Nerdy takeaways
- Homeowners insurance usually pays for mold damage up to your policy limits only if it’s caused by a sudden, accidental event, such as a burst pipe.
- Homeowners insurance won’t pay to clean up mold from flooding, sump pump failure or poor maintenance.
- You can buy add-on coverage for some mold damage a standard policy won’t pay for.
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Answer a few questions to see custom quotes and find the right policy for you. Does homeowners insurance cover mold?
Homeowners insurance generally covers mold only when it's caused by a "covered peril" — an event your homeowners insurance policy will pay for. These events must be sudden and accidental.
Usually covered
- Broken water heater.
- Water from putting out a fire.
- Burst or frozen pipe.
- Sudden appliance leak.
- Ice dams
- Sudden overflow from air conditioning or heating systems.
Not usually covered
- Poorly sealed windows or doors.
- A leaky faucet you haven't fixed.
- Lack of ventilation.
- Sump pump failure.
- Water or sewer line backup.
- Flooding.
If the event is covered, your homeowners insurance policy will likely pay to remove the mold and repair damage left behind. However, a standard policy probably won’t pay to fix the cause of the damage, such as a broken appliance or burst pipe.
Say your washing machine suddenly springs a leak, leaving mold and water damage on your laundry room floor. Your homeowners policy might remove the mold and replace the floor. But it won’t buy you a new washing machine.
Did you know...
If you want insurance for home systems and appliances, consider equipment breakdown coverage. This add-on will help pay to fix appliances and systems that suddenly stop working. How much will homeowners insurance pay for mold?
Even when mold is covered, you may still need to shoulder some of the costs. Your deductible will apply to the claim, and insurers usually cap payouts at $1,000 to $10,000. You might be able to purchase a mold add-on to increase your mold coverage limit.
When mold isn’t covered — and how to add coverage
Home insurance policies are designed to cover sudden, accidental damage, so they typically won’t cover mold caused by neglect or a lack of regular upkeep.
Below are a few other common causes of mold damage that a standard home insurance policy usually won’t cover and how to get coverage for them.
Sump pump failure and water or sewer backup
Say your sump pump dies, leaving your basement underwater, or a city sewer line backs up into your bathroom. Mold could grow easily in such situations, but standard home insurance policies usually won’t cover the cleanup.
How to get coverage: Many insurers offer sump pump and water backup coverage as an optional add-on. This can pay for water and mold damage from a backed-up drain, broken sump pump or clogged sewer line.
However, this coverage will likely not pay for gradual issues such as water leaking in through your home's foundation.
Flood damage
Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flooding. In the insurance industry, flooding refers to scenarios that tend to affect multiple properties such as overflowing rivers, tidal surges or runoff from heavy rain.
How to get coverage: If you’re in an area at risk, consider buying separate flood insurance. But know that even if you have flood insurance, your policy may not cover mold damage. The country’s biggest flood insurance provider, the National Flood Insurance Program, covers mold damage only if you can't access your home after a flood.
If a leak behind your walls causes mold to grow in your home over time, homeowners insurance probably won’t cover it. Even though hidden water damage isn’t necessarily the result of willful neglect, it’s not considered a sudden, covered event.
How to get coverage: Hidden water damage coverage pays for damage from leaks you can’t see, like a burst pipe behind a wall. It could also cover mold cleanup. However, not all companies sell this insurance.
Should you file a mold claim?
Even if you think your insurer will pay for your mold damage, filing a claim isn’t always worth it. The average cost of mold remediation in the United States is $2,368, according to Angi, a home services website.
If your homeowners insurance deductible is $2,000, your insurer would pay only $368 toward that average cost. And because filing a claim often leads to higher premiums, you could end up losing money in the end.
If you’ve got other damage besides mold, or a significant infestation that will cost a lot more than your deductible to clean up, filing a claim is more likely to be worth it.
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Answer a few questions to see custom quotes and find the right policy for you. How to file a mold claim
Mold can start to form in as little as one day, so acting fast is important.
- Stop the leak as soon as possible.
If you have a water leak or burst pipe in your home, shut off the main water valve immediately. (Note that some shut-off valves are outside.) - File as soon as you can.
Depending on your insurer, you may be able to file your claim online, through an app or by phone. - Document the damage.
Take photos and videos of mold and water damage you find. Make a thorough list of all damaged items. - Clean up excess water, and dehumidify the area.
Wipe up pools of water and use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to dry out the site. If you're having trouble cleaning up the water, consider hiring a trusted water removal contractor. - Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
Once you've documented the damage, make temporary repairs to protect from further problems, but hold off on major fixes until you’ve filed a claim. Keep receipts for all purchases related to cleanup and repairs, as your insurer may reimburse you.
What to do if your mold claim is denied
If your insurance company denied your mold claim but you still think the damage should be covered, you can try appealing your claim. You’ll probably need to prove that the mold was caused by a sudden event rather than gradual damage. Make sure to document the source of the mold, and keep photos, maintenance receipts and damaged materials as evidence.
But if you know the mold was caused by something insurance won’t cover, you’ll be responsible for the cleanup. You may be able to get rid of small patches of mold yourself, but for bigger jobs, consider hiring a professional.
Make sure the contractor you choose is licensed and insured, and that they have previous experience with mold remediation.
How to prevent mold in your home
These tips can help prevent mold from growing in your home:
- Inspect your pipes, faucets and hoses regularly, and fix leaks right away.
- Make sure gutters and downspouts direct rainwater away from your home.
- Keep humidity low in your house by using air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
- Improve bathroom and kitchen ventilation by installing exhaust fans.
- Avoid putting carpet in areas at risk for collecting moisture, such as a basement or bathrooms.
- Regularly inspect your roof for leaks and keep your gutters free of debris.
- Consider replacing the hoses to your dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator and other large appliances every five years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover black mold?
Black mold is treated like any other type of mold. Homeowners insurance will likely cover it if it was caused by a sudden, accidental event. But if it grew due to neglect, a gradual leak or an excluded event like flooding, it’s probably not covered.
How can I get rid of mold?
For patches of mold on hard surfaces, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends cleaning with detergent and water. Unfortunately, it’s often impossible to remove mold from porous items like carpets or ceiling tiles, so you may need to throw those away. To protect yourself, the EPA advises wearing gloves, an N-95 respirator and goggles while cleaning up mold.
What are the signs that my home has mold?
If the mold isn’t readily visible, you may be able to smell a damp or musty odor. Mold may also cause breathing issues for some people. Keep an eye out for water stains or warped walls, indicating water damage and potential places for mold to appear.
How fast can mold grow?
Mold can start growing on damp surfaces within 24 hours, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. That’s why it’s so important to clean up quickly after a flood or leak.
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- 1. Angi. How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost? [2026 Data]. Accessed Jun 11, 2026.
