Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Asbestos Removal?


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Key Takeaways

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Asbestos removal typically costs $1,160 to $3,040, but prices vary based on material type, location and project size. Extensive remediation may cost more.

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If asbestos is undisturbed and in good condition, encapsulation or enclosure may be safer and more cost-effective than removal.

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Professional asbestos abatement is necessary due to serious health risks from improper handling.

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Is Asbestos Removal Covered by Insurance?

In general, homeowners insurance doesn't cover asbestos removal because asbestos is classified as a pollutant, which is excluded from most standard policies.

When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Asbestos Removal?

Coverage may apply if the asbestos is disturbed or exposed due to a covered peril, such as fire, wind, snow damage, vandalism or a falling tree.

For example, if storm damage exposes asbestos-containing materials in your roof or walls, your insurer may cover the remediation cost as part of the overall repair.

Since coverage depends on how the exposure occurred, review your policy details or speak with your insurer. If asbestos removal isn't covered, don't attempt to handle it yourself. Hire a licensed asbestos removal professional trained in proper containment and disposal to be safe.

Why Doesn’t Homeowners Insurance Cover Asbestos Removal?

Asbestos remediation is considered a maintenance issue, not sudden or accidental damage, from the insurer's perspective. Because asbestos removal can be complex and expensive, including it in standard coverage would raise premiums for all policyholders.

Also, asbestos is commonly found in homes built before the 1980s, often in insulation, floor tiles or roofing materials. It usually doesn't pose a health risk unless disturbed, which is why homeowners insurance companies don’t cover proactive or preventive removal.

How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost?

Asbestos removal costs vary based on these factors:

  • The type of material being removed
  • The size and location of the contaminated area
  • Disposal and labor costs in your area 

On average, homeowners pay between $1,160 and $3,040, with a national average of $2,080. More extensive projects or those requiring full-scale remediation can cost much more.

Because asbestos removal requires strict safety protocols, containment measures and proper disposal, it’s a task best left to licensed professionals. Attempting removal yourself can increase health risks and lead to contamination of your home.

How to Deal With Asbestos Removal

Self-removal of asbestos may pose serious health concerns. You must hire an asbestos removal expert. These professionals are familiar with all relevant safety measures and have the necessary equipment and supplies to safely extract and dispose of the contaminant.

If asbestos-containing materials aren't properly labeled, they're hard to identify. A professional asbestos removal inspector can test questionable items for asbestos presence. Due to the risk of releasing asbestos contaminants into the air during sample collection, don't conduct your own asbestos testing.

However, if you opt not to have the material tested, assume that it contains asbestos and take all precautionary measures outlined below:

  1. 1

    Leave the contaminated substance alone

    Leave the substance alone if it's not disturbed or expected to be disturbed. Any removal effort increases the likelihood of asbestos being released into the air.

  2. 2

    Encapsulate the affected material

    Properly encapsulate the affected material. Encapsulation prevents asbestos fibers from getting airborne by covering the surface of asbestos-containing objects. Encapsulation works if the substance is in good condition and neither soft nor crumbly. Don't use this method for materials that have already begun to degrade.

  3. 3

    Enclose the asbestos-containing material

    Enclose or cover the asbestos-containing material. Covering means placing something over or around asbestos-containing components, such as a sleeve over asbestos insulation products or a new floor over asbestos-tiled flooring.

  4. 4

    Hire a professional

    Homeowners insurance doesn't cover asbestos removal, but this isn't a DIY job. Leave this task to the specialists. Encapsulation and enclosing asbestos-containing materials should be performed by trained and licensed personnel.

Where to Buy Homeowners Insurance

Many reputable insurance companies, such as State Farm and GEICO, offer homeowners coverage. You can also buy homeowners insurance from smaller insurers such as Lemonade and Hippo. Coverage costs around $175 per month.

However, costs may differ depending on the insurance provider and the number of items you own. So shop around and compare home insurance policies.

To estimate how much coverage you'll need, use MoneyGeek’s personal property calculator below.

Personal Property Coverage Calculator

When figuring out how much renters insurance you need, experts recommend the standard $100,000 in liability insurance and enough personal property protection to cover your possessions. Use MoneyGeek's calculator to estimate the value of your possessions so you know how much personal property coverage to buy.

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Does Homeowners Insurance Pay for Asbestos Removal: Bottom Line

While homeowners insurance generally excludes asbestos removal, exceptions exist when asbestos is disturbed due to a covered peril. To understand your coverage, review your policy and consult your insurer. Always hire licensed professionals for asbestos inspection and abatement for safety and compliance.

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Asbestos Removal and Homeowners Insurance: FAQ

Have questions about how insurance applies to asbestos or what actions to take if it's found in your home? Here are helpful answers to common concerns:

Does homeowners insurance ever cover asbestos removal?

Can I remove asbestos from my home myself?

Is it safe to leave asbestos in place?

How do I know if something in my home contains asbestos?

Why is asbestos excluded from homeowners insurance?

Asbestos Removal Insurance: Our Review Methodology

MoneyGeek analyzed quotes from multiple insurance providers across the U.S. using a profile that reflects the average homeowner. By considering different locations and companies, we provide a reliable estimate of how much homeowners pay and show why they should compare rates.

Homeowner Profile

For our analysis, we created a sample homeowner profile with the following characteristics:

  • Good credit score (769 to 792)
  • Home constructed in 2000
  • Wood-frame construction
  • Composite shingle roof

Homeowners Insurance Coverage Details

Unless otherwise specified, we used the following coverage limits to collect quotes for our comparison:

  • $250,000 in dwelling coverage
  • $125,000 in personal property coverage
  • $200,000 in personal liability coverage
  • $1,000 deductible

We also compiled data for policies with broader coverage to determine the best companies for insuring expensive homes, increasing limits to $1 million in dwelling coverage, $500,000 in personal property coverage and $1 million in liability coverage.

Does Insurance Cover Asbestos Removal: Related Articles

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.


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