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What About Mold Damage?

Is Mold Damage Covered by Your Homeowner’s Insurance?

Short answer: Possibly.

The rest of the story is that, typically, home insurance policies cover mold damage that is directly related to a “covered peril.” Assuming your home is well maintained, covered perils include these types of scenarios:

  • Mold that resulted from burst waterpipes before you discover the damage.
  • Mold caused from a flood – IF you have Flood Insurance.
  • Mold from accidental discharge of moisture from plumbing, heating, air conditioners, sprinkler systems, or household appliances.
Why Are We More Vulnerable?

Florida’s warm, wet climate is the perfect host for mold and mold-related illnesses that are prevalent in high humidity states. The Florida Department of Health provides a comprehensive report on the health hazards of mold and detailed information on combating it when you find it in your home.

To summarize, mold is a fungus that needs water to grow. The spores travel through the air and attach to surfaces such as wood, sheetrock, insulation, and mattresses. Conditions that provide breeding grounds for mold are leaky pipes, interior flooding, and unventilated rooms that are commonly warm and moist including bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens.

Breaking the Mold

These are a few steps you can take to keep you home dry:

  • Be proactive in preventing or stopping leaks that can be found in appliance hoses, under sinks, or in attics under a leaking roof.
  • Replace dishwasher and refrigerator hoses every five years
  • Control indoor humidity with air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
  • Replace filters regularly to prevent condensation
  • Regularly clean, ventilate, and dehumidify rooms prone to higher humidity

To learn more about adding mold coverage to your homeowner’s insurance policy, give us a call at Pallant / NSi Insurance Group.