Home Owners Insurance and Animal Damage

How does homeowners insurance cover animal damage?

The home insurance policy may cover the wildlife damage. But to be sure, you can check your policy's dwelling coverage and "other structures" coverage to see if they include coverage for wildlife damage. Your home and any permanent additions, like a garage, are safeguarded by dwelling coverage. Your fence or shed, for example, will need special coverage to avoid being destroyed by the elements.

How does home insurance handle personal property damage caused by wild animals?

Wild animals may be covered by homeowners insurance for repairs, but your personal belongings will not be. That bats may be covered by your insurance for the insulation damage they cause, but their droppings will not be covered if they fall on your stored furniture.

1. Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Damage By Small Animals?

Your homeowner's insurance policy likely won't pay for repairs caused by smaller pests like squirrels and rodents because such infestations are generally preventable. In most cases, only the building itself will be insured against wild animal attacks.

2. Does home insurance cover damage by household pets?

The majority of households have at least one dog or cat, and these animals can be destructive, especially when they are young. Your homeowner's insurance policy likely won't pay to repair any damage your pet causes to your home, whether it's a chewed-up personal property like furniture, carpet, and clothes or the structure itself, like scratched walls and doors.

However, if your pet causes damage, your personal liability insurance will pay for it. It's possible that you'll be responsible for the medical expenses of a non-family member who is bitten by your pet. It may also include payment for legal representation and costs if they decide to sue you. Remember that some pet breeds may be specifically excluded from coverage, so it's important to review your homeowner's insurance policy thoroughly. Owning a pet can expose you to additional risks, so investing in a personal umbrella policy is a good idea.

3. How does homeowners insurance handle dog bites?

If your pet causes damage to your property, your insurance may help pay for repairs. It differs from case to case.

For instance, your homeowner's liability insurance will kick in if your dog bites someone while you're out for a walk (assuming your dog is not a restricted breed animal). As a result, you won't have to worry about paying for your pet's medical care or any legal defense costs should he or she cause someone harm.

4. Are insect infestations covered by homeowners insurance policies?

A pest infestation, especially of cockroaches, bedbugs, or termites, is one of the terrifying things that can happen to a homeowner. Infestations from various rodents can cause extensive damage, so insurance against them depends entirely on the specifics of that damage. The burden of dealing with an insect infestation is typically placed on the property owner.

5. Does homeowners insurance cover bed bugs?

Although structural damage from bedbug infestations is unlikely, the cost to your belongings can be substantial. Having bedbugs in your home is usually not covered by homeowner's insurance. An issue with bedbugs is typically categorized as one of "upkeep" or "maintenance." Since heat treatment is one way to get rid of bedbugs, removing heat-sensitive items can lessen the likelihood of accidental property damage that is not covered by homeowners insurance.

Exterminating bedbugs can cost anywhere from $1,100 to $2,600 on average.

Tips to reduce bed bug infestation

• Clean everything that can be cleaned and dried in a high-temperature cycle.
• Vacuum clean furniture, rugs, and curtains.
• Furniture with a high level of infestation may need to be discarded.

6. Does homeowners insurance cover termite damage?

Like that caused by carpenter ants, termite damage is typically not covered by homeowners' policies. You may be eligible for coverage for the dwelling and personal belongings damaged if the damage caused by termites is not visible in the home and you only notice when there is a structural collapse.

Termite treatment costs can range from $250 to $2,600, with the actual amount based on factors like the size of your home, the extent of the infestation, and the method chosen.

Tips to prevent termite damage

• Replace any shingles that are damaged or rotten.
• Fix all the broken appliances like air conditioners, faucets, and pipes.
• Eliminate excess moisture by channeling rainwater away from your home with gutters and downspouts.
• Wooden parts of your home should be kept free of mulch and soil.
• Keep firewood away from your house and in an elevated location.
• It's important to check the house's windows, doors, and foundation on a regular basis.
• Pest control inspections should be scheduled once a year.

7. Does homeowners insurance cover squirrel damage?

Homeowners' insurance typically won't pay for repairs caused by squirrels because the damage can be avoided. Squirrels are notorious for moving into attics and wreaking havoc by gnawing their way through wooden support beams, insulation, and even electrical wiring.

Tips to prevent damage from squirrels

• Remove any branches that could potentially fall on your roof.
• Chimney dampers, attic vents, and exhaust fan openings should all be sealed.
• Take away any feeders or bird baths in your yard to discourage wildlife from settling there.

8. Is rodent damage covered?

Most homeowners' insurance policies won't pay to fix problems caused by rodent infestations like mice and rats. Your insurer sees the damage as preventable. So they expect you to take necessary steps to eliminate infestations before they cause further damage to the home. Because, like squirrels, these little critters take up residence and gradually grow in number over a long period of time.

Example: You find mouse droppings in a dark corner of your basement, but you decide it's not financially feasible to hire a professional exterminator because there are only a few of them. After waiting a few months, you examine your home and find that the mice have multiplied, created a nest within the walls, and are now gnawing their way through the base of the structure.

