If you have discovered mold in your home, it’s important to take the following steps before contacting and filing an insurance claim for mold:
Assess the extent of the problem: The first step in dealing with mold is to assess the extent of the problem. This may involve conducting a visual inspection of your home or hiring a professional mold inspector to evaluate the situation. Understanding the scope of the mold problem can help you determine whether it makes sense to file an insurance claim.
Identify the source of the mold: This could be a leaky pipe, a roof leak, or high humidity levels. Once you have identified the source, take steps to fix the problem to prevent future mold growth. Like adjusting the humidity level on a HVAC system.
Document the damage: Take pictures and videos of the mold growth, and make a list of any items that have been damaged or need to be replaced. This documentation will be useful when you file your insurance claim. If growth is significant, DO NOT attempt to clean the area. Disturbing growth could spread mold spores throughout your home.
Date of loss and the date of discovery are important for insurance claims. The date of loss is used to determine the amount of the claim, while the date of discovery is used to determine if the claim is eligible for coverage and if it was reported in a timely manner.
In some cases, the date of discovery can also affect the type of coverage that applies to the claim. For example, if a policyholder’s home was damaged by a flood, but they didn’t discover the damage until several weeks later.
Hire an Independent Mold Inspector: Hire a company like Bio Pro Mold Assessment to inspect and provide a protocol of extent of loss to evaluate if loss is greater than deductible.
Independent vendors are typically third-party contractors who are not affiliated with any particular insurance company.
Contact your insurance agent or review your policy: Once you have a better understanding of the mold problem, it’s important to review your insurance policy to determine whether mold is covered. Or contact your insurance agent to determine if mold damage is covered under your policy. Not all insurance policies cover mold damage, and those that do may have certain limitations or exclusions. Review your policy carefully to understand your coverage and any deductibles or limits that apply.
File a Claim: After a mold report is received from Bio Pro and it is determined there is indeed a loss and remediation will exceed your deductible, contact your insurance company and file a claim.
Hire a professional mold remediation company: It’s important to hire a professional mold remediation company to assess the extent of the mold damage and to remove the mold safely. Do not attempt to remove the mold yourself, as this can be dangerous and may result in further damage.
Keep records: Keep records of all communication with your insurance company and the mold remediation company, including dates, times, and names of individuals you spoke with.
This includes any receipts and invoices: Whether or not you file an insurance claim, it’s important to keep all receipts and invoices related to mold remediation. This can include the cost of hiring a mold inspector, the cost of remediation work, and any related expenses such as hotel stays or temporary housing. These receipts and invoices can be used to support your claim and may be required by your insurance company as part of the claims process.
By following these steps, you can help ensure a smooth and successful insurance claim process for mold damage.