It’s common for many homeowners to assume they’re protected when they have issues with their home. However, the state has strict limitations, procedural requirements, and exclusions when it comes to homeowners’ insurance. Understanding what these are can help you determine whether mold and water damage in your home is covered under your insurance policy.
Water Damage
A common Florida homeowners’ insurance policy will divide water damage into two different categories. There are sudden and accidental events that are the result from a burst pipe, a storm-created opening, or an appliance failure. The second is gradual or maintenance issues, which are water damage areas that occur from roof wear and tear, poor drainage, and slow leaks over time. Most insurance policies will only cover sudden and accidental events and will deny coverage when it comes to gradual or maintenance issues.
Mold Damage
Unlike water damage, mold damage is one of the most restricted areas when it comes to Florida homeowners’ insurance policies. Mold is very rarely covered under warranty. It must be a direct result of a covered water loss. This means that if you experience a sudden and accidental event that allows water infiltration that leads to mold, it will likely be covered under your insurance policy.
However, there are some caveats that you should be aware of. Most coverage for mold damage is capped anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000 for remediation services. There may be sub-limits for lower payouts. In some cases, you may have to purchase an additional endorsement on your insurance policy to cover mold damage that results from a covered water damage event.
Must-Know Exclusions
One of your biggest concerns as a homeowner should be understanding any major exclusions to your insurance policy. Standard homeowner insurance policies don’t cover flooding, which also includes storm surge events. You need to purchase a separate flood policy through programs like NFIP or FEMA. Realize that if your water and mold damage is the result of long-term water intrusion into your home, your claim will likely be denied even if the damage is severe.
While mold that’s a result of sudden water infiltration is covered, pre-existing mold isn’t. As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to act quickly to stop water or dry the wet area in your home. If you fail to do so, the insurance company may reduce or deny your insurance claim. Understanding what these specific exclusions are can go a long way in helping you ensure your claim is viable to be approved by your insurance company.
Filing Requirements
The state of Florida has specific claim deadlines that you must follow. You must submit your initial claim notice within the first year that the damage occurred. Supplemental claims can be submitted within 18 months. Failing to meet these specific time deadlines can result in the denial of your claim. This holds true even if the damage is legitimate to your home.
Common Reasons for Denial
There are some common reasons why Florida homeowners have their claims denied when it comes to water and mold damage. The most common is the dispute over the cause. Homeowners may say that it’s sudden, but the insurance company may determine that it’s been a gradual issue.
Another potential reason why your claim may be denied is that you’re reporting it too late, as there are deadlines you must meet, or having low coverage caps for mold remediation. Anything over that amount typically won’t be covered. If there are policy exclusions, such as flood damage, your claim could be denied.
Tips for Increasing the Odds of Your Claim Being Approved
There are a few things you can do to help improve your chances of having your insurance claim covered. One of the most important things is to ensure that you document everything immediately. You should be taking photos and videos as soon as the damage occurs. Be sure to capture the affected areas, the timeline of your events, and the source of the water. This helps to prove that the damage was sudden and not gradual.
Do your part to act fast to prevent mold from developing. You need to stop the water source and begin drying within the first 24 to 48 hours. This will go a long way in helping to avoid a failure to mitigate denial. Lastly, be able to prove the cause of your loss. This could be a pipe burst, storm damage, or an appliance failure.
Expert Mold Removal Service
iMold provides expert mold removal services for Fort Myers, FL and the Southwest Florida community. We can also assist with all your water damage, rebuild, and biohazard cleanup service needs.
Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced removal specialists.
