup or sump pump failure) or hidden water damage (when you cannot see the leak because it’s behind the wall, floor, or ceiling) coverage can all help with mold damage caused by covered incidents.
Tips to Prevent Mold Damage
There are many ways to prevent mold damage in your house. Here are a few handy steps to keep mold from setting up residence in your space.
- Use exhaust fans. Bathrooms and kitchens should have exhaust fans to help reduce risk of mold. Fans should be used when cleaning, cooking and showering.
- Check for leaks. Check plumbing, appliances, roofs and doors for leaks regularly and fix them promptly.
- Keep gutters clear. Keep gutters clean to avoid standing water in gutters, and make sure all downspouts drain away from your house.
- Insulate pipes. Avoid condensation by insulating pipes.
- Avoid carpet in humid areas. Carpet and moisture don’t mix, so try to avoid putting carpet in areas likely to get wet, like basements and bathrooms.
- Use a dehumidifier. Run a dehumidifier or air conditioner to dry the air in notably humid parts of your house, like the basement or bathroom.
- Watch for water. Watch for signs of water, like condensation or puddles, and have them looked at as soon as possible.
Interested in supplemental coverage for mold damage? Let SelectQuote find you the right policy for your needs.
Worrying about mold damage is a stressful experience, but at SelectQuote, we can offer peace of mind with supplemental home insurance coverage. Our experienced licensed insurance agents search multiple trusted carriers quickly to compare quotes on your behalf, saving you time and money. We’ll make sure your policy matches with your needs and budget so the things that matter most to you stay protected. Get started with your free quote today.
