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Rafael Said:

Should homeowners insurance cover mold in basement - covered previous claim due to basement flooding?

We Answered:

The only time water ingress from the outside (non-flood) is covered is if something that is covered by the policy makes a hole in the building exterior first. So water entering because of cracks in the foundation or the water erode the mortar in a brick/concrete block foundation is not covered. Water that enters the home during a rainstorm after someone runs their vehicle into your home would be covered, because vehicle impact (other than your own) is covered.
Damage caused by mold, rust, corrosion, wet or dry rot, and condensation are always excluded under any property policy. Losses insured under a property policy need to be sudden and accidental. The perils I just listed all occur over a period of time. That and the perils I listed are maintenance issues.

Alma Said:

Homeowners insurance agents please help! Mold on water damage questions.?

We Answered:

If the reason the wood is being pulled up, is due to MOLD, then no, it's not going to be covered. If it's ROTTED, or wood damage, then it is.

Keep in mind, just because there's mold, doesn't mean it's that scarey stuff you hear about - THAT mold is extremely uncommon. You CAN dry the wood out, bleach it, and voila! mold is gone, until/unless you have another water issue. Mold is normal, mold is everywhere.

The REASON mold remediation is excluded from policies, is because in many cases, it's not necessary; pretty much EVERY house has it, if you start tearing the house apart; three years after you fix it, it's going to have mold AGAIN; and it's extremely expensive to keep gutting your house every three years.

So. Spray some bleach on it, wait a few days for the wood to dry out, and see if the WOOD is warped or damaged, and needs to be replaced. Mold itself - not a good enough reason.

Robert Said:

Our home is gutted due to mold. Our insurance only covers $5000 for remediation. Can we file for loss of use?

We Answered:

It really depends on what your policy specifies. My loss of use portion of the policy will cover hotel bills/rental unit and living expenses while I am not able to live in my home due to a covered event. My loss of use has a coverage limit, so I would be paid up to that limit. It does not cover packing, moving or storage. I have a code upgrade coverage but it has limits, too. In your case, I suggest you read your policy and call either your agent or broker to clarify what coverages you have or don't have before you file for it. Best wishes and good luck.

Bryan Said:

I found black mold in the laundry room, under the tile. What is the first step?

We Answered:

The first step is to get all clothing away from that area (it will end up smelling like mould if you don't), and keep any infants away (they are not as impervious as adults to foreign organisms).

Jordan Said:

Does homeowners insurance typically cover insect damage?

We Answered:

Sorry, not covered.

Jackie Said:

Would homeowners insurance cover this?

We Answered:

Insurance might cover it, but since it was caused by negligence the insurance company might file a lawsuit against the negligent person to try to get their money back. So before you file any claims, be aware of whether or not they will sue the father in law after paying the claim. They would need evidence, but your brother's statement about what happened might be enough.

Also, be aware that filling a claim of any kind on homeowners insurance usually results in increased rates. You can sometimes get around this by shopping for a new insurance company, but not always. Homeowners insurance is intended to protect you against major catastrophes like a fire, not against minor things like rain damage caused by negligence.

Don't worry about the mold. Mold is rarely harmful and can be cleaned up easily. It won't spread throughout the house, it will only affect the areas that got wet and it will stop growing when the moisture problem is fixed. So get the roof on, then replace any insulation or Sheetrock that is wet and cannot be dried out, and the mold will become a non-issue.