Water Damage, Molds And Insurance Policy
Topics: Water, Damage, , Molds, And, Insurance, Policy
If you have water damage at home due to severe storm, burst pipe, or roof leak, one of its possible aftermaths is mold growth. The question that immediately hits homeowners in such cases is if water damage resulting in mold growth will be reimbursed by their insurance.
Molds are microorganisms that belong to the same family as mushrooms and yeasts. Mold spores are present both outside and inside of your home, and wait only for the opportune condition to germinate. Molds can damage your possessions, structure of your home, and your health. They are considered allergens and can cause asthma attacks, lung infections, and can be harmful to people undergoing chemotherapy or HIV treatment.
Molds can grow where temperature is anywhere between 2 - 40 degree Celsius, where there’s an organic food supply (carpets, books, woods, etc), and where there’s moisture. In order to avoid mold, you have to dry water-damaged areas immediately. For insurance claims purposes, first you have to call your insurance carrier to report the water damage. Expect to answer a few questions such as: what is the source or cause of water damage? How did it occur? Are you reporting the incident right away for immediate cleanup and restoration?
Generally, insurance policies cover mold damage that is related to “insured loss” category. This simply means that the source of water intrusion, and therefore mold damage too, can be determined. What needs to be determined is if mold damage existed prior to water damage or a result of it.
For instance, if you already have a moldy basement and then a pipe bursts, only damages caused as a direct consequence of pipe burst will be covered, but not the damage caused by mold. Your insurance carrier will send an inspector to determine whether the mold is a direct result of water intrusion, or existed prior to it. An inspector can determine the age of mold— whether it is pre-existing, or recently developed.
If mold growth is not the outcome of water intrusion as specified by your insurance policy, the damage caused by mold will not be reimbursed by your insurance carrier.
If the cause of mold growth is ongoing or hidden water damage, the rule would be the same. Reimbursement of damage will be determined by nature of the policy itself (whether the cause of water intrusion is covered by the insurance or not), and by age of mold (whether it is pre-existing or not).
Whether mold damage is covered by your insurance policy or not, whether it exists prior to or after water damage, you should contact water restoration specialist right away for cleanup and molds removal. Depending on severity of mold infestation, you might be asked to leave immediate vicinity during mold remediation. Hiring professionals to do the necessary task for ensure that moisture problem in your home is properly corrected; that source of water damage will be repaired; and that drying of your home will be done speedily. It is highly advised that you contact water restoration services within 48 hours or less to prevent mold growth or worsening of mold infestation.
Chris Blastoyout write for homeowners. Additional information available at www.wetbasementnj.info
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