Will homeowners insurance pay for mold?
Short answer. Homeowners insurance pays for mold only when it results from a covered water loss, such as rain coming through a storm-damaged roof, and usually only up to a mold sublimit. It does not pay for mold caused by humidity, poor attic ventilation, long-term leaks or neglect, which describes most mold found on roofs and in attics.
Three ways roof-related mold shows up
- Ceiling mold after a storm leak. Hail or wind opens the roof, rain soaks the drywall, and mold appears within days. If the leak was reported and dried promptly, this is the most likely kind to be covered, up to the mold limit.
- Attic mold on the underside of the decking. Usually spread across whole sections of sheathing, not centered on a leak. This typically comes from condensation, blocked soffit vents or bath fans venting into the attic, and it is excluded.
- Moldy or rotten decking found at tear off. Crews often find soft, stained boards once the old shingles come off.
Decking found during a replacement
On an insurance-funded roof replacement, decking damaged by the covered leak can be added to the claim through a supplement, backed by photos taken before the new decking goes on. Decking that rotted from years of slow leaks or poor ventilation is usually the homeowner's cost. Many roofing contracts set a per sheet price for replacement decking so there are no surprises. Ask about it before work starts.
The sublimit
Most policies cap mold, often listed under wording like fungi, wet or dry rot, or bacteria, at an amount well below the dwelling limit. Some insurers sell an endorsement that raises it.
Keeping a mold claim alive
- Report the leak quickly.
- Photograph before cleanup.
- Dry wet materials within a day or two.
- Get the cause of the leak documented.
More: interior water damage from roof leaks and how roof supplements work.