No, renter's insurance does not typically cover biohazard cleanup as this is usually the responsibility of the landlord. However, renter's insurance can prove incredibly useful when it comes to replacing damaged personal belongings and covering some of the expenses involved.
Whether you are renting a commercial or residential property, you must know the protocol when it comes to different scenarios and emergencies, including biohazards. While you may think that a death, animal infestation, or sewage spill may never take place under your roof, these unfortunate incidents occur far more often than you may think.
In this article, we'll go into further detail about renter's insurance coverage and the potential dangers of biohazards.
What Does Renter's Insurance Cover?
While renter's insurance doesn't typically cover biohazard cleanups, this type of insurance policy is designed to protect tenants' personal belongings in the case of unforeseen circumstances.
Some policies also cover things like temporary housing, medical visits, and any other costs that are not included in your normal living expenses in the case of a biohazard.
Many landlords require their tenants to have this type of insurance coverage. But even if they don't, it's still well worth looking into a renters insurance policy if you don't already have one.
Does homeowner's insurance cover biohazard cleanup?
Yes, in most cases, it does. Landlord's property insurance is slightly different from renters insurance in that it is specifically geared toward property owners.
This type of insurance policy typically covers structural damage to the property in case of natural disasters, biohazards, crime, and other circumstances.
Every insurance policy is slightly different, so it's important to know the exact details of your specific policy and go through a reputable insurance company.
Who is Responsible for Paying for Biohazard Cleanup?
The details of who is responsible for paying for biohazard cleanup should be stated in your rental agreement. If it's not, you should have a chat with your landlord as soon as possible to ensure that a clause is included in an updated contract.
In most cases, your landlord's homeowner insurance policy covers biohazard cleanup and will pay for any structural damages to the property. If the landlord does not have the right insurance coverage, they may need to pay for restoration services themselves.
Any damage or destruction to the tenant's personal belongings should typically be covered by renters insurance. If the tenant doesn't have renters insurance, the replacement of any damaged items will be at their own expense.
However, if the biohazard was the tenant's fault, the responsibility may fall on them to pay for the biohazard damage. This is why it is so important to tell your landlord about any potential biohazard issues as soon as possible.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover All Different Types of Biohazards?
The types of biohazards that are covered will differ from policy to policy. The most common types that are covered include sewage and crime scenes. You need to familiarize yourself with your specific policy and change policies if you are not satisfied.
Examples of Biohazards
The first things that most people think of when they think of biohazards are things like blood and other bodily fluids from crime scenes. But biohazards don't necessarily need to be as extreme and obvious as that. Here are a few other examples of biohazards that may affect residential and commercial properties:
Chemical biohazards
Common chemical biohazards include asbestos, lead, radon, and other outdated building materials that can cause damage to tenant health over time.
Bacteria and viruses
Bacteria and viruses can be brought into your property by people and animals, but they can also occur in the soil. While bacteria and viruses may not be as extreme as other biohazards, they can lead to major health issues.
Sewage
Sewage is one of the most common biohazards and can occur because of plumbing issues and backed-up drains. Exposure to sewage for prolonged periods can result in all sorts of horrible diseases.
Mold
Mold is often referred to as the 'silent killer'. In many cases, you may not even be able to see it but it can have negative effects on your respiratory system as well as your overall health.
Crime scene biohazards
Blood and any other bodily fluids act as biohazards in the case of a crime scene. Crime scenes require specialized cleaning services with the right processes and protocols in place.
Animal waste
If you have a rat infestation in the ceiling, the rat droppings are a dangerous biohazard. The same goes for other critters like bats and mice.
The Dangers of Biohazards
Biohazard damage extends past structural damage to the property. One of the most significant risks of biohazards is the threat they pose to the tenant's health, and this should not be taken lightly.
Biohazards can lead to extreme illness and disease, and there have been several cases in which tenants have died because of unreported biohazards.
The Cost of Biohazard Cleaning
The cost of cleaning up biohazards depends on the specific project and the building materials needed to repair the property damage.
Other contributing factors include how quickly the biohazard was reported and the accessibility to the damaged area.
The longer you leave biohazards, the more contaminated your property can become, thus resulting in more costly repairs.
What to Do in the Event of a Biohazard
If you are living in a house with a biohazard, you should inform your landlord immediately. You should move out of the property and be careful about taking items with you that may be contaminated.
While some biohazards happen as unavoidable accidents, there are ways in which you can prevent certain biohazards from taking place. Some prevention methods include keeping the property clean and well-ventilated, storing leftover food properly, and making use of antibacterial agents.
If you own a home that has a biohazard contamination, speak to your insurance agent as soon as possible. This is a situation that should be dealt with swiftly and professionally. Check your insurance policy carefully so that you're fully informed of the extent of your coverage limit.
If you are ever in need of reliable biohazard cleaning, don't hesitate to get in touch with the team at Chore-ology. We are the leader in biohazard decontamination in the greater Seattle and Tacoma area.
Whether your needs are residential or commercial in nature, we'll handle the cleanup project with the highest industry standards and attention to detail. In addition to biohazard cleanups, we also offer a range of other specialized cleaning services.