Mold in the home is a serious issue. 

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), mold can cause many health issues such as skin rash, sore throat, stuffy nose, burning eyes, coughing, or wheezing. In the worst cases, asthmatic individuals can have severe reactions. People with weak immune systems may develop chronic lung disease or lung infections. 

Mold appears in a home due to leaks in the home foundation, open doors, vents, windows, heating, and air conditioning. It grows where there are pools of water in the basement, and in ceiling tiles, wallpaper, drywall, carpet, closets, fabrics, and insulation.

When mold, fungus, or mildew are found, they have to be the result of a covered loss. If a water pipe bursts, the damage from it, including mold, would be covered. Most insurance companies require that the damage result from a sudden and accidental event, such as a significant storm or heavy rain. Water cascades into the home, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage. Mold is inevitable. Since the water damage is covered, the mold will also be covered. So, the insurance company will pay for mold remediation and removal.

However, mold coverage may have limits. Consult with your homeowner's insurance agent for details. In Maryland, you can add the mold coverage endorsement.

Some homeowner's insurance policies exclude all coverage for any type of mold damage or liability coming from mold. Some homeowners' policies cover losses if mold is caused by a covered peril.

Typically, homeowners' insurance policies have an extensive list of exclusions of damage from mold. There may be exceptions in the policy which provide for only minimal coverage. Exclusions to mold coverage include if the damages result from

1. leaks that were not repaired
2. wear and tear
3. poorly done repairs 
4. moisture or water from construction

Maryland can be prone to mildew or high humidity, so you may want to consider adding a mold endorsement to your homeowner's insurance policy. Some higher-valued homeowners insurance policies may have mold coverage included automatically. ***Coverage costs vary. 

So, the answer to whether you have mold coverage on your homeowner's insurance policy is ‘yes’ and ‘no’. There is only minimal coverage in the standard policy. You can, however, add the mold coverage endorsement to your policy if you believe your home and location in Maryland may be prone to having it. Just keep in mind, there will still be exclusions. Consult your insurance agent for coverage information.



If you believe you need more coverage for mold in your home, please contact our experienced team at Lindquist Insurance. We can advise you on the correct homeowner's insurance coverage that you may need and answer your questions. Call (301) 694-0008 for an appointment. 

We serve the Annapolis, MD, and Frederick, MD areas. 

*** For more information on mold, visit the State of Maryland website.