Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Restoration Costs?

Understanding Your Policy

When your home requires significant restoration, one of the most pressing questions is always: “Will my insurance cover this?” The answer is rarely a simple yes or no. Insurance coverage for home restoration is a complex landscape, heavily dependent on the type of damage, the cause, and the specifics of your individual policy.

Generally, most standard homeowner’s insurance policies provide coverage for “sudden and accidental” damage. This typically includes incidents like a burst pipe, an overflowing washing machine, accidental fires, vandalism, or damage from sudden weather events like hail, windstorms, or lightning strikes. In these scenarios, the cost of water extraction, drying, debris removal, and the restoration work to return your property to its pre-loss condition is often covered. The key factor is the immediacy and unpredictability of the event. The damage must be unforeseen and happen quickly.

However, many types of damage are typically excluded from standard policies or require special riders. Gradual damage, such as a slow leak that causes rot over months, is often not covered because it’s considered preventable through routine maintenance. Neglect, pre-existing conditions, or damages resulting from poor upkeep also fall outside typical coverage. Flood damage from external sources (like overflowing rivers, storm surge, or heavy rainfall causing widespread flooding) is almost always excluded and requires a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer.

One critical aspect of coverage often overlooked is the homeowner’s responsibility for mitigation. Insurance policies usually require you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage once an incident occurs. This means immediately stopping the water source, extracting standing water, and initiating drying processes. Failing to mitigate promptly can result in your claim being partially or fully denied for any additional damage that occurred. Dry County Restoration understands this requirement and can provide immediate, documented mitigation services to protect your coverage.

Navigating an insurance claim can be overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with property damage. This is where our expertise is invaluable. Beyond performing the necessary repairs, we assist homeowners in documenting the damage, preparing detailed estimates, and we communicate directly with insurance adjusters. While we cannot guarantee coverage (that’s ultimately up to your insurer), our expertise in presenting the damage and the scope of work in an industry-standard format can streamline the claims process and maximize your chances of a successful claim.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage Repair Costs?

Does homeowners insurance cover water damage repair costs?

Plumbing leaks can do a lot of damage to a property.

When a water leak goes unnoticed for an extended period of time, it can cause extensive water damage that can total tens of thousands of dollars or more to repair.

Although insurance does not typically cover the costs associated with repairing the plumbing leak itself, insurance may pay for the damages caused by the leak.

You have to check with your insurance company and policy but in the great majority of cases that we’ve seen, insurance will cover the full cost of locating and capping off water leaks inside your home.

Whether the leak is in the slab foundation, a wall, floor, or ceiling does not matter. Both you and your insurance company want and need the leak to be located and stopped.

Leak detection is usually covered by insurance companies except in cases of neglect and poor maintenance.

Insurance companies want to mitigate any damages, and that means stopping the leak(s).

So don’t neglect any drips, call a plumber as soon as you see or suspect a water leak and get it found and fixed!

Does insurance cover re-routing the plumbing?

If re-routing the leaking water line will prevent additional damage and costs, that is often covered by insurance.

If you have a water leak in your home’s foundation and have continuous floors like tile or wood, then re-routing the plumbing is often the best solution for your insurance company and your home, and most, but not all, insurance companies will usually cover the costs to do so (minus your deductible).

Does insurance cover removing wet materials and drying out the home?

Yes, in most water damage cases, insurance companies will pay for water damage mitigation. They want to reduce the damage and claim as much as possible.

Certified water damage mitigation specialists will be needed to remove all wet materials, seal the affected area, and install professional dehumidifiers and fans to remove the moisture.

The costs for this are often covered 100% by the insurance company.

Does insurance cover repairs to walls, floors, cabinets, and other property? 

In most cases, restoring water-damaged drywall, ceilings, walls, cabinets, and flooring is usually covered by your insurance company after your deductible but policy details vary, so review yours with your agent.

Coverage to replace damaged personal effects and furnishings is often very limited.

Again, we highly recommend reviewing your policy details with your agent before you have water leak issues, and almost everyone will eventually have plumbing leak issues and potential water damage.

Questions to ask your homeowner’s insurance agent about water damage coverage:

– Does my homeowner’s insurance policy cover plumbing water leaks and water damage?

– Does insurance cover damages from toilet and sewer line backups?

– Does my policy pay for a plumber to locate and stop a hidden water leak within my home?

– Does my policy pay to reroute the plumbing if the leak is in the slab foundation and I have continuous floors (wood, tile, cork, etc.)?

– Does my policy pay for water damage mitigation (to remove all wet materials and dry out the affected areas)?

– Does my policy pay for water damage restoration (to repair the floors, walls, and ceilings back to good condition – i.e. affected drywall, paint, flooring, cabinets, etc.)?  Is there a coverage limit?

– What is my deductible in plumbing water damage cases and to what part of the process does it apply (plumbing repair, dry-out, or restoration)?

