


You should take pictures of the affected area and everything that was damaged, as well as where the water came from, such as a burst pipe or hole in the roof. Now that you can identify when water damage is covered by your homeowners insurance, it’s imperative that you contact your insurer as soon as possible once you discover water damage in your home. Bleaching an area after a spill or leak can help prevent a potential mold infestation, too. Stay on top of repairs and maintenance in your home, especially in basements, crawl spaces and bathrooms, which are ideal areas for mold to grow. While this may be more difficult for homeowners in Florida or Louisiana, more naturally humid states, we recommend using vents and fans to reduce moisture and humidity in areas and appliances prone to it. You can prevent the growth of mold by keeping your home dry and addressing spills and leaks as soon as you find them. Should you submit a claim for mold damage, this cause would be evaluated and determined by the flood insurance adjuster. Since floods can also cause mold, any potential mold that grows as a result of a flood would be covered by flood insurance, if you have it. If a pipe in your home has leaked for months and gone without repairs, mold can grow as a result, but it won’t be covered by your homeowners insurance. Mold damage is generally covered by home insurance as long as it's not due to lack of maintenance or neglect.
