A home is often the single most valuable asset a person owns; taking care of it is extremely important for most people. However, those who are remiss in their inspection duties and suffer termite damage as a result may find that their homeowners' policies do not cover the damage. So, is termite damage covered by homeowners insurance or not, and why? Let’s take a look:
- Usually Not – If you have been wondering if termite damage is covered by homeowners insurance, the answer in most cases is no, for one simple reason; insurance companies consider termite damage to ultimately be preventable with good maintenance and inspection practices. Carefully review your policy, but the rule of thumb is that the average policy will not provide protection from termite damage.
- Collateral/Residual Damage Possibly – There is one particular type of damage that may still be covered; if you’re wondering if termite damage is covered by homeowners insurance you will need to find out whether the damage was caused by a compromised support beam or some other problem associated with but not directly because of termite infestation. Policies will in most cases cover this damage, but they will not pay for whatever original support was infested with termites that caused the issue in the first place.
- Consider a Termite Bond/Rider – Those wondering what their options are since they now know the answer to the question is termite damage covered by homeowners insurance is ‘No’ should consider a termite bond or rider. This is a special, supplemental insurance arrangement offered by a pest control company. You agree to have them inspect and treat your property regularly, and if you develop an infestation despite their care, they will typically pay for all associated costs.
So: is termite damage covered by homeowners insurance? The answer is usually no, but this doesn’t mean you are out of options. For most homeowners, either regularly get termite inspections from a qualified pest control company, or consider the purchase of a termite bond if you want a more hands-free approach that does not rely on you remembering to schedule your own regular inspections. Either way, you can be significantly more protected from potential financial harm due to termite infestation.