Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Pest Infestations?

Homeowner's insurance policies can be complicated regarding pest infestations and the resulting property damage. However, insurance companies typically do not cover the removal of pests or the damage they cause.

When it comes to pests, many people have questions about insurance; "does homeowner's insurance cover rodent damage?" Does homeowner's insurance cover bed bugs?" Most likely, the answer to these questions will be "no."

According to insurance companies, most pest infestations result from improper maintenance. The thought process is that infestations would not have occurred if the homeowner had taken proper care of the property. Both preventable and unexpected damage plays a significant role in determining whether or not pest damage is covered by insurance.

Preventable Damage

Damage that could have been avoided if the homeowner had taken reasonable precautions is referred to as preventable damage. A key characteristic of preventative damages is that they typically develop gradually. This may result from a tree root invading your home's foundation or a termite infestation. It is assumed that homeowners can anticipate the risk of pest damage and take measures to prevent it.

This is the insurance industry's standard position when denying coverage, but there are instances where preventable damage is covered. Check your policy's specifics or contact your homeowner's insurance agent to confirm the exclusions.

Unanticipated Damage

A homeowner's reasonable maintenance practices could not have prevented unanticipated damage. Typically, storm damage falls into this category. For instance, if storm damage allows insects to enter your home and cause damage, this may be covered. However, complications can arise when preventable pest infestations combine with other unforeseen damages.

Most policies do not cover damage caused by a rodent infestation in your woodpile, which is adjacent to your walls. However, if they chew through an electrical wire and start a fire, the resulting fire damage may be considered unexpected. In this scenario, your insurance provider may only cover fire-related damages.

Frequent Infestations by Pests

Where you live, the materials of your home, how it was constructed, and how the surrounding area is maintained will significantly impact the types of common pests that could threaten your home. Nevertheless, a few pests have become such a pervasive and persistent nuisance that they have earned a spot on this list.

Mice and rats infest an estimated 21 million U.S. homes annually, especially during the winter when they begin searching for shelter and food. Once inside your home, you should be concerned about more than just the property damage they can cause; they are known disease carriers. Pestilence, anyone? Also, up to 25 percent of house fires are allegedly caused by rodents, but luckily, this is covered by your home insurance.

Termites, also called "silent destroyers," cause more than $5 billion in property damage annually, and you have no idea it's happening. Are termites included in homeowner's insurance coverage? As you may have assumed, the answer is normally "no." Therefore, prevention is essential for these pests, which requires reducing water and humidity around your home and maintaining air gaps between wood and soil.

Although cockroaches do not cause structural damage, they frequently indicate unsanitary conditions. In addition to contaminating food, cockroach allergens can cause asthma-like symptoms in nearly one in five children. As infestations are more prevalent on a larger scale, children living in low-income housing are especially susceptible to this.

Unfortunately, most homeowners' insurance policies do not cover pest infestations and the damages they cause. Specifically, preventable damage is typically the homeowner's responsibility, even in the case of a vacant home. Damages that cannot be prevented through routine maintenance may be covered, even if caused by a pest infestation.

Pest infestations, from rats and mice to cockroaches and termites, can be an inconvenient and costly problem. Since these damages are rarely covered by insurance, it is prudent to prevent them. Maintain a clean, dry, sealed home and a well-kept, well-drained yard.