Mold Coverage and Your Insurance Claims due to Water Loss Event

6/10/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Due to a Water Damage

It has happened. There is water everywhere. Your carpet is saturated; the drywall is wet, your furniture and even some of your personal belongings. There are so many things running through your head: how am I going to get this dry; how much of this will my homeowner’s insurance policy cover; what if this water loss event leads causes mold?!

We are here to help you prepare, should a water loss event - such as a pipe burst, pipe leak, ice damming, hot water heater leak, etc. - occur in your home. Here are some tips to help you best handle the situation:

1. Familiarize yourself with your declarations page. This is something that you should do, as a homeowner, once you move in to your home. This way, you know what is covered under your policy and you are not surprised when something isn’t covered. If you're not comfortable with what is or isn’t being covered, you can contact your insurance agent to make the desired adjustments.
2. Document the loss as best you can.If a water loss event occurs, take date and time stamped photos. Keep record, such as call logs or copies of e-mails, of all interaction with your insurance company and any vendors you are using to help address the issue.
3. If you see possible mold growth or you are getting musty-like odor, contact a mold inspection company to have a mold inspection and testing performed.If a water loss event is not properly and thoroughly dried up within 48 hours, mold can begin to grow. A mold inspection and testing by a Certified Mold Inspector will determine if "abnormal" or unhealthy mold conditions exist in the area affected by the water loss event.
4. Monitor the health of those in the home.After the water loss event occurs, if any occupants of the home start experiencing adverse health reactions such as: allergy-like symptoms or respiratory issues, this may be an indication that areas were not properly dried up and mold may have started to grow. We strongly suggest having a mold inspection and testing done by a Certified Mold Inspector if any of the homes occupants are not feeling well while in the home.

If you have experienced a water loss event in your home and have concerns of mold, contact SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County at 847-516-1600. We service all of these communities in Southern McHenry County           Algonquin, Cary, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Trout Valley, Marengo, Village of Lakewood, Village of Oakwood Hills, Woodstock and Union.