Does Renters Insurance Cover Mold Damage?

Mold is a common issue for houses in the South—truly, it can happen to anyone, even the most responsible owners and renters.

However, not every case of mold is covered by insurance. In fact, the unfortunate reality is that most cases of mold aren’t, especially for renters. Your renters insurance company will likely do anything they can to avoid paying your mold damage claim.

That doesn’t mean you have to face them alone. Mold damage claim attorneys, like those at Insurance Claim HQ, are experienced in analyzing insurance policies, gathering evidence, and communicating with your insurance company on your behalf.

In this article, we will cover when renters might be covered for mold damage, the reasons why your renters insurance might not cover mold damage, and how to make sure you have mold coverage in case the worst happens.

Related: How to Win a Mold Damage Case

Why Your Renters Insurance Company May Not Cover Mold Damage

Whether or not mold is covered depends on your renters insurance policy and the situation that caused your mold damage. However, in most cases, it is unlikely your insurance company will cover your damage.

Insurance companies will sometimes exclude mold coverage from renters insurance policies altogether, which makes it that much more important to carefully read your policy before signing.

Insurance companies will generally cover mold damage that is connected to covered perils, something we will cover later, but will fight back against any other cause. Even small leaks that you are unaware of can be blamed on negligence, so be sure to stay aware of any potential causes of mold while renting.

Some common causes of mold that you might assume are covered perils, but usually aren’t, include:

• Flood damage
• Sewer damage
• Structural issues or deficiencies
• Mold from other apartments spreading to yours

Even if your policy does cover mold growth, it will likely only pay for mold remediation, meaning it will only cover the work necessary to prevent it from getting worse. Other costs, including cleaning up any water damage and working with your landlord to get existing mold removed, will be considered under your duty of care. If your personal property is damaged due to mold, you may have to file a claim with your landlord’s insurance company for compensation.

How to Add Mold Protection to Your Insurance Policy

Although many basic renters insurance policies do not cover mold damage, most policies offer the opportunity to add coverage. By adding an endorsement—additional coverage that costs policyholders extra—you can ensure you can be compensated for mold damage in your rental.

A mold endorsement may vary from policy to policy, but it will typically cover up to $5,000 in liability.

Related: Does Home Insurance Cover Mold?

When Insurance May Cover Mold Damage

Before you give up on filing a claim, be sure to check your insurance policy. Even if most policies don’t include coverage for mold damage, some do for mold caused by certain covered perils. A covered peril is a specified covered event in your insurance policy, but they are limited and provide only a certain level of coverage.

Some commonly covered perils include:

• Malfunctioning appliances (especially AC units)
• A frozen or burst pipe
• Leaks caused by other covered perils like wind or hail
• Vandalism
• Water damage from putting out fires
• Water damage caused by an explosion

Since mold isn’t something that just appears by itself, your insurance will require evidence of a covered event to provide compensation. Be sure to take as many pictures of the damage and cause as possible. The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim will be.

No matter what kind of mold claims you may have, from black mold to regular house mold, your insurance will likely cover it if it falls under one of these causes. However, be careful when filing, as renters insurance companies will look for any reason to avoid paying you the benefits you deserve.

If you are unsure if your mold damage was caused by a covered event, call an experienced mold damage claim lawyer for help. Experienced attorneys can help put your policy into straightforward language, communicate with your renters insurance on your behalf, and fight back if they unfairly deny your claim.

Related: Does Insurance Cover Mold Remediation?

Insurance Claim HQ is Here to Help You Fight for Your Mold Damage Claim

When you’re renting, you shouldn’t have to worry about paying for damage to your apartment or home that wasn’t your fault. That’s why the mold damage claim attorneys at Insurance Claim HQ are here to help you get the compensation you deserve for your claim. Our law firm is experienced in fighting on behalf of claimants against unfair denials and are ready to help you with your claim.

If you or a loved one have experienced mold damage while renting, call Insurance Claim HQ at (844) CLAIM-84 or contact us to schedule your free consultation today.

 

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.