Will my home insurance pay for rat damage?

Your home is your responsibility. That means it is down to YOU to make sure that your home is safe - safe from burglars, for example, or other intruders. This should include small and furry intruders, such as rats and mice, and that's generally why rat damage wouldn't be covered by your homeowners insurance.

Most insurance companies will have a clause in their policies that state their insurance covers things that aren't expected. An animal invasion - rats, for example - is expected, especially when you don't take care of your property. Over time, wear and tear naturally occurs, and this is something that you should be on top of. If you are not on top of it, you are not doing your job as a homeowner. As much as it is the insurance company's job to pay out when damage happens that you CAN'T expect, it is your job to make sure that damage doesn't happen that you can avoid. If you had a hole appearing in your roof, for example, and you did nothing to fix that hole, and then the hole let the rain in and the rain damaged things in your property, your insurance company wouldn't pay out. If you ignore a rat problem, or don't spot it because you didn't do your due diligence on your own home, and the damage kept happening over time, it's normally not covered. It isn't down to the insurance company to pay out and fix.

Damage that happens as a result of a rodent or animal infestation is a matter of maintenance for the home.

There are some insurance companies that will offer you additional extras that will include rodent damage, but for the most part, it won't be included as standard. This is something that many homeowners aren't aware of. It might be time to take a closer look at your insurance policy. If you have any questions, get in touch with your insurance company. You might want to be aware of this before it becomes a problem, rather than after.

Go back to the Rats in the Attic home page.

Will homeowners insurance pay for rat damage

Rats can do a lot of damage to your home before you even realize that you have a problem. From the moment they enter your home until they leave, they will destroy places in your home that can eventually cause you other problems in the future. For example, bedding. To make a nest, a rat will work hard to collect bits and pieces of materials throughout the home in order to take back to their nest and make it warmer and more comfortable for themselves and their family. 

Many homeowners assume that their homeowner's insurance policy will help in the financial burden of damage done by an animal. However, this is normally not the way it is handled. Insurance companies do not normally accept responsibility for animal damage, leaving the financial burden on the homeowner. 

If a rat comes into your home, you can almost bet that they are causing some damage to your home. There are many other wild animals that will cause damage to a home including rats, squirrels, and gophers. Homeowners insurance companies consider any damage done to be considered home maintenance. 

You will most likely want to inspect your home to determine where the rats are coming in and out of your home and then repair it. You should then go into your home and inspect the damage the rats have done inside. This could be anywhere from tearing holes in the baseboard to chewing up wiring in the attic and going through boxes of old clothing, papers, and other items to make their nests. 

Rats can get into your walls and use the inside of the wall to make their path indoors to the outdoors, so they won’t be detected by humans at any time. When they create a trail from within, it is going to be very hard to catch them to trap them but it may be easier for you to follow them by turning everything off inside your home and listening to the path they take through the walls to locate their entrance/exit door. 

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Are there exceptions?

If a rat chews wires in your home, you may not notice this instantly. However, over time, this can short out the wiring and when you least expect it, can lead to a fire. If this happens, your home can burn down, and injuries could be a possibility. If a rat chews wires, you may be able to contact your insurance company to find out to what extent they will help with paying for the damage. 

It's always a good idea to consult your homeowner’s insurance policy to find out what is covered if you were to have a rat get into your house and cause damage. Each company is different, and they may have their own rules and regulations that would need to be addressed before you repair your home using your hard-earned money. 

Before the year gets into full swing, speak to your homeowner’s insurance company to determine if your policy is up-to-date or to see if you need to make any adjustments that would help you in covering your most valuable investment.