A guide for Greenville and Pitt County
Who pays for biohazard cleanup?
There is no single answer. It depends on what happened, where, and who owns the property. These are the usual places to ask, in the order most people ask them.
Homeowner's insurance
Many policies cover some sudden, accidental damage inside the home. Call the insurer before work starts. Ask whether this event is covered, whether there is a deductible, and what photos and paperwork they need.
Renter's insurance
A renter's policy covers the tenant's own belongings, not the building. The landlord's insurer is the one to ask about the building.
The landlord
North Carolina landlords must keep rentals fit to live in (G.S. 42-42). Tell the landlord or manager right away; they may arrange the cleanup themselves.
The estate
When the owner has died, the person handling the estate usually decides about the property and its bills. Tell the company who that is.
Business insurance
If it happened at work, call the business insurer before anyone cleans.
Insurance questions
For general help with a homeowner's policy, the NC Department of Insurance's consumer services division is at 855-408-1212 (NCDOI).
North Carolina Crime Victims Compensation
After a crime, the state program run by the Department of Public Safety can help with costs that insurance does not cover. Its list of what may be compensated includes crime scene cleanup, such as door or window locks and cleaning blood from car interiors (NC DPS).
Things to know before you apply: insurance and other sources must be used first, property loss is not covered, and most applications must be filed within two years. For cleanup, the program asks for the itemized bill from the biohazard cleanup company.
You can apply online or by mail. Call (800) 826-6200 with questions, or start at ncdps.gov/4victims. A victim advocate at the police department or the district attorney's office can also help with the forms.
Keep these together
- The police report or case number
- Photos of the damage before work starts
- The written scope of work and price you agreed to
- The itemized bill when the job is done
- Every letter or email from the insurer
When you are ready, one call is enough
Say what happened and where. If the police or the medical examiner are still there, say so; the company will plan around their release. Nothing starts until you agree to it.
Talk to a cleanup company
Call (252) 555-0107Phone answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Calls may be recorded. Read the referral disclosure and the privacy policy.