If the reason the mold has formed is that you have not performed any maintenance on your roof for over 40 years, your policy will not cover the damages. These scenarios mentioned above are caused by negligence rather than a freak accident. Your insurance company expects you to look after your home and perform regular maintenance to ensure that these do not happen. To ensure that your insurance policy is valid, you must check your home regularly, ventilate all rooms and bathrooms on a daily basis, use heating and dehumidifiers when necessary, and even get your roof inspected every couple of years.
Will My Home Insurance Cover Black Mold?
While mold and mildew are very much the same, they do have some significant differences. Mildew is normally grey or white and sits on the surface. It can be removed with regular detergent or cleaning chemicals and can be wiped with a cloth or light brush. On the other hand, the mold is normally green. But, when mold turns really nasty it turns black. This is often a sign of serious infestation. This is the most toxic and dangerous kind of mold and may require professional attention if left untreated. But, the real question is, will your homeowner policy cover you if your mildew has turned into the black mold? Once again, it completely depends on your individual circumstances. If, as described above, a pipe burst or your water heater ruptures, leaving water damage that causes black mold, the likelihood is, your insurance policy will cover any repairs. But, if you live in a humid part of the world and have failed to ventilate your home or use a dehumidifier and black mold has spread across your walls, the blame lies with you for not addressing the problem earlier.
Will My Homeowners Policy Cover Roof Leaks, Mold, And Water Leaks?
Whether or not your homeowners' insurance covers mold damage depends on your policy and the circumstances of the problem. There are situations where roof leaks that lead to mold damage are covered. For example, if ice forms on your roof and leaves water in your shingles, thus leaking into your attic, and creates mold growth on your walls and floor then yes, you are most likely going to be covered. Unfortunately, if mold grows because of a roof leak that could have been prevented, you will not be covered. With this in mind, it is essential that you undertake regular roof maintenance to prove to your insurance company that the situation was out of your control. In addition to knowing whether or not you are covered by your insurance policy, you also need to learn how to file a mold damage claim. If the water is coming from your roof, the first step you should take is to try and patch the roof to avoid further damage. You should also keep a log of all the work done on your roof and always promptly fix leaks or other roof related issues.