Your homeowner's policy will not cover your home's mouse problem, so you'll have to pay for extermination, cleaning, and repairs yourself.

Ways to keep unnecessary rodents out of your home:

• Put all pet food and trash in airtight or sealed containers.
• Close any cracks or openings in your home's basement or crawl space.
• Seal the bottom gaps of all exterior doors with door sweeps.
• Use repellents and humane traps

9. What about raccoon damage, is it covered?

Animal damage, such as that caused by raccoons, is typically not covered by homeowner's insurance policies. This includes both structural and personal property damage. Skunk and opossum damage, along with that caused by other pest animals, is typically not covered by insurance policies.

10. Is woodpecker damage covered by insurance?

Homeowners' insurance typically does not pay for repairs caused by woodpeckers because the damage can be avoided. An infestation of woodpeckers is indicated by the presence of cone-shaped holes in your siding or near your roofline. You should fix the damage to prevent further problems, but you should also find a way to discourage the woodpecker from returning.

Steps to keep woodpeckers away:
You can prevent birds from causing damage to your home by using ultrasonic devices.

Put colorful Mylar tape around the roof's eaves and downspouts.

Patch up any openings in your roof or siding.

If the woodpecker keeps coming back, contact a pest control specialist to deal with it.

11. Does home insurance cover bat removal?

If there are bats in your attic, it is imperative that you have a professional come and safely remove them. This is not something your insurance will cover, and you'll also have to pay to have it cleaned up.

Tips to prevent bat infestations

Check out these entry points and close them

• Scattered roof damage
• windows that are either cracked open or not closed at all
• air ducts without covers
• missing caps on chimneys
• Shutters
• Gaps in frames
• External door gaps

12. Bee removal

Costs associated with bee removal or repair work caused by bees are typically not covered by standard homeowner's policies. Any pest infestation has the potential to be covered by your insurance if the underlying cause is a covered peril.

Because they are considered maintenance issues, pest infestations are typically not covered by homeowners' insurance.

When you have a bee infestation

• Consider using a bee repellent spray and calling an exterminator or removal expert if the issue persists.
• Don't try to remove, knock down, or spray a bee nest on your own.
• Contact a bee relocation specialist or a beekeeper

Tips to prevent a bee infestation

• Seal all openings, whether they be windows, cracks, or holes.
• Don't let your yard get cluttered.
• Reduce indoor humidity levels.
• Put moth balls in places where insects congregate, like a deck.
• Don't keep food out in the open for long periods of time.

Does insurance cover animal damage to cars?

Even if your car is parked safely in the driveway, it is not safe from wild animals. In the event of animal-related property damage, homeowners insurance will not pay for repairs. However, you may be reimbursed for the costs if you have comprehensive coverage included in your car insurance policy. A full coverage policy can help protect your vehicle in the event of wildlife damage, such as if you hit a deer while driving or if rodents chew through the wiring in your engine.

How to keep wild animal damage to a minimum

There are multiple tips to reduce wild animal damage:

• Use barriers to stop wildlife from eating your garden or wandering into your home
• Screened-in areas and windows should be locked and sealed.
• Seal all openings, including those near chimneys and doors.
• Identify the wildlife
• Protect your most valuable possessions by giving them priority
• Do not leave food outside and use trash cans.
• Bird feeders should be kept at a safe distance from your home.
• Use natural repellants
• Check for signs of faulty construction.
• Put smart doggy doors that keep other animals out.

Does A Homeowners Insurance Policy Exclude Certain Types Of Animal Damage?

In most cases, personal property damaged by a wild animal will not be covered by a homeowner's insurance policy, even if the animal's actions directly caused damage to the house or other structures on the property.

For instance, if a raccoon were to cause damage to your garage, your homeowner's insurance might help pay to fix the garage itself, but it probably wouldn't cover any personal property stored there. If the raccoon chews through the drywall, your homeowner's insurance may help cover the cost of repairs, but it probably won't cover the cost of fixing or replacing your lawn mower if it chews through the wiring.

Homeowners insurance and animal damage: Summary

Depending on the species of animal that caused the damage, your homeowner's insurance policy may be able to help pay for at least some of the necessary repairs. As a first option, consider getting home insurance (also known as dwelling insurance). If your home or any attached structures, like a garage, deck, or porch, are damaged and fall under the policy's coverage, the insurance company will help pay to rebuild or repair them. Other structures coverage may also help you pay for repairs to a detached garage, fence, or shed on your property if they sustain damage independent of your primary dwelling.

How to file a claim for wildlife damage with way.com?

Animal coverage is standard in homeowner's insurance policies. In any case, do you have a policy covering your house? Where else can one find reasonably priced homeowner's insurance? Here's where Way.com comes in handy!

Worry not if a wild animal damages your property; damages are covered most of the time. Use our website or app to get quotes from the best insurers in your area. Compare the quotes and buy a policy with the most affordable rate.

Need assistance with filing a claim? You can do this by using our website or contacting our local home insurance agents. They will help you understand the most complex home insurance terms, rules, discounts, and coverages. Also, they will take you through the process of filing a claim quickly!