Will home insurance pay for mold removal?
Short answer. Home insurance pays for mold removal when the mold resulted from a covered water loss, and usually only up to a separate mold limit. It does not pay to remove mold caused by humidity, condensation or a long running leak. Either way, the water source has to be fixed first or the mold comes back.
What professional removal involves
- Assessment. Finding the moisture source and the extent of growth, sometimes with air or surface sampling.
- Containment. Plastic barriers and negative air pressure so spores are not spread through the house.
- Removal. Cutting out moldy drywall and insulation, and cleaning or treating framing and decking that can stay.
- Cleanup. HEPA vacuuming and cleaning of the work area.
- Verification. Visual inspection and, in some jobs, clearance testing.
How insurance applies
If the mold followed a covered event, such as a storm opening in the roof, the removal and rebuild are part of that claim, subject to your deductible and any mold sublimit. If the limit is low, ask the adjuster whether drying and tear out of wet materials are being charged to water damage coverage instead, since that can leave more of the mold limit for actual remediation.
Insurers usually will not pay to remove mold caused by:
- Attic condensation from poor ventilation
- Crawlspace humidity
- A roof leak that went on for weeks or months
Fix the source first
Remediation is wasted money if the roof keeps leaking. Get the roof repaired or tarped, then remove the mold, then rebuild. Keep every report and invoice in one place for the adjuster. See emergency tarping and interior water damage coverage.