Mold damage

More claims & insurance terms

• Mitigation

  Reasonable steps taken after a loss to prevent further damage, such as tarping a roof or boarding a window. Most policies cover emergency mitigation, and it must be documented to be reimbursed.

• Mold assessment

  An inspection that identifies mold, the moisture feeding it, and the affected area, often with air or surface samples sent to a lab. It is normally done by a party separate from the removal crew, and mold coverage is limited or excluded on many policies, so check the carrier before promising payment.

• Named peril

  A specific cause of loss listed in the policy, such as fire, wind, hail, or theft. A named-peril policy pays only for the perils it lists, while an open-peril policy covers everything except what it excludes, so knowing which form the insured has changes what you can claim.

• Named storm deductible

  A separate deductible, often higher, that applies when damage comes from a storm the policy defines as a named storm, such as a tropical storm or hurricane. It is often a percentage of the dwelling limit instead of a flat amount, so the policyholder's share is far larger. Exactly what triggers it is set by state rules and the policy wording.

• Notice of claim

  The insured's report to the carrier that a loss happened, which starts the clock on the policy's duties for both sides. Prompt notice is a policy condition, and late notice can be raised as a reason to deny, though how strictly that is enforced varies by state and carrier.

• Occurrence

  The event that causes a loss, such as a hail storm or a burst pipe, and the unit most policies use to apply limits and deductibles. One storm can be one occurrence for many homes, and how occurrences are counted decides whether a loss is paid or capped.

Common questions