Does Homeowners' Insurance Cover Biohazard Cleanup?

Name: Bio-One of Marion County
Brand: Bio-One of Marion County
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Most homeowners' insurance policies cover the cleaning and decontamination of biohazard contaminants and damage resulting from a suicide, unattended death, crime, accident, medical emergency, and infectious disease. In addition, the policy likely covers any repairs or replacement of structural elements (flooring, carpet and pad, baseboards, drywall) that must be removed as part of the remediation process. When a claim is first opened, the situation and details must be explained in a manner that helps to ensure coverage. How the situation is explained to the claims representative can impact whether or not you are covered and how much is covered and mitigates delay in cleaning your home or property.

Bio-One Marion County has filed many claims on behalf of its clients. It can help you file a claim with your insurance company, guide you through the process and be your advocate to ensure that your insurance company provides all that you are entitled to based on your policy.

What if You Haven't Found the Homeowner's Insurance Policy?

Bio-One Marion County understands that the policy information is often not readily available or needs to be found inside the home after the cleanup is completed. If a loved one has passed in their home, we can help you find and recover the policy information as part of our cleanup efforts.

It is important not to delay the biohazard remediation and to avoid further damage to your property and emotional well-being. Bio-One Marion County is here to help, and we want you to be physically and emotionally safe; thus, the biohazard cleanup should be done without delay.

The Claim Process

Bio-One Marion County will schedule with you a time and day to inspect and remediate the scene where the death or accident occurred.
Bio-One Marion County will take the necessary photos and measurements to document the scene before, during, and after the biohazard remediation process.
Bio-One Marion County will collect the homeowner's insurance policy information necessary to file a claim on your behalf. We will need the insurance company's name, the insured's name, and the policy number.
Bio-One Marion County will call the insurance company's national claim line and provide detailed information to the claim handler so you don't have to. The claim handler will open a claim and, in most cases, provide us with a claim number and the assigned adjuster's name and contact information. To protect our client's emotional well-being by not having to relive the details of the situation, we ask the adjuster to contact us directly so we can explain the situation in detail and the work that was done and discuss the next steps for any work that still needs to be done to remediate odor, cross contamination or repairs.
Once the adjuster and Bio-One have spoken, the adjuster will contact you to verify the claim, get additional information, if necessary, and then discuss coverage with you.
Once the job is complete, Bio-One will submit the documentation, a properly formatted invoice, a report, and photographs to the adjuster. We inform the adjuster what repairs, if any, must be made to the structure.
The adjuster may call you to schedule an appointment so a field adjuster can visit the property to inspect and take measurements for funding the repair and replacement of covered items and structures.
The insurance company will mail you a check for less than the deductible or send Bio-One Marion County a check directly for our portion of the claim, and we will invoice you for the deductible.

Bio-One Marion County has your best interest in mind when filing a claim and dealing with the assigned adjuster. How the case is presented, and the documents submitted are essential to helping to ensure that the only out-of-pocket expense is deductible.

Please note that most biohazard claims are covered; however, all policies are different, and coverage varies based on the type of policy and named peril exclusions. Deductibles typically vary between $250-$2,500 but could be higher depending on the policy. Not all insurance companies will permit third parties to file a claim on behalf of the insured. In those few cases, we will file the claim alongside you, guide the process for you, and do our best to shield you from reliving the details.

Bio-One of Marion County is a locally owned and operated biohazard and hoarding cleaning company serving Indianapolis and surrounding areas. We specialize in blood, bodily fluid, and feces removal, rodent droppings cleaning, sewage cleanup, hoarding and pet hoarding cleaning, gross filth cleanup, and odor removal services. Helping people who are faced with difficult situations to get their surroundings and lives back in order is our #1 priority.

Bio-One is here to help you 24/7, 365 days a year! Call (317) 499-0614, and you'll speak directly to one of us when you call; there is never an answering service. We'll treat you like a person with the compassion and respect that you deserve.

Blood spills can happen anywhere, whether in a hospital, laboratory, or your home. Regardless of where it happens, cleaning up the spill immediately and correctly is crucial to prevent the spreading of disease and potential health hazards. While it may be tempting to clean up the spill yourself, it's important to understand that blood spill cleanups should only be handled by biohazard companies. This blog discusses why you should leave blood spill cleanups to professionals.

