Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Rodent Damage?

Rodents like mice, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks can cause extensive damage to your home. Their sharp teeth can chew through drywall, wiring, wood, and more. So what happens if these pesky creatures invade your dwelling and leave behind a trail of destruction? Does your homeowners insurance policy cover the damage?

Unfortunately in most cases the answer is no. Standard homeowners insurance policies typically exclude rodent damage as a covered peril. But why is that? And are there any scenarios where rodent damage might be covered after all? Let’s take a closer look.

Why Rodent Damage Is Usually Excluded

Home insurance companies consider rodent infestations to be a “preventable” loss In other words, they see it as something that could have been avoided with proper home maintenance and preventative measures

Some examples of preventative measures include:

• Sealing up any exterior holes, gaps or entry points, no matter how small Rodents can squeeze into spaces as narrow as 1/4 inch.

• Setting traps or using baits/repellents.

• Storing food in sealed metal or glass containers.

• Regularly inspecting the home for signs of chew marks, droppings, etc.

• Calling an exterminator at the first sign of an infestation.

So in essence, insurance companies don’t cover rodent damage because they feel it results from negligence on the part of the homeowner. They view it similarly to termite damage or mold growth, other “preventable losses” that standard policies also exclude.

When Rodent Damage Might Be Covered

While rodent damage is not a named peril in homeowners insurance, there are some scenarios where you might be able to file a successful claim:

If the rodent damage leads to a covered loss. For example, say mice chew through electrical wiring and spark a fire. The fire damage would likely be covered, even though the rodents were the root cause.

If the damage is from a non-infestation. An isolated incident of an outdoor rodent nibbling on siding would have a better claim potential than a full-blown indoor infestation.

If your policy has special endorsements. Some insurers offer add-on coverage options for rodents or vermin. This usually comes with an extra premium but expands your protection.

If the damage is from a non-rodent critter. Squirrels and raccoons sometimes get lumped together with rats/mice. But if they break into your attic and cause damage, claims have a higher chance of approval.

As with any claim, a lot depends on your specific policy terms, so talk to your agent. But in most standard policies, rodent damage falls into the exclusions.

Just How Much Damage Can Rodents Do?

Rodents may be small, but they can cause big damage. Here are some examples of what these pesky critters are capable of:

• Chewing through drywall and insulation

• Damaging floors/carpets by urinating or nesting

• Gnawing on wood furniture, trim or beams

• Shredding upholstered furniture for nesting material

• Contaminating food with urine/feces

• Chewing electrical wires and causing fire hazard

• Burrowing and causing structural foundation damage

• Spreading illnesses through urine and feces

• Chewing holes in plastic pipes and causing water damage

Rodent damage often adds up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs. And that doesn’t even factor in the costs for professional extermination if the infestation is severe. Getting rid of rats or mice typically runs $200 to $400 on average.

Tips To Avoid Rodent Damage

While rodent damage isn’t covered by insurance, here are some tips to help avoid it in the first place:

• Seal all possible entry points into the home, no matter how small. Use steel wool, concrete, hardware cloth, or metal kick plates.

• Install door sweeps/seals on exterior doors and repair holes in window screens.

• Keep grass cut short and trim back vegetation/debris near the foundation.

• Ensure crawl spaces are properly ventilated and free of clutter.

• Get rid of potential nesting sites like woodpiles stacked near the home.

• Store pet food in sealed metal or glass containers rather than bags.

• Clean up any crumbs or spills as soon as they occur.

• Take the trash out frequently and use rodent-proof garbage cans.

• Inspect the home’s interior and exterior regularly for any signs of rodent activity.

• Set traps or use baits at the very first sign of mice/rats.

• Address small problems right away before they become infestations.

With some diligence, you can help avoid the destructive damage rodents can inflict on your home. And prevent the headache of having to pay for repairs out of pocket because insurance won’t cover it!

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of damage are covered by homeowners insurance?

Standard homeowners insurance covers damage from certain named perils like fire, lightning, windstorms, and vandalism. Some policies also include broader coverage for events like smoke damage, falling objects, and theft. Each policy is different, so check yours for details.

If a rodent chews through pipes and causes a leak, would the water damage be covered?

Yes, you’d have a good chance of getting the resulting water damage covered. This is because burst pipes and water leaks are common covered causes of loss. Just be sure to make it clear the rodent caused the actual pipe damage.

What if a rat sparked an electrical fire in my home, would insurance cover that?

Most likely yes. Fires stemming from electrical wiring issues are typically covered losses. The fact that a rodent chewed the wires first probably wouldn’t negate the coverage for the resulting fire damage.

Does homeowners insurance cover extermination costs if I get rats in my house?

Unfortunately no. Insurance is designed to repair physical damage, not cover pest control services. Getting rid of the rats would be at your own expense unless you have a separate pest control rider.

What should I do if rodents invade my home?

Don’t wait – contact a licensed exterminator right away if you see signs of rats or mice. The sooner you get professional help, the less likely it is they’ll have time to cause major damage. You may also want to contact your insurance agent to ask about any coverage options.