How Do I File A Mold Damage Claim?

Similar to any other home insurance claim, contact your insurance company as soon as possible to file a mold claim.

If you’re not sure if your policy covers mold damage, check your home insurance policy or call your local insurance agent. Make sure not to start the claim process as it can be denied even if it is a zero paid out claim which will go against you at renewal.

Mold grows quickly so take photos and then stop the source of the leak and clean up the water if it’s over your head give us a call. An insurance company expects you to be proactive in fixing problems and avoiding further damage.

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Here are the steps to take:

1. Stop the leak. You might need to shut off the water to your home if you have a leaky pipe or patch a hole if there’s water coming from your roof. This valve is usually in the basement or on an outside wall in a utility area of the house. The main shutoff valve allows a full flow of water through the pipe when it’s open. Turning off this valve (by turning it clockwise) cuts off the water supply to the entire house.
2. Remove the water with a mop or wet vac. If there’s a lot of damage or clean up, call an expert like us that specializes in removing water and clean-up.
3. Remove rugs, insulation, and any other materials that can collect water and become breeding grounds for mold.
4. Open windows and doors and use fans to dry out the area.
5. Wash the area thoroughly. Use non-ammonia detergent and water to clean hard, nonporous surfaces, such as metal, glass, wood, and plastic. Scrub rough surfaces like concrete. Disinfect with water and bleach. Don’t mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Wear non-porous gloves and eye protection.
6. Call your insurance company with detailed information as to damages, what happened, and what prevention and clean-up you’ve done. Document what’s damaged, how much you paid for them, and when you bought them. Take photos.
7. Don’t throw the materials away until you call your insurance company. Take photos and keep the damaged materials. An insurance adjuster might want to see the damaged materials. Put them in a garage or another place that’s away from your living areas until you meet with an insurance adjuster.

In Conclusion

If you are concerned about possible health risks, discuss with your insurance company if there is a need to move out of the house.  If you do need to move out until the mold is removed, determine how much additional living expenses (ALE) your home insurance will provide you. Our job is to assist you the homeowner with this process. It is a daunting task typically for any homeowner so let us assist in addressing these issues for you.