Insurance Claim for Mold Removal in FL
Florida Mold Insurance Claims: Official Guidance, Coverage Considerations & Consumer Resources
Mold damage is a common issue in Florida due to high humidity, hurricanes, flooding, plumbing failures, and roof leaks. Unfortunately, filing a mold-related insurance claim can be confusing, as coverage varies widely between policies and carriers.
This page provides general educational information about mold insurance claims in Florida and links to official state and federal resources to help homeowners, landlords, and property managers better understand their rights and responsibilities.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold in Florida?
In Florida, mold damage is not automatically covered under most homeowners insurance policies. Coverage typically depends on:
- The cause of the mold
- Policy language and exclusions
- Whether the mold resulted from a sudden and accidental event
Mold May Be Covered If It Results From:
- Sudden plumbing leaks or pipe bursts
- Accidental appliance failures
- Storm-related water intrusion (if wind-driven rain is covered)
- Fire suppression water damage
Mold Is Commonly Excluded If It Results From:
- Long-term leaks or deferred maintenance
- High humidity or condensation issues
- Flooding (requires separate flood insurance)
- Wear and tear or construction defects
Many Florida policies also include mold coverage caps, often ranging from $5,000–$10,000, even when mold is covered.
Importance of Proper Mold Documentation
Insurance carriers often require detailed documentation to support a mold-related claim, which may include:
- A professional mold inspection or assessment
- Laboratory mold testing results
- Moisture and water damage documentation
- Photos, infrared imaging, and written reports
- Evidence of the original covered water loss
Working with state-certified mold inspectors and licensed restoration contractors can help ensure reports meet insurance standards.
Assignment of Benefits (AOB) & Mold Claims in Florida
Florida law allows policyholders to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB), transferring insurance claim rights to a contractor. While AOBs can speed up emergency repairs, they have also been widely abused by unethical companies.
Pros of AOB:
- Faster emergency mitigation
- Contractor bills insurance directly
- Reduced upfront costs
Cons & Risks:
- Loss of control over your insurance claim
- Potential inflated billing or unnecessary work
- Increased risk of litigation
- Possible impact on future premiums or coverage
Florida has passed recent reforms limiting AOB abuse, but consumers should still review AOB agreements carefully and consult legal or insurance professionals when needed.
Tenant & Landlord Mold Insurance Considerations
- Landlords are typically responsible for repairing mold caused by building defects or water intrusion.
- Tenants should notify landlords promptly and document conditions in writing.
- Renters insurance may cover personal belongings damaged by mold, depending on the cause.
Official Florida Mold Insurance & Consumer Resources
Below are official state and federal resources related to mold, insurance claims, and consumer rights in Florida:
Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR)
https://www.floir.com
Provides oversight of insurance companies and consumer assistance.
Florida Department of Financial Services – Insurance Consumer Help
https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers
File complaints, verify insurers, and learn about policy rights.
Florida Department of Health – Mold Information
http://www.floridahealth.gov/Environmental-Health/mold/index.html
Health guidance and mold-related education.
Florida Senate – Assignment of Benefits (AOB) Reform
https://www.flsenate.gov
Search for statutes related to property insurance and AOB regulations.
HUD – Florida Tenant Rights & Housing Issues
https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/states/florida/renting/tenantrights
Important Disclaimer
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. Mold insurance claims are highly fact-specific. Policyholders should consult:
- Their insurance carrier
- A licensed public adjuster
- A qualified insurance attorney
- State-certified mold and restoration professionals
Need Help With a Mold Insurance Claim?
If you are dealing with mold damage and are unsure how to proceed, working with licensed, state-certified professionals can help protect your property, health, and insurance rights. Find out more about our mold insurance claims services.
Mold and Insurance Claims
Getting rid of mold entirely is possible only if you decide to move to another planet. Mold is commonly found in nature and even the most successful state certified mold inspection and removal companies in Florida cannot entirely prevent mold from entering your house. But what a good mold remediation contractor can do is make your home as mold friendly as possible by taking preventative measures that will discourage mold growth. But ultimately the onus falls squarely on your shoulders in preventing future mold outbreaks.
A mold testing company must give you an estimate of what the testing process, the cleanup and the rebuilding of moldy structures will cost you. Ideally, this number given to you by a Florida mold mitigation company should be taken to your homeowner’s insurance policy agent and discussed at length. This will allow both you and the mold inspection agent to figure out what would fit within the budget without too much out-of-pocket expenses. Most homeowners insurance does include protection against mold, but it never hurts to check what your present policy does for you. So do discuss with your insurance carrier what your options with the Florida mold inspection company are.
Mold remediation companies in Florida are usually happy to work within the budget that is laid out by your insurance policy and in all likelihood will tell you any extra expenditures that may be involved. Why this is important is that you may have to come up with the funds for part of the rebuild yourself. This can sometimes be very expensive for a homeowner and therefore mold inspection companies will provide an outlined estimate of how extensive the damage and repairs would be.
If the mold problem is not addressed totally,it is not going to go away on its own. It will continue to fester and take on proportions that would be even harder and more expensive to clean up in the long run. So when it comes to mold, it is better to call a mold inspection company right away so that the moisture and mold problem can be fixed. If the problem recurs, you can be rest assured that the Florida mold removal company will revisit your home to address the problem from scratch. So act right now so that you do not have to worry about health issues later.
