Will Flood Insurance Cover a Mold Infestation?

Mold isn't just a nuisance for a property. It can also be exceptionally dangerous to the people in the home. While some varieties are harmless, the worst of the worst can be deadly. Flood insurance is available to property owners to stave off the damage from unexpected water, which makes it natural to ask whether such insurance will cover mold. Here’s more about how your flood insurance policy works and what you can do to minimize water damage repair.

Individual Evaluations

The short answer is that yes, flood insurance can cover mold infestation. However, the homeowner is required to prove that the mold stemmed from a covered reason. In other words, if a sink pipe bursts from old age and you blame the resulting mold on a recent storm, this claim will be denied.

When it comes down to it, all insurance claims are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. However, this statement is particularly true for mold cases. Because mold can hide deep in the walls of a property, it's not always easy to determine the source of it. It's possible for an insurance policy to examine all the evidence of a claim and still come to the wrong conclusion.

Taking Action

Homeowners are also required to take action and eliminate as much of the mold formation as possible (preferably the moment they become aware of it). So, if a resident notices a small colony of mold in the corner of the basement, they're expected to take reasonable mitigation steps. This may include drying the basement out to ensure that no future mold forms or it may mean administering some sort of common mold killer to the area. This may not kill the mold entirely, but it can prevent it from spreading. Any expenses used for this are typically covered under a flood insurance policy, as are additional professional repairs needed after that.

Mold can be notoriously difficult to get rid of, and it's not always safe for homeowners to attempt DIY removal. A professional will be able to not only test the type of mold you have, they can also test the home and grounds to ensure it's not hiding anywhere else on the property. Flood insurance can be the key to taking care of mold as soon as possible. It can both preserve the home's value and protect the people who live in it.