Does homeowners insurance cover termite damage?
Homeowners insurance does not cover termite damage because standard policies exclude termite infestations and other pest damage. Homeowners insurance covers damage from covered perils, but it does not pay for routine maintenance or damage caused by an infestation.
“Termites and pests are not typically covered because they (insurance carriers) consider it preventable with proper maintenance and care,” says David Lervig, founder and main instructor at the Insurance School of Texas.
Homeowners insurance doesn't cover maintenance, wear and tear or damage that could have been prevented. It only covers sudden and accidental damage to your home from things like storms, fire, theft and vandalism.
Termite and other pest infestations cause damage that the insurance carrier believes could have been prevented and therefore do not meet the criteria for sudden or accidental. Therefore, this type of damage is one of the most common exclusions in home insurance policies.
When does homeowners insurance cover termite damage?
Termite damage might be covered by your home insurance if a storm or other covered peril is directly to blame. For example, if a storm damaged your siding and pests took up residence as a result, your homeowners policy might cover it.
If too much time goes by, however, the insurance company may chalk it up to neglect and deny your claim.
As a rule of thumb, termite damage is usually not covered. There is no termite insurance to speak of, so prevention and pest control are likely your best options.
How to get insurance to cover termite damage
There is no way to get insurance to cover termite damage because it’s specifically excluded in the policy terms, unless you can prove that the infestation was the direct result of damage from a covered peril. You cannot add standard termite damage coverage to a homeowners policy. Standard homeowners insurance excludes termite and other pest infestations, so you are responsible for termite treatment and repairs.
There are different warranties available for termite treatment at your home. Most do not pay for actual repairs from termite damage – they often only pay for retreatment. Ask your pest control company about “retreat/repair warranties” that cover repairs.
How to prevent termites
You can reduce the risk of termite damage by keeping wood away from the soil, controlling moisture around your foundation, and storing firewood away from your home. Professional termite inspections and treatment also help detect and control infestations before they cause major damage.
Michael Potter, Professor Emeritus of Entomology at the University of Kentucky, reccomends the following tips to prevent termites around your home:
- Eliminate wood in contact with the ground (siding, wood steps, latticework, etc.)
- Do not let moisture accumulate near the foundation.
- Reduce moisture and humidity in crawl spaces.
- Never store firewood or wood debris against foundations or inside crawl spaces.
- Use mulch sparingly, especially if you already have termites or other conducive conditions.
- Consider having the home treated by a professional pest control firm.
He encourages homeowners to learn to identify the telltale signs of termites so they can get treatment immediately.
FAQ: Termites and home insurance
Does homeowners insurance cover termite treatment?
No. Homeowners insurance does not cover termite treatment because standard policies exclude termite infestations and other pest-related damage.
Is carpenter ant damage covered by homeowners insurance?
No. Carpenter ants and other pests like mice are excluded from homeowners insurance coverage.
What should I do if I find termites in my house?
Contact a professional pest control company for an inspection and treatment plan. Document the damage and check your homeowners policy if you are unsure whether another covered loss contributed to the damage.
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