Homeowners’ Insurance and Mold Damage

Will Mold Damage Within My Home Be Covered Under Homeowners’ Insurance?

Mold can damage your home, making it impossible to sell and potentially even harming your health. Mold is related to moisture, making Florida a particularly troublesome state for mold due to its high humidity levels. If you have discovered mold in your home, your first concern will likely be whether repair of the mold damage is covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy. Our Tampa, Florida mold related property damage attorneys at Pekar Law P.A. discuss coverage for mold issues in the state below.

Homeowners’ Insurance and Mold Damage

Whether mold damage will be covered under your homeowners’ insurance policy depends on your unique policy and the cause of the mold. Mold is often related to water damage, which may be excluded under your insurance policy. A typical Florida homeowners’ policy does not cover water damage caused by maintenance problems. Maintenance issues could include continuous water leaks, drainage issues, humidity problems, and more. If the mold in your home developed due to a leak or issue that you failed to timely repair, you could struggle to obtain coverage.

Additionally, mold damage caused by a flood will usually not be covered under your homeowners’ insurance policy. Flood damage is often excluded in Florida policies, and in turn the mold that develops afterwards may not be covered. If you have flood insurance, this could be a potential avenue for coverage of your mold related issues.

In contrast, most homeowners’ insurance policies will cover any sudden and accidental water problems stemming from within the home. This could include broken pipes or appliance leaks. When mold develops due to these suddens water problems, you will likely be able to obtain homeowners’ insurance coverage.

Mold damage can be costly to repair and insurance companies in Florida have started to insert restrictions and limitations to mold coverage within standard policies. Homeowners who have uncovered mold within their home should contact a homeowners’ insurance attorney for assistance with their claim. Mold related claims must be handled with care and prompt action can lessen your chances of a claim denial.