Black mold, technically called toxy stachybotrys, can cause significant health problems, from dizziness and nausea to hallucinations, anxiety, depression, and personality changes–which is why addressing mold problems in your home is a serious concern. Of course, most black mold isn’t toxic and doesn’t cause side effects. But no matter what kind of mold you’re trying to remove from your home, you could be facing tens of thousands of dollars in remediation costs.

Will homeowner’s insurance cover mold remediation and restoration?

Most standard homeowner’s insurance policies don’t cover mold remediation. Not, that is, unless it’s linked to a peril specifically covered by your policy. For instance, if a pipe leak that is covered by your home insurance results in mold damage in the ceiling and wall beneath, that mold damage would likely be covered.

Your policy is most likely to be denied if the claim is based solely on the mold itself, not linked to a contributing factor. Claims are also more likely to be rejected if your home is exposed to heavy humidity on a consistent basis or if a leak or other issue has been neglected for some time.

Finding out for sure whether your damages are covered

Because every homeowner’s policy is different, your first step is to document your mold problem–take pictures and try to tell how extensive the damage is–and then contact your insurance agent. They’ll be able to go over your policy with you, answer your questions, and help file a claim.

If you’re concerned about mold damage in the future, you may be able to switch to a home insurance policy that’s sure to cover the damage; in this case, contact a local independent agent to talk about your coverage options.

Additional insurance may or may not need to be purchased to cover the personal belongings of a teenager who has recently gone away to college. Whether or not additional coverage will need to be added to cover personal belongings will depend upon where the child will be living and where the items will be stored.

Teenagers from Newark, NJ that stay in dorms will be covered by their parents’ homeowner’s policy. The homeowner’s policy typically will cover any incidents of theft, fire, or vandalism that may occur with a teenager’s personal belongings.

When covered under a parent’s homeowner’s policy, the coverage that is offered is limited. Most homeowner’s policies will place a 10% limit on the amount that will cover a teen’s personal property. If the 10% limit is not enough to cover the cost of personal belongings, the parents may need to consider increasing the personal property limit on their policy.

There is also another limitation placed on being covered under a parent’s homeowner’s policy – the child and their belongings must return home every 45 days. If a child is staying in a dorm for longer than 45 days, their personal belongings may not be covered under a homeowner’s policy and additional coverage may need to be purchased.

Teenagers that are going away to college and living in off-campus housing or a frat/sorority house will need to have an additional policy purchased as a parent’s homeowner’s policy will not cover personal belongings kept at these locations. An additional policy, such as renter’s insurance, may provide the additional coverage needed to protect these items.

If you are sending a child off to college make sure you have the proper insurance needed to protect personal belongings. As your independent agent, we can help you find and compare policies from different companies that will offer protection for your child’s personal belongings while they are at school.

Taking steps to protect your home can be complicated, but most basic homeowner’s policies in Newark, NJ will have solutions to help repair fire damage and related situations. The key is identifying the situations that are covered and the potential clauses that may prevent you from making a claim on your current plan.

Accidental Fires

In most cases, accidental fire damage is covered by the basic home policy. Accidental fires can be caused by a variety of factors, so it may be possible that certain exceptions or clauses may apply to the particular situation. Depending on the fire and the amount of damage, some insurers may provide partial protection to help replace the carpeting that was ruined by the flames.

Accidental fires can start from several sources, such as a candle, cigarette or even the home’s electrical system. In many cases, the insurer will offer coverage to repair the damages.

Exceptions in the Policy

Even though you may have coverage against fire damage, it is possible that an exception may apply to your situation. For example, if an insurer has an exception related to candles, then a fire that you accidentally started by knocking over a candle may not be covered.

Exceptions in any policy can vary based on the plan you purchased, the insurer and any special clauses that you or the insurer added. Evaluate your plan to determine if you have coverage for the specific situation to avoid any miscalculations or potential problems.

A fire is usually covered by a homeowner’s plan, but the details of the situation may impact the amount that you are given for repairs. Contact us to talk to an agent for more information about making a claim.

When your home insurance policy protects you from high-cost bills after a dog attack, you may wonder about the potential clauses, conditions and exceptions that may apply. Depending on your policy and the details of your plan, it may be possible to make a claim on your policy if your dog bites or attacks a person on the sidewalk or street in front of your house.

Identifying Property Lines

Depending on the insurance policy and your home, the property lines may or may not play a role in determining if you can make a claim. Some insurers will only pay for attacks that take place on your property while other insurance providers may pay for injuries that occur on the sidewalk or street in front of your house.

If you must identify a property line, then it may extend to the sidewalk or it may stop before reaching the sidewalk. Some insurers may include the sidewalk, but not the street.

Making a Claim

Evaluate your policy to determine if you have coverage for the specific situation. In many cases, insurers will pay for the attack if it happens directly in front of your house, but the specific details can vary.

Making a claim will depend on the situation. In many cases, you will need to contact your insurer as soon as the attack occurs and then provide proof of the cost of medical bills when the bills are available.

As a pet owner, you are responsible for the actions of your dog. If a dog attack occurs in front of your house, then your home insurance policy may offer some financial relief for the medical bills. Contact us to talk to an agent for more information.

Squirrels and other animals that are found in the area around your house can cause unexpected damage to your property. The animals may chew through wood or even damage electrical wires by chewing on them. When your home in Newark, NJ has been damaged by a squirrel, it may be possible to make a claim on your homeowners insurance policy.

The Policy Details

Ultimately, the details of your current policy will play a significant role in the ability to make a claim. Every homeowners insurance plan is different and the details about what is covered and what is not may vary.

Evaluate your policy to determine if you are covered against damage from animals. Some insurers may specify situations that are covered while others may cover several situations as long as they are out of your personal control and do not relate to regular maintenance. In some cases, you may have clauses or exceptions that exclude damage from squirrels, so read the policy thoroughly before you make a claim.

Paying for Damages

In many cases, insurers will pay for the damages to your wiring system and the house after a squirrel has caused damages. The amount that is available to repair the problem may vary based on your current policy. Insurers may offer a set percentage based on the situation, so you may or may not be able to make a claim for the full amount.

Squirrels and other animals can cause damage to your property, but the coverage and the details regarding the claims process can seem complicated. Depending on your plan, you may or may not be covered against certain damages from animals. Contact us to talk to an agent for more information about your policy options.