When Your Homeowners' Insurer Is Likely To Cover Pest Related Damage

In general, standard homeowners' insurance doesn't pay for pest damage. Insurers consider pest damage a maintenance issue, and insurance is meant to pay for accidental damages and not those caused by a homeowner's lack of maintenance. But there may be some exceptions. Here are some things to know.

Pest Damage Occasioned By a Covered Loss

Your insurer is likely to compensate you for your pest damage if it is directly caused by an insured risk. A good example is if a storm blows a hole in one of your walls, allowing squirrels to get in and cause damage before you can repair the wall. Since homeowners insurance usually covers storm damages, and it is the storm that allowed the squirrels into the house, you are likely to be compensated for both the damaged wall and the squirrel damage.

However, don't expect any compensation for pest damage if the storm damages your wall, but the offending animals were already in the house. Compensation won't be forthcoming either if an insured risk causes damage but the pests get into the house via another route. In short, only expect your claim to be settled if the pest damage wouldn't have occurred without the insured risk.

Sudden Pest Damage

Pest damages aren't usually covered because they are gradual, which is what makes them maintenance issues. However, there are also occasions where pest damage may be sudden and unexpected. Such damages aren't foreseeable, which means maintenance wouldn't have prevented them, and your insurer is likely to settle the ensuing claim.

Consider the example of gophers, which are known for causing severe damage to electricity, water, and gas lines. Your homeowners' insurance may compensate you if a gopher gnaws your electricity line and causes an electrical fire. However, you shouldn't expect compensation if a gopher gnaws a water pipe and causes a small leak that damages your house after several months.

Collateral Damage from Hidden Infestation

Lastly, pest damage may also be covered if it was hidden from you. For example, you may be compensated if termites excavate the wood beams supporting your roof, which leads to a roof collapse. Coverage is even more likely if you have been carrying out the relevant maintenance practices for keeping pests away, including inspections, but didn't unearth any damage. However, only the collateral damage caused by the collapsing roof is covered, but not the exact beams damaged by the termites.

It is good to maintain your house and prevent pest infestation, but don't always assume pest damage isn't covered. Talk to your insurer agent to discuss your damages and see if you can or should file a claim.