Does Home Insurance Cover Termite Damage?

Home insurance can cover you for a number of events, but does home insurance cover termite damage? Despite the damage a major termite infestation can bring to your home, most insurers won’t cover you for it. Why? Read on to find out more or speak to our expert pest control team.

So, does home insurance cover termite damage?

Nope! Termite damage isn’t covered by home insurance because insurers view insect damage as a ‘preventable’ problem. As a homeowner, termite management  is your responsibility for your home – including termite inspections or treatments. So, if you have termite damage in your home, such as a ,damaged structural timbers in the roof void or termite damaged floor joist under your floor  your home insurance will not cover the costs for any repairs.

What should you do if your home insurance doesn’t cover termite damage?

In most situations, you cannot file a claim on your home insurance for termite damage. When this happens, these are steps to follow:

• Treat the termites regardless of the damage. You can call a pest specialist to handle the active infestation and stop further damage from taking place.
• If the damage is extensive, please engage a contractor to either replace the wood or add support to the affected wood.
• Put in place preventive measures such as termite barriers and schedule annual inspections.

How to repair termite damage

After getting rid of the termites, You should consult a builder and structural engineer to assess the extent of the damage. Do not attempt to repair the damage yourself as it could have become a safety issue as the timbers dry out and collapse .

How to prevent termite damage

There are several ways you can protect your home from termites. Here are a few of them:

• Have a Termite management system installed by Pest Aid
• Look out for leaks and keep your property dry, especially in the air conditioner and the roof.
• Clean your pipes and gutters to prevent termites from settling in as they love dark and moist places.
• Seal any cracks in the foundation, windows, and doors.
• Do not place soil or mulch next to your house.
• Repair any rotting wood or shingle around your home.
• Keep firewood and vegetation away from your home.
• Set baits.
• Inspect your home for any signs of water damage.
• Get regular termite inspections by a professional pest control company.

Signs of termites

As a homeowner, you should also be aware of all the signs of termites:

• Peeling paint similar to water damage
• Small holes mud spots or discolouration of your drywall
• Damaged or crumbling wood
• Stuck doors and windows
• Discarded wings that resemble fish scales
• Squeaky floorboards
• Hollow wood when tapped
• Unusual patterns on walls, floorboards, and furniture
• Buckling floorboards
• Presence of termite mud tunnels
• Presence of flying termites

FAQs similar to “does home insurance cover termite damage”?

Does home insurance cover pest damage?

No, home insurance does not typically cover you for pest damage. This is because home insurance is created to cover you for damage that is sudden or unforeseeable, such as theft, a fire, an earthquake or a storm.

Insurers see insects and pests as preventable, so they will not offer compensation for repairs or pest damage.

Does strata insurance cover termite damage?

No it doesn’t. Strata insurance usually covers you for damage to the outside of your home, but not for damage caused by insects or pests.

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