As a Miami resident, you may understand firsthand how common heavy rainfall, tropical storms, and hurricanes are in your area. So you may understandably be frustrated with the fact that most standard homeowners’ insurance policies do not offer coverage for flood damage. But if the damage you incur is specifically due to toxic mold, you may be worried about how rapidly it will spread and how dangerous it could be to your physical health. So if this is your current predicament, please follow along to find out whether you can get insurance coverage for toxic mold issues and how a proficient Miami flood damage lawyer at the Law Offices of Gonzalo Funes, PA, can help you receive the aid you direly need.
Can I get insurance coverage for toxic mold issues after a flood?
To reiterate, standard homeowners’ insurance rarely protects against flood damage, which is generally damage caused by the overflow of inland or tidal waters, rapid accumulation of surface water from heavy rain, mudflows, or the collapse of land along a body of water. In other words, it is water from a natural event originating from outside your home.
Importantly, though, there is a distinction made with water damage. By its general definition, this is damage from water originating inside the home due to a sudden, accidental event. More specific examples of such an event may include a burst pipe, roof leak, appliance leak, water heater failure, or plumbing overflow.
And so, your Florida homeowners’ insurance may cover certain forms of water damage that result in toxic mold issues. However, your insurance company may still make receiving coverage rather difficult, as they may argue that a sudden event did not cause the mold, but rather, an ongoing seepage, long-term leak, etc., that you were negligent in addressing promptly.
What should I do after a flood event to avoid mold damage?
To have a chance at receiving a financial payout for your mold damage, you must show within your homeowners’ insurance claim that you acted quickly to prevent future growth. Not only is this important to address mold as a time-sensitive emergency for your claim, but also for your health. That said, below are the steps you should take immediately after your water damage event:
- Shut off your electricity if water has reached your outlets or appliances.
- Move your personal belongings to dry areas of your house.
- Open all your windows and doors to start the ventilation process.
- Turn on fans and dehumidifiers to further promote ventilation.
- Remove wet rugs, dry walls, and flooring materials if necessary and possible.
- Hire a licensed water mitigation or mold remediation company for professional aid.
You probably have more questions regarding this topic, and we would be happy to answer them for you. So please schedule an initial consultation with a talented Miami property damage lawyer from the Law Offices of Gonzalo Funes, PA. We look forward to our conversation with you.