– Is my personal property covered against water damage (furniture, clothing, etc.) and is there a coverage limit?

– Are there any types of water damage that are NOT covered by your policy?

– Does my policy pay for water damage caused by roof leaks?

– Does my policy cover a local area flood that does damage to the home? (usually the answer is no, this is separate coverage)

– Do you offer a different policy or other coverage that may protect my home better? If so, at what cost?

Tips to avoid denial of coverage of water damage claims:

– turn off the main water shut-off valve to your home if you have a water leak inside your home. Don’t let the leak continue and cause additional damage.

– Act fast! Call a plumber at the first sign of any water leak or if your water bill went up significantly without explanation. Letting a water leak linger is grounds for insurance denial in most cases.

– contact your insurance company immediately after you call the plumber to find and stop the leak.

– take photos of the leak and any damage caused to present to your insurance company and in case you need to appeal any denial of claim.

– Keep good records of all home repairs. Be ready to show an insurance company that you take care of your home and address repair issues immediately as they arise.

– conduct regular maintenance on your home, including an annual plumbing inspection to test the water and drain lines and inspect all valves and fittings.

– review your policy with your agent to make sure you have a good policy that will cover you in times of true need and avoid large expenses related to water damage and other claims. Know that your policy includes and excludes before anything happens.

– get plumbing and water damage repair estimates from your plumber and other companies. Don’t just let the insurance company send their contractors because they are there on the insurance company’s behalf, not yours. Get outside quotes to confirm costs of plumbing reroute of covered, and mitigation and restoration costs.

we work with most insurance companies for water and smoke damagae mitigation and restoration 700px

If you need help, contact us for professional leak detection, repair, mitigation, and restoration services.

We also work with most insurance companies and provide water damage mitigaiton and restoration services.

Related article: Does homeowner’s insurace cover mold due to water damage?

Dry County Restoration - Water - Mold - Fire - Some Mitigation and Restoration Services - Hill Country Texas

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold?

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold?

Homeowners insurance is designed to cover you against an array of damages. However, some insurance policies often use vague wording when it comes to mold coverage.

This makes it difficult to determine whether the mold damage you might encounter will be covered. In most cases, policies exclude mold damage coverage, except when the mold results from a covered claim, such as water damage.

So, does homeowners insurance cover mold? 

The answer is yes and no. It depends on the type of mold (long-term or recent) and has to be within the general area of the materials affected. Most insurance policies have a “Fungal” limit on their policies of $5,000. This implies that if all you have is mold (no water damage), you may get a total of $5,000 towards everything. 

On the other hand, if you have both mold and water, the policy is separated from the maximum dwelling coverage. Another $5,000 will be added for the abatement of mold and replacement of any materials only affected by mold and not the water. 

The mold that results from accidental and sudden water damage, such as burst pipe, is normally covered. However, mold that forms over time because of flooding, leaking plumbing, or high humidity wouldn’t be covered. Besides, homeowner’s insurance does not cover property damage resulting from neglect or maintenance issues. 

If your policy insurer discovers that the mold growth in your property could have been prevented, or the mold was present before the incident you claim caused it, then your claim will likely be denied. Therefore, it’s important to call your plumber immediately you hear, see, or suspect a water leak. 

Can Mold From A Water Leak Make You Sick?

mold exposure health risks

Water damage is a grave issue when it affects a home. When water gets into the home, it can seep into the walls, upholstery, carpeting, and many other crevices. One might think that it has all dried up, but it can lead to the formation of black mold if not properly and professionally done.

Black mold has been proven to pose a serious health issue, especially for people with a weakened immune system, an existing respiratory problem, or an allergy.

Mold can lead to breathing problems, allergy, bronchitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, among other health conditions.

Physical Symptoms of Mold

  • Asthma
  • Itchy skin
  • Sore eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Runny or blocked nose
  • Sore throat

mold in kitchen

Can Small Water Leak Cause Mold?

When it comes to water leaks and mold, most homeowners fail to realize the extent of their connection.

Most homeowners are unaware that it’s not just serious water damage, like a visible leak or flooding, that causes mold formation. Any leak that’s not properly and professionally fixed can lead to mold formation.

Besides, mold is not something that takes a long period to develop either. Under the ideal conditions, mold can start growing and spread in one to two days. 

Is Mold From A Water Leak Dangerous

It’s no secret that mold causes damage to a structure or its contents if left to spread.

However, the most serious concern is its health effects, as mentioned above.

In most instances, short exposure mold won’t affect the health or severely affect most people. People suffering from respiratory issues, those with a weakened immune system, and those with allergies will suffer the most. 

Mold Spores

How Long Does It Take For Mold To Grow From Water Damage?

Even if you have limited water intrusion and it doesn’t cause significant damage, it could still lead to mold problems. Any amount of mold accumulation inside a home can easily cause mold formation. 

Mold spores are everywhere in the environment, so mold can start forming as soon as the ideal conditions- moisture and organic food- are present.

