Taylor HoltBuying a house is a huge financial investment that needs to be protected carefully. When something bad happens, like a fire or flood, homeowners insurance helps pay for fixes. But, does home insurance cover damage caused by termites?
We’ll talk in more detail about whether or not termite damage is covered by renters insurance, why it is, and what else you can do to protect your home from these pests.
Does home insurance cover harm caused by termites?
Most of the time, your homeowner’s insurance won’t pay for termite damage. Standard homeowner’s insurance plans cover damage from things like fire, lightning, hail, and hurricanes, among other things. Many standard homeowners insurance plans require policyholders to buy different policies to cover disasters like earthquakes and floods, since the risks can vary depending on where the home is and how it is built.
A homeowner’s insurance coverage might cover the cost of fixing damage caused by termites. This, however, only happens if a covered event, like a fire, also damages the house.
Why does normal home insurance not cover damage caused by termites?
Most insurance plans cover the costs of sudden, unexpected disasters that are either unavoidable or not done on purpose. The homeowner’s actions did not change coverage for damage to the home caused by a “covered peril” or “act of God,” like lightning. Most insurers, on the other hand, think that damage from termites can be stopped.
A termite colony can take up to five years to grow up and start making the swarmers that will come into your home and damage it. Because termites can be found and gotten rid of before they do a lot of damage to a home, insurance companies consider it the homeowner’s job to keep them away.
How to Tell if You Have Termites
The easiest way to stop expensive damage to your home is to keep a close eye out for signs of pests. Even though most termites in the United States live underground, it is easy to see the damage they do.
When termites leave their underground nest to check out your house, they may leave mud tubes around the base or chew holes in any exposed wood. Termites have been known to swarm and land on window sills and other parts of the house, where they may shed their wings. If the wood is damaged, cracked, or hollow, it’s likely that termites are already in the house.
Do regular perimeter checks of your home to stop termites from doing more damage.
What to Do If You Think You Have Termites
You should call a pest control company right away to plan an inspection if you find termites or signs of termite damage. Preventing expensive home damage requires prompt discovery.
Professionals from https://www.jerseycityexterminators.com/ can check your home for termite damage and put up a barrier to keep more termites out for a fraction of the cost of fixing termite damage.
