Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Animal Damage?

Damage caused by "birds, rats, rodents, or insects" is specifically excluded from conventional home insurance policy coverage. In other words, you won't be reimbursed for the cost of exterminating the pigeons or rats that move into your attic or fixing the damage done by the raccoons.

However, suppose the animal damage is an isolated incident, such as a grizzly bear bursting into and wrecking your home. In that case, your insurer may be more understanding and pay for the repairs. When it comes to insurance claims, larger wild animals are more likely to be covered than tiny ones that could be deemed pests.

Infestations and damage caused by wild animals may also be covered under your policy if the proximate cause of the infestation is one of the insured perils. For example, suppose a storm knocks down a tree on your roof and a wild animal uses it as a foothold to gain entry to your home. In that case, the damage it causes could be compensated for by your homeowner's insurance. Although these are all possibilities, the specifics of your coverage in the event of animal damage will differ depending on your insurance.

Problems With Vermin

Because of the exclusion of rodent and vermin damage and removal from homeowner's policies, all costs associated with dealing with a rat or mouse infestation would be entirely out of pocket.

The insurance company might help pay for repairs if a hidden infestation causes structural damage or an electrical fire, but only if you can establish you had no prior knowledge of the infestation.

Rattlesnake and Squirrel Destruction

Damage caused by raccoons and squirrels is probably not covered by homeowners insurance, despite the fact that these animals are truly wild and do not invade people's homes nearly as often as rodents and other pests. Like other small mammals like possums and groundhogs, Raccoons are typically viewed as a nuisance by insurance companies.

Pest Control: Bat Extermination

The text of your policy will determine whether or not bat damage and removal are covered. However, many insurance companies consider bats to be pests and therefore exclude such costs from coverage.

Depending on the specifics of the loss, homeowners insurance may provide compensation for damage to a home caused by an animal.