How to Document Mold and Water Damage for an Insurance Claim
After Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020, a lot of Lake Charles homeowners learned the hard way that a claim can hinge on paperwork. Reporting by the Gulf States Newsroom found residents still waiting and fighting for insurance payments three years later. Nobody can promise a claim will be paid. That depends on your policy and your insurer. But good documentation keeps you from losing a valid claim over missing evidence.
This guide covers what to record, in what order, and the deadlines to watch. It's general information, so read your own policy and ask your agent or insurer about your specific coverage.
Know which policy you're dealing with
Before you document anything, it helps to know where the claim will probably go, because the rules differ:
- Homeowners policy. Usually the place for wind damage, roof leaks from storm damage, and sudden plumbing failures like a burst supply line. Many policies treat mold differently depending on the cause. Mold from a sudden, covered water event is often handled differently from mold that grew over time from humidity or a slow leak, and some policies limit or exclude mold coverage. Look at your declarations page and any mold endorsement.
- Flood policy. Rising water from outside, like the May 2021 flood, is generally a flood claim, not a homeowners claim. Most homeowners policies exclude flood. Flood coverage usually comes from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood policy.
- Renters policy. Covers a renter's belongings under the policy's terms, not the building itself.
Step 1: Report the loss promptly
Call your insurer or agent as soon as you can and write down the claim number, the date, and who you spoke with. For NFIP flood policies, United Policyholders notes you must file a notice of loss as soon as possible, and a signed proof of loss is generally due within 60 days. FEMA sometimes extends that deadline after major disasters, so confirm the current deadline with your insurer or on FloodSmart.gov rather than assuming.
Step 2: Photograph and video before cleanup
This is the step people skip in the rush to get water out. Before you move, cut, or throw away anything:
- Wide shots of every affected room, then close-ups of damage.
- The source: the roof hole, the burst line, the failed AC drain, the water line on the walls.
- Water height. Put a tape measure against the wall in the photo.
- Visible mold, with something for scale.
- Damaged belongings, including brand and model labels where you can.
The Louisiana Department of Insurance's homeowners guide also recommends photos or video of your home and belongings ahead of time, with an inventory kept somewhere safe. If you haven't done that yet, do it before the next storm season.
Step 3: Protect the property and keep receipts
Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, like tarping a roof, stopping a leak, and starting to dry things out. Waiting for the adjuster while materials sit wet can make mold worse. The EPA says wet materials dried within 24 to 48 hours usually won't grow mold.
Keep every receipt: tarps, fans, dehumidifier rental, emergency plumbing, water extraction. For NFIP policies, United Policyholders notes the policy covers "reasonable actions" taken to mitigate mold.
Before throwing out damaged materials or belongings, ask your insurer whether they want to see them. If they don't, photograph everything first.
Step 4: Build a simple claim file
Keep one folder, paper or digital, with:
- A timeline. When the damage happened, when you found it, when you reported it, and every call or visit after that.
- A contact log. Adjuster names, phone numbers, emails, and what was said.
- All photos and videos, organized by room.
- Estimates and invoices for extraction, drying, mold removal, and repairs. Itemized estimates are easier for an adjuster to review than a single lump sum.
- Records of the moisture fix. Invoices for the roof repair, plumbing repair, or AC repair show the cause was addressed, which matters because mold returns if the water source isn't fixed.
- Your policy, including the declarations page and any endorsements.
Step 5: Watch out for bad actors
Disasters draw scammers. The same Gulf States Newsroom report described widespread contractor fraud in Lake Charles after 2020 and passed along FEMA's advice to ask for references and not sign away your insurance claims. Get written estimates, check references, and read anything you sign carefully. In Louisiana, you can look up a contractor's license on the LSLBC website.
If you disagree with how your claim is handled, the Louisiana Department of Insurance handles consumer questions and complaints about insurers.
Where a local pro fits in
A remediation or water damage professional doesn't decide your coverage and can't handle your claim for you. What they can do is find the moisture source, dry and clean the damage, and give you photos and an itemized estimate you can share with your insurer. If water is still in the house, start with water damage restoration. If a storm-damaged roof let water into the attic, see attic mold remediation. If the damage is under a raised home, see crawl space mold removal.
One call connects you with a local pro. Call (337) 477-3723 to describe the damage and get a free, no-pressure quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover mold in Louisiana?
Sometimes. It depends on your policy and the cause. Mold from a sudden, covered event is often treated differently from mold caused by long-term humidity or neglected leaks, and some policies limit mold coverage. Your insurer makes the call.
Should I clean up before the adjuster comes?
Document first, then take reasonable steps to stop further damage and start drying, and keep receipts. Ask your insurer before throwing out damaged materials.
Do I need a mold test for my insurance claim?
Ask your insurer what they require. The EPA notes that sampling usually isn't necessary to decide on cleanup when mold is visible. If a test is requested, Louisiana licenses mold assessment separately from remediation, so use an independent licensed assessor.
What's the deadline for a flood insurance claim?
For NFIP policies, a signed proof of loss is generally due within 60 days of the loss, though FEMA sometimes extends it after major disasters. Confirm the deadline with your insurer.
Lake Charles Mold Pros connects homeowners with independent local mold remediation professionals. This article is general information, not insurance or legal advice.