Your homeowner’s insurance is designed to protect you from having to pay out of pocket for sudden disasters that occur in your home in Jacksonville, NC. The busted pipe and subsequent water damage from a few weeks ago may have been resolved, but the positive mold test and odor indicate that you haven’t reached the end of that story yet. Does your policy cover the cleanup?
Residential Mold Coverage
Typical Coverage
Most basic policies only cover the services of mold mitigation experts if the growth was the direct result of a covered peril. There are many examples of circumstances in which this can occur:
- Supply line rupture behind refrigerator that causes mold damage to the wall behind it.
- Sink that leaks into the cabinet below where mold can thrive.
- Roof leak that causes growth before it can be fixed.
Some policies even have clauses that detail partial mold coverage. For example, your policy may only pay for the cleanup services but not for the mold test or restoration. The policy you have chosen may cover mold but only up to a certain dollar amount. If you discover a mold problem in your home, your agent can clarify exactly what your policy covers.
Additional Coverage
It is important to some homeowners to purchase additional mold insurance, especially if you live in a very humid area where mold issues are more prevalent. If you own an older home, it may have been built with materials that are naturally more prone to fungus growth. In this case, extra coverage or a mold endorsement may be worth considering. It may cost you several hundred dollars more a year for additional coverage, but if you end up needing to file a claim, it can save you a lot of money, too.
If a mold test reveals that you need remediation, your insurance policy may not cover the whole cost. It is important to know if your current policy covers the repairs you need.