Most property owners have had to file a claim against their homeowner’s insurance at some point in their lives. Perhaps your roof was damaged in a hurricane, or you experienced a fire in your kitchen. For the most part, these things are covered. Unless the insurance company feels you didn’t mitigate the damage, they should pay your claim.
When it comes to mold damage, on the other hand, most insurance companies will not pay your claim. It’s nothing personal. It is just that insurance companies rarely cover this sort of problem. Now, if your Ft. Lauderdale property damage lawyer can prove that the damage was caused by a covered event, you may be in luck.
Most homeowner’s insurance companies allow you to purchase a rider or add-on specifically for mold. Or you may be able to convince the company to pay your homeowner’s claim. It all comes down to the language in your policy and the facts surrounding your claim.
Here, we will discuss how mold is treated by your homeowner’s insurance carrier. We will also explain when mold remediation may be covered. If you still have questions about your own situation, contact our office directly. You can schedule a time to come into the office and meet with one of our Ft. Lauderdale property damage lawyers.
Most Homeowner’s Insurance Policies Do Not Cover Mold Damage
For the most part, if you didn’t purchase a special rider, your homeowner’s policy will not cover mold damage. Mold is not only something that can cause damage to your property. It can also make you and your family very sick. This is especially true if you have black mold growing in your home.
We suggest you reach out to one of our Ft. Lauderdale property damage lawyers as soon as you notice you have a mold issue. This way, we can help you file your initial homeowner’s claim.
Your attorney can also review your policy in detail. They’ll pay particular attention to the fine print. This is where the insurance carrier typically hides the parts of your policy they don’t want you to notice. This is likely where you’ll find language stating that your policy does not cover mold damage.
It May Be Covered if the Event Causing the Mold is Covered by Your Policy
One exception to the general rule about mold not being covered is if the event that caused the mold is listed in your policy. Homeowners’ policies fall into one of two categories. Some specifically list the types of events that are covered by your policy. They will also list the types of damage your policy covers. The other type of policy will list what events the policy does not cover. Similarly, it will also list the types of damage that are left uncovered by the policy.
If you would like know more information about if you can challenge your home insurance settlement, view this page.
What this means is that, if your mold problem was caused by an event covered by your policy, your homeowner’s insurance claim may be paid. For example, if the mold was caused by a hailstorm that broke your windows, the costs of mold remediation may be covered. The same is true if the mold was caused by a broken pipe.
At the same time, if your mold was caused by flooding, it will not be covered. This is because most homeowners’ policies don’t cover damage caused by floods. The same is true for earthquakes and sinkholes. Your Ft. Lauderdale property damage lawyer must first identify the cause of your mold problem. Then they can let you know if it will be covered by your insurance policy.
There Are Certain Things You Must Do Before You File Your Homeowners Insurance Claim
If you want to have a chance of your mold remediation being covered, there are certain steps you need to take. These steps are a bit more specific than those steps necessary with other homeowners’ claims. The steps you must follow when dealing with a mold problem include the following:
- Dry the affected areas immediately so as to prevent further mold growth.
- Clean affected areas with detergent and dry them completely.
- Remove any items that are wet such as furniture, clothing, etc.
- Open all windows and doors to air out the house.
- Cover areas heavily affected by mold, so the spores are less likely to become airborne.
Once you’ve followed these steps, reach out to your Ft. Lauderdale property damage lawyer. They will then be able to help you file your homeowner’s claim.
If Your Homeowners Insurance Claim Is Rejected, Contact a Ft. Lauderdale Property Damage Lawyer
If you’ve paid your insurance premiums, there’s no reason why your homeowner’s claim should be denied. Of course, it depends on what your claim is for. If it’s for mold, you may have a hard time getting the insurance carrier to pay your claim.
Unless you have a rider for mold damage, there’s a good chance the insurance company will reject your claim. Your Ft. Lauderdale property damage lawyer will have to show that the event that called the mold is covered by your policy.
As explained here, there are all sorts of causes for mold. If the insurance adjuster can demonstrate that the mold was caused by your own negligence, your claim will not be paid. There is no doubt about that. However, if your Ft. Lauderdale property damage lawyer can show that the mold was caused by a storm, plumbing problem, or another covered event, you stand a chance of being paid.
We offer new clients a free, initial consultation. You should contact our office and take full advantage of the free meeting. Sit down with a seasoned Ft. Lauderdale property damage lawyer. They can review your homeowner’s claim and find out why it was denied. Or, if you haven’t filed your claim yet, they can review your policy and see if mold remediation is covered.
The insurance companies are not in the business of paying claims. If they can find a reason to deny your homeowner’s claim, they will. This is why you need to have a legal professional by your side. They can help you fight back against the insurance carrier.