Under the ideal conditions, it takes just 24-48 hours for germination and growth. Usually, the spores start colonizing in 3-12 days and then become visible in around 18-21 days. 

The time varies for different mold types and depends on the specific condition in the home, household materials and surface types in the affected areas, the moisture amount, the ideal temperature, and more.

Nevertheless, the more time the mold is left unattended, the higher the chances for it to grow and spread to other parts of the home. This could mean more potential problems when it comes to mold removal.

What Does Mold From Water Damage Look Like?

what does mold look like

So, how do you spot mold? Mold is easier to spot when it starts growing. It tends to appear as small white or black specks.

Sometimes, mold tends to grow in hidden parts such as behind wall coverings or ceiling tiles.

It is often accompanied by a musty odor, implying that you’ll smell it if you cannot see it.

Since mold normally grows in humid regions or areas with high water use, it’s advisable to check for mold in the kitchen, basement, laundry room, or bathroom.

As a property owner, you can check for water leaks by yourself by looking for:

  • Damp areas inside the property
  • Abrupt changes in water pressure
  • Damp or musty odors
  • Sounds of trickling, dripping, or rushing water
  • Stains in the ceilings or on the walls
  • Abrupt increase in the water bill costs

How Do You Prevent Mold From Growing After Water Damage?

There’s a 24-48 hour window between water intrusion and the start of mold growth. If the flooded areas are entirely and correctly dried off within this period, there’s very little chance of mold growth.

Proper drying, however, can be a daunting task. This is because water can easily find its way into all materials and spread under floors, through ceilings, and into walls. 

However, below are some steps you can take immediately after water damage to prevent or discourage mold growth.

It’s advisable to hire a professional to handle the job since they have the correct tools and equipment for a quick and efficient job. 

mold remediation

Remove the water

The first thing is to remove all the water from the affected area. You can rent specialized water vacuums to draw the water away for an efficient job.

Avoid touching it without the ideal protective gear if the water is from a sewer backup, natural flood, or similar disaster.

Contaminated water could have dangerous pathogens and chemicals that can affect your health and cause disease.

Remove the damp carpets and rugs

Damp carpets and rags usually take longer to dry compared to the less porous building materials.

Therefore, it’s important to remove them from the affected areas and steam clean them to remove all germs and contaminants.

Alternatively, you can dry them in the sun to reduce the chances of mold growth. If left untended, mold will grow underneath them and spread to other parts of the building.

Dry the wet surfaces

After removing the rugs and carpets, dry all the wet surfaces to prevent moisture.

You can use a dry mop or rag to soak up the water left behind by the vacuum.

One can also rent industrial-sized dehumidifiers that can remove all moisture and ensure the rooms dry quickly. 

Keep the room and surfaces dry

Ensure the room’s humidity is below 50% to discourage mold. You can use a humidifier to achieve this or open all windows and aerate the home if the weather outside is warm and sunny. This ensures the home remains dry after the excess water is removed. 

Be aware of warning signs

Once you’ve cleaned and dried your home, continue being vigilant and sensitive to the early mold growth signs such as musty odors and black or white spots.  

water damage caused mold

How to Prevent Having your Mold Damage Claim Rejected

Numerous instances can cause your homeowner’s insurance policy claim to be denied. To improve the chances of your claim approval if you incur mold damage;

  • Regularly check plumbing fittings and pipes to look for leaks
  • Install dehumidifiers in sections that are damp prone.
  • Amply ventilate kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and other parts of the home that are prone to mold growth.
  • Ensure the gutters are cleaned to avoid ice dam formation in the winter, which can cause leaks.
  • Routinely inspect the roof, around doors and windows, and caulk the cracks that lead to water leakage.
  • Adequately insulate the exterior and interior pipes during the winter to prevent leaks or breakages.
  • Frequently inspect water heaters and appliances for signs of leaks.

If you’re filing a claim for mold damage, ensure to:

  • Properly document the damage with videos and photos
  • Include up-to-date maintenance records
  • Follow all the instructions provided by your insurance company to process the claim
  • Hire a licensed and approved mold removal company to sort out the damage

Summary

  • A homeowners insurance policy does not guarantee mold removal coverage.
  • Usually, mold damage is covered only if it’s related to water-related damage.
  • If the mold infestation is considered preventable, homeowners insurance will exclude the coverage for mold removal.
  • Mold damage as a result of flooding is not covered by standard homeowner’s insurance. A separate flood insurance policy would be required.
  • Immediately after you suspect a water leak, call your plumber. Most insurance companies consider homeowner negligence and delays as the basis to reject claims. 

call-us-for-mold removal

If you have experienced a water leak and/or have a potential mold issue, contact us for a FREE Damage Assessment. We work with most homeowner’s insurances.

Related article: Does homeowner’s insuramce cover water damage repair costs?

Dry County Restoration - Water - Mold - Fire - Some Mitigation and Restoration Services - Hill Country Texas