Guide
Who pays for biohazard cleanup?
There is no single answer. It depends on what happened, where, and which policies apply. This page explains the usual options in general terms and who to ask. This site doesn't handle insurance claims.
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Insurance
Homeowners insurance
Some homeowners policies pay for biohazard cleanup and for replacing what had to be removed, especially after a sudden event such as a crime or an accident. Others limit or exclude it. Coverage after an unattended death varies a great deal.
Call your agent or insurer before work begins. Ask whether cleanup is covered, whether removal and replacement of flooring and drywall is covered, whether the insurer wants to inspect first, and what documentation it needs. Keep every invoice and photo.
Renting
Renters, landlords and property managers
Renters insurance usually protects the tenant's belongings and liability, not the building. The building, including its flooring and walls, belongs to the owner.
In South Carolina, a landlord has to make the repairs needed to keep a rental fit and habitable (S.C. Code 27-40-440). In practice the owner usually arranges biohazard cleanup in a rental and then looks to its own insurance. The lease and the circumstances can change who ends up paying. See the guide for landlords.
Estates
When the person who died owned the home
The home and its contents usually become part of the estate. Cleanup is often arranged by the family member handling the estate and paid from it, or from the homeowners policy. If you are unsure who has the authority to sign for work, ask a probate attorney or the probate court before signing.
South Carolina
Crime victim compensation
Not for cleanup
The Department of Crime Victim Compensation lists crime scene clean-up among the costs it cannot pay, along with property damage and replacement.
Other help
For eligible victims and families, it can help with medical and dental care, counseling, lost wages or loss of support, and funeral and burial costs.
Who can apply
Victims, immediate family members or their legal representatives. An application on the direct victim comes first.
Contact
803-734-1900, or 1-800-220-5370 for crime victims. Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 5:00.
Other cases
Businesses and vehicles
A business usually starts with its commercial property insurer. For a vehicle, ask the auto insurer; whether interior cleanup or replacement parts are covered depends on the policy and what happened.
Price
What the price depends on
This site publishes no prices, because every job is different. The cleanup company prices it after it knows the details. These are the things that move the number:
- How large the affected area is, and how many rooms
- Whether fluids reached carpet pad, subfloor, drywall or framing, which then has to come out
- How much time has passed, and whether the heating or cooling system was running
- How much furniture and how many belongings are affected
- How much sealed waste has to be packed and taken away
- Access: stairs, narrow halls, a crawl space or a vehicle
Questions
Paying for cleanup
Does South Carolina's victim compensation pay for crime scene cleanup?
No. The Department of Crime Victim Compensation lists crime scene clean-up among the costs it cannot pay (FAQ). It may help eligible victims with other costs.
Does homeowners insurance cover biohazard cleanup?
Some policies do, some don't, and it often depends on what happened. Ask your agent or insurer before work begins.
Why is there no price on this site?
Because every job is different. The price depends on the area affected, the materials involved, how much time has passed and how much has to be removed.
When you are ready
One call, and someone else takes this on
You don't have to clean this yourself, and you don't have to decide everything today. A short call is enough to ask questions and hear what the work would involve.
Talk to a cleanup company
The line puts you through to an independent biohazard cleanup company working in your ZIP code. Tell them what happened and where. You decide whether to hire them.
Call (843) 555-0162Calls answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
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