Mold is a naturally occurring organism that can pollute the environment and cause illness. Lately mold has received heightened attention for its potential toxicity and can pose a serious liability problem for landlords and property owners. For this reason, it is important to understand where your home insurance policy stands when you are seeking commercial coverage for your Lakewood, Colorado apartment.
The Dangers of Mold
While there are over 100,000 different types of mold, only a handful are dangerous to humans. However, even non-toxic mold can cause health problems because humans vary in their response to mold. Those who have been exposed to toxic mold may experience a wide range of medical conditions, including skin problems, fatigue, and respiratory ailments.
Is Mold Covered By Commercial Insurance?
Typically, the answer is no. Because mold flourishes in moisture, burst pipes and unkempt bathrooms serve as conduits for mold spores. Usually, the tenant can prevent mold by diligently cleaning areas that are prone to moisture or by taking care of leaking pipes immediately. Thus, mold is considered to be a maintenance issue and is excluded from coverage by most insurance companies.
How an Independent Agent Can Help
Though mold is treated as a maintenance issue, mold can often spread through construction practices that introduce moisture to the foundation or building materials. Occasionally, coverage may be provided for structural damage where you can verify that the mold was not caused by negligence on behalf of the tenant or the property owner.
An independent agent can help you determine whether your home insurance policy will provide coverage for mold and what your options are if you find toxic mold on your property. Contact us today to tackle this important issue and find the best home insurance policies for covering mold damage on your property.