Does Homeowners' Insurance Cover Pest Damage?

​Pests like bed bugs, termites, and rodents can cause structural and personal property damage in your home. Some pests can transmit diseases, and others, such as rodents, can bite down through electric wires.

When it comes to pest infestations and the resulting property damage, homeowners insurance policies can be complicated. Most insurance companies do not cover pest removal or serious harm caused by pests.

How Pest Damage Affects Property Owner's Insurance
When pests infiltrate a household, it happens slowly over months or years. With routine inspections and maintenance, a homeowner can detect a pest infestation early and have it taken care of or prevent a problem entirely. 

If pests cause damage to your home, your homeowner's insurance company will most likely deny your claim because you could have avoided the problem or been forced to deal with it before it became more serious.

Avoidable Harm
Preventable damage is defined as damage that homeowners can avoid if they have taken reasonable precautions. One important aspect of preventive damages is that they usually change from time to time. 

Homeowners can predict the risk of pest damage and take action to prevent it. Check your policy plans or speak with an agent from your homeowner's insurance company to confirm the exceptions.

Unpredicted Damage
Unexpected damage is defined as damage that could not have been avoided by a homeowner that was able to perform reasonable maintenance. Storm damage generally falls into this category. 

For instance, if a storm surge enables pests to access your home and cause harm, you may be covered. However, things can become complicated when preventable pest infestations are combined with other unanticipated damages.

Pest Infestations That Are Common
Common infestations that pose a threat to your home will vary greatly depending on where you live, the materials used in your home, how it was built, and how the landscape around it is maintained.    

Several pests have become such a widespread and consistent nuisance that they have earned a spot.

1. Cockroaches 
   These pests do not cause internal damage. They are frequently an indicator of unsanitary conditions. 
   
   They can contaminate food, and nearly one in every five children is allergic to cockroach allergens, which can end up causing asthma-like symptoms. 
   
   
2. Rats and Mice 
   These pests infest an estimated 21 million homes in the United States each year, especially during the winter when they seek shelter and food. 
   
   When they are inside your home, you should be concerned about more than just the damage to property they can cause; they are also known disease carriers.
   
   
3. Termites 
   They are silent destroyers, these pests cause more than $5 billion in damage to property each year, and the worst part is, you're never aware of it.

Conclusions:
Homeowners insurance can be a wise investment for you. But it may not cover all types of risks, and it can be a valuable method of protecting you from financial loss in a major event, such as a fire.

At UG Insurance Brokerage Inc., we aim to provide comprehensive insurance policies that make your life easier. We want to help you get the insurance that fits your needs. You can get more information about our products and services by calling our agency at (718) 848-7777. Get your free quote today by CLICKING HERE. Any coverage discussed is not guaranteed. Please contact us today to go over your policy to ensure your needs are met! We are here and happy to help.