Does a Home Warranty Cover Mold in 2025?

Home warranties don’t typically cover mold remediation, but they may cover many causes of mold formation, like leaking pipes or roofs, broken appliances or poor ventilation. Maintaining these systems and appliances can help prevent mold from becoming a problem.

Homeowners insurance may cover mold removal caused by sudden, covered events, such as a burst pipe, but it won’t cover the cost to replace the appliance or component.

What a home warranty covers

Home warranties are designed to cover a home’s systems and appliances, as opposed to homeowner’s insurance, which covers the home’s structures and the homeowner’s liability. A home warranty will typically cover:

• HVAC, including heating systems, air conditioners, ductwork and exhaust fans.

• Electrical components such as breaker box and panel, wiring and lines, as well as doorbells, outlets and light switches.

• Plumbing components, including gas lines, water lines and drain lines.

• Toilet components and parts.

• Appliances including refrigerators, dishwashers, built-in microwave ovens, conventional ovens, ranges and cooktops, water dispensers, washing machines, dryers and garbage disposals.

Additionally, you may be able to purchase add-on coverage for roof leaks, electronics, pools and spas and more.

When does a home warranty cover mold?

Home warranties don’t generally cover mold remediation. Mold is a hazardous substance that’s typically caused by an external maintenance, workmanship or construction issue, rather than “normal wear and tear” of your home’s specific covered systems or appliances.

Since mold issues are viewed as largely preventable through proper home maintenance, mold removal is typically considered the homeowner’s responsibility rather than something a warranty covers.

However, a home warranty can help prevent mold from growing in your home in the first place, with coverage for many causes of mold, including:

• Faulty hoses or seals on washing machines.

• Plumbing problems behind walls, under sinks or in crawl spaces.

• Leaking refrigerators, dishwashers and air conditioners.

• HVAC problems with humidity control or air circulation.

• Broken or clogged sump pumps.

• Roof leaks (if your plan includes roof leak coverage).

Mold coverage with homeowners insurance

In most cases, homeowners insurance doesn’t cover mold remediation either, though there are a few exceptions. Typically, if mold occurred because of neglected home maintenance, such as poor ventilation, clogged or broken roof gutters, backed up drains or sewers or improper bathroom sealing, basic homeowners insurance will not cover removal or repair.

Covered events typically include sudden (rather than ongoing) situations, including:

• Water entering your home suddenly due to damage from a windstorm, hail or a fallen tree.

• An appliance that malfunctions and leaks, such as a dishwasher or washing machine.

• Water damage caused by putting out a home fire.

While your homeowners insurance might cover the cost of removing mold that grew as a result of an appliance malfunction, it will not cover the cost to replace that appliance. Also, be aware that any mold coverage included in your homeowners policy may have a cap, meaning it may not cover the full cost of mold remediation.

Some insurance companies offer an optional add-on called a mold endorsement. This type of rider provides expanded coverage for mold and fungus cleanup not caused by covered perils and events, such as slow, ongoing leaks and moisture.