Does Home Insurance Cover Mold?

Reviewed by Mae Barth, CPCU, Specialty Property Product Management

Does home insurance cover mold? Short answer: not typically. The more accurate answer: it's complicated.

As with most insurance questions, there's never a simple yes or no answer. If you have coverage questions, it's always best to reach out to your insurance agent and if you don't have one, consider finding a Foremost insurance agent near you.

Home insurance only covers damage that is "direct, abrupt and accidental" and resulting from one of the "covered perils" contained in your policy. Mold and mold damage happens over a long period of time, so usually it's not direct, abrupt or accidental.

In very rare cases, if a home were to experience a pipe burst while the owners were away and mold were to form before they got home - say a week later - then, yes the policy might cover mold damage.

Because mold is often not covered by homeowner's insurance, it's important that you address it as soon as you find it to avoid expensive repairs.

If you're currently looking for insurance, find a Foremost^® Agent near you or call us at 888-244-8092.

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