Floods have devastated towns near Fort Payne, AL, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Homes are often submerged in water, forcing homeowners to sift through soaked belongings and salvage what they can. Even after the water recedes, mold can spread throughout the home, making it uninhabitable. While some insurance policies may offer assistance, coverage often depends on specific circumstances.

Understanding Standard Policies

Many standard homeowners’ insurance policies exclude mold removal, considering it the homeowner’s responsibility. However, some companies may provide coverage in certain situations. For example, if safety concerns or restrictions from authorities prevent you from removing water promptly, your insurance company might cover mold remediation costs.

Common Exclusions to Coverage

Private insurance companies may offer mold removal coverage, but exclusions are common. These exclusions often apply to standard insurance providers as well. Insurers typically assess whether water was removed promptly after a flood. Mold removal may only be covered if safety concerns or official restrictions prevented you from entering your home to address the water damage.

If you delay cleanup for several weeks and cannot prove that authorities restricted access to your home or that it was unsafe, your claim may be denied due to a lack of preventative maintenance. An agent at Attain Insurance can provide further clarification on these policies.

Previous Issues That Impact Claims

Claims are often denied if a homeowner had pre-existing issues that contributed to mold growth. For instance, a leaky pipe or roof may have already caused mold to develop before the flood. In such cases, the flood may have accelerated mold growth, but the insurer may not consider all the mold damage to be directly caused by the flood.

Understanding what your policy covers can be challenging. The experienced agents at Attain Insurance are here to help. Contact us today to learn more. We proudly serve the Fort Payne, AL, area.