Does home insurance cover pest control?
Discovering pests in your homes, such as mice and rats, might be annoying and even disgusting. One question we hear a lot is, does home insurance cover pest control? The short answer is no.
The fact is that more Canadians are dealing with pest issues since the pandemic started. The government-mandated limitations and shutdowns have led to a rodent problem in many large cities. With restaurants and other foodservice businesses running at reduced capacity, there is less food waste behind buildings where rodents often live and eat.
Rodents have had to look for food elsewhere because there is now less food waste. To this add a decrease in foot and vehicle traffic, which has boosted the rodent population without interruption. The epidemic has resulted in a 50 percent boost in business for pest control companies such as Sunrise Mountain Pest Control.
Rodents, such as mice and rats, can wreak havoc on a house. They’re chewing through cables, disrupting pipes, and causing floods. Infestations may necessitate fumigation or even rebuilding rooms where pests have been breeding.
If this happens to you, does home insurance cover pest control?
Will home insurance cover pest control?
Because pest control is considered standard maintenance, does home insurance cover pest control? Most home insurance won’t cover it. Your home insurance does not cover the typical wear and tear of your house, just as it doesn’t cover pests infesting it. Hire an exterminator if you detect droppings from mice or rats or gnaw marks on trash cans. Because pests may do significant harm to your property in a variety of ways if left for too long, hiring a professional is essential.
Rats may gnaw through an electrical cord and start a fire, or carpenter ants can get into wood frame construction and cause structural damage. Fire and structural damage from unforeseen circumstances are typically covered by insurance.
If your insurance firm concludes that the origin of the fire or crumbling structure was due to carelessness, they could reject your claim. Does home insurance cover pest control? The short answer is, probably not.
Does homeowners insurance cover animal infestation damage?
In general, homeowners insurance does not cover damage caused by rodents and insects. Some examples include:
- bedbugs
- squirrels
- raccoons
- groundhogs
- carpenter ants
- rats
- mice
Homeowner’s insurance does not cover damage from rodents, insects, or vermin. You wouldn’t need to file an insurance claim if you used an exterminator or pest control professional.
Does house insurance cover pet damage?
No, your pet’s mischief does not come under homeowners insurance coverage. We came across an article about a cat that accidentally turned on a faucet while the sink strainer was in the off position. By the time the homeowners arrived, water had damaged the floor of their kitchen. Their claim was rejected.
However, liability insurance can help cover the costs of your pet’s injuries against another person or their property. Since legally your dog is considered your property, you are responsible for any damage or injury they inflict.
Conclusion
Does home insurance cover pest control? Probably not, that is why you want to make sure that you work with a team of professionals, like Sunrise Mountain Pest Control. Give us a call today to learn more about our services.