Will Home Insurance Cover Rodent Damage?

A basic home insurance policy is designed to cover you against damages to your home for nearly every cause. Unfortunately, home insurance doesn’t cover against everything. Among the few exclusions that most home insurance policies have, rodent damage is one of them. a mouse lying on the ground

Why is Animal Damage Not Covered by Home Insurance?

Home insurance is primarily geared to protect against unexpected and unpreventable accidents that damage your home or belongings. Most infestations, either by bugs or by rodents, are preventable according to insurance providers.

Infestations should be taken care of by the homeowner as soon as they are noticed. Most infestations are obvious. With rats and mice, you may hear them scratching in the walls or see them. With cockroaches, you will often spot them near food, either in the kitchen or around the garbage.

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to handle an infestation. As soon as you see (or hear or smell) signs of a possible infestation, be sure to call an exterminator or other qualified party to handle it. The same applies if you rent the space you live in. If you rent a house, for example, contact your landlord to let them know about what is going on.

If an infestation grows to cause severe damage to your home, such as rodents eating away at the integrity of your home or chewing through prized possessions, a home insurance claim regarding this incident is likely to be denied—especially if there is proof that you knew of the infestation before the damage occurred.

Animal Damage Not Caused by Infestation

There are some incidents where animals may damage your home without infesting it. If you live near wilderness, this may happen often. A bear could grow curious and scratch at your door, a hapless bird could fly through your window or a raccoon could chew through some wires in the open garage. Accidents happen, and in these cases, your home insurance is likely to cover you.

The line is often blurred between what will be covered and won’t be covered when it comes to animal damage. Home insurance won’t cover damage to your home caused by your own pets, for example.

It is important to create the right safety measures within your home both to protect against damage and save you money in the future. Speak with your insurance agent if you’re not sure about what your policy covers.

No Comments