Health Risks

Blood spills can pose a significant health risk, as they can contain bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and other harmful microorganisms. Exposure to these pathogens can result in serious health consequences, including infections, illnesses, and even death. Therefore, it's important to understand the risks and take proper precautions to avoid contact with the contaminated area.

Lack of Proper Equipment

Blood spill cleanup requires specialized equipment to ensure the area is thoroughly disinfected and safe for occupancy. Biohazar d companies have access to professional-grade equipment, including personal protective gear, biohazard bags, and disinfectants. Without proper equipment, cleaning up a blood spill can be dangerous and can result in incomplete or inadequate cleaning.

Proper Disposal

Biohazard companies are trained to dispose of blood and other biohazardous waste properly. They follow strict protocols and adhere to state and federal regulations to ensure that the waste is disposed of safely and in an environmentally-friendly manner. If blood and other biohazardous waste are not disposed of properly, it can result in potential fines and harm to the environment.

Legal Liability

Cleaning up a blood spill yourself can result in potential legal liability if someone else is exposed to the contaminated area. Biohazard companies have insurance to cover any accidents or injuries that may occur during the cleanup process. This means that you won't be held liable for any damages that may result from the cleaning process.

In conclusion, blood spill cleanups should only be handled by biohazard companies due to the potential health risks, lack of proper equipment, proper disposal, and legal liability. If you encounter a blood spill, it's important to contact a biohazard company immediately to ensure that the area is safely and thoroughly disinfected. Remember, your safety and the safety of others is paramount, so don't take any unnecessary risks.

Bio-One of Marion County is a locally owned and operated biohazard and hoarding cleaning company serving Indianapolis and surrounding areas. We specialize in blood, bodily fluid, and feces removal, rodent droppings cleaning, sewage cleanup, hoarding, and pet hoarding cleaning, gross filth cleanup, and odor removal services. Helping people who are faced with difficult situations to get their surroundings and lives back in order is our #1 priority.

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (en español: 1-888-628-9454; deaf and hard of hearing: dial 711, then 1-800-273-8255) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

Girl Upset - Suicide Prevention Resources

According to the American Psychiatric Association, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death (after accidents) for people aged 10 to 34. And according the CDC, published reports from 2020 suggest that the pandemic has had a negative effect on children’s mental health.

“Beginning in April 2020, the proportion of children’s mental health–related ED visits among all pediatric ED visits increased and remained elevated through October. Compared with 2019, the proportion of mental health–related visits for children aged 5–11 and 12–17 years increased approximately 24%. and 31%, respectively.”

Researchers have yet to link recent suicides to the pandemic since 2020 suicide data is not yet available. But on the ground, there's growing concern.

The February 2021 NPR article “Child Psychiatrists Warn That The Pandemic May Be Driving Up Kids' Suicide Risk” explores possible correlation. Takeaways include:

NPR spoke with providers at hospitals in seven states across the country, and all of them reported a similar trend: More suicidal children are coming to their hospitals — in worse mental states.
The number of kids with suicide attempts coming to the emergency room at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, in California, in the fall of 2020 was double the number in the fall of 2019.
At Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, the number of children and teens hospitalized after suicide attempts went up from 67 in 2019 to 108 in 2020. And October 2020 saw a 250% increase in these numbers over the previous October.

For ways to help kids at risk, NPR encourages readers to read Part 2 of their story, “Make Space, Listen, Offer Hope: How To Help A Child At Risk Of Suicide”.

Suicide Prevention Resources

Whether you have struggled with suicide yourself or have lost a loved one, know you are not alone. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has collected real stories from people in whose lives have been impacted by suicide.
The American Association of Suicidology offers a national directory for support groups for both attempt and loss survivors of suicide.
The SAVE organization (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) has a variety of help guides including restricting access to lethal means, warning signs of suicide, and suicide prevention.

Survivors of Suicide – What to Do Next

The loss of a loved one by suicide can be a deeply painful and traumatizing experience; however, it’s important to know that everyone experiences suicide loss in their own way. As you begin the process of healing, consider reading the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s guide for to talk to others about what happened and identify ways to take care of yourself.

Additionally, if you have lost someone to suicide, there may be a cleanup required. There is no need for family or friends of the loved one to be further traumatized or overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to clean the impacted area. Bio-One is here for you. Learn more about Bio-One’s suicide remediation services.