Does Allstate Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold?

Mold can be a serious problem in any home. Not only can it damage your property, but it can also lead to health issues for you and your family. That’s why it’s important to understand your homeowners insurance policy’s coverage when it comes to mold.

What Is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that grows in damp, warm environments. It produces tiny spores that float through the air. When the spores land on a wet surface, they can begin to grow and spread, forming the fuzzy splotches that we commonly think of as mold.

Mold comes in many colors, like black, green, white, or gray. There are thousands of species of mold, although only a few dozen cause problems in homes. Mold spreads quickly and can be difficult to fully get rid of once established.

Health Risks of Mold

In addition to damaging your home, mold can also affect your health and the health of your family members. People respond differently to mold exposure. Some experience no symptoms at all. For others, mold can cause:

• Congestion, runny nose, and sneezing
• Wheezing, trouble breathing
• Eye irritation
• Rashes
• Fatigue and headaches

Those most at risk for mold-related health issues include babies, children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems or respiratory issues like asthma. Long-term exposure to high levels of mold has even been linked to lung infections.

That’s why it’s so important to address any mold issues promptly. Even if you don’t have noticeable symptoms, you don’t want mold spores accumulating and circulating through your home’s air.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold Damage?

Unfortunately, standard homeowners insurance policies typically do not cover mold damage or the cost of mold remediation.

This is because mold is considered a maintenance issue that results from moisture accumulation and inadequate ventilation. Insurance is meant to cover sudden accidents and damage, not gradual wear and tear issues.

Homeowners insurance may cover mold damage only if it was directly caused by a covered loss, like:

• Fire or smoke damage
• Lightning strikes
• Wind damage
• Damage from a fallen tree
• Water damage from burst pipes

In these cases, your insurance may pay to remove mold resulting from the covered incident, up to your policy limits. This is to mitigate further damage as part of restoring your home after the initial loss.

Allstate’s Mold Coverage

Allstate offers limited mold coverage as part of its standard homeowners insurance policies.

The coverage includes:

• Up to $5,000 for mold remediation
• Payment only if the mold results from a covered loss

Keep in mind that the $5,000 limit must cover the total cost of mold testing, inspection, removal, and reimbursement for any belongings damaged by mold. If your mold remediation costs exceed $5,000, you would be responsible for paying the difference.

With Allstate, mold coverage comes with a $1,000 deductible. So if you file a claim for mold, you must pay the first $1,000 before Allstate covers the remaining costs, up to the $5,000 limit.

Increasing Your Allstate Mold Coverage

If you’re worried that $5,000 won’t be enough to cover a mold issue in your home, Allstate does offer a Mold Remediation Endorsement. This increases your coverage limit for mold remediation to either $10,000 or $25,000.

Adding the endorsement will increase your homeowners insurance premiums. But it can provide valuable peace of mind if you live in a humid area or have had mold problems before.

Mold Liability Coverage from Allstate

In addition to property damage, mold can also lead to liability claims if someone gets injured from mold exposure in your home. For example, if a guest develops a severe respiratory infection from your mold.

Allstate’s standard policies include personal liability coverage that you can use for mold liability claims. The minimum amount is typically $100,000, but you may be able to increase that limit if needed.

Preventing Mold with Proper Maintenance

Since insurance doesn’t fully cover mold, prevention is key to avoiding expensive mold issues in your home. Here are some tips:

• Keep humidity levels between 30-60% to discourage mold growth. Get a hygrometer to monitor this.

• Fix any water leaks immediately to prevent moisture accumulation.

• Regularly clean and disinfect damp areas like bathrooms.

• Make sure all areas of your home have proper ventilation.

• Clean debris from gutters and fix any roof leaks promptly.

• Use exhaust fans, dehumidifiers, and AC to remove excess moisture.

With diligent maintenance and moisture control, you can help prevent costly mold problems in your Allstate-insured home.

What to Do if You Discover Mold

If you do find mold in your house, take action right away:

• Stop any water sources and prevent further water damage.

• Open windows and use fans to dry out the area ASAP.

• Photograph the mold before disturbing it.

• Contact a mold remediation company for containment and professional removal.

• Speak to your Allstate agent about filing an insurance claim if the mold resulted from a covered incident. Provide documentation like remediation invoices and photos.

• Be prepared to pay your $1,000 deductible for approved claims.

• Consider increasing your mold coverage limits if the cost exceeds your current policy maximum.

Shop Around for the Best Mold Coverage

It’s smart to shop and compare quotes from different insurers when buying homeowners insurance. Policies and prices can vary, and you want adequate mold coverage at the best rate for your home.

Some companies may offer higher mold coverage limits or lower deductibles than Allstate. An independent insurance broker can help you find the right policy for your needs and budget.

Mold is never fun to deal with. But understanding Allstate’s mold coverage ahead of time allows you to make informed decisions if you ever need to file a claim. With proper maintenance and moisture control, you can help prevent mold from becoming an expensive headache.