Does homeowners insurance cover wood damage and chewed wires caused by squirrels?

Answer 1

Yes, Careful when you place a claim tho. Too many and they can cancel your insurance and it makes it hard to get coverage in the future. When a squirrel fell into a Plumbing vent and clogged my vertical waste pipe, State Farm said damage from vermin is not covered and sqirrels are vermin.

Answer 2

Assuming it damaged your home, almost always yes. If they say it is not covered, ask them to tell you where in the policy it says so.

Answer

I have never had a policy that mentioned damage by animals to the home.

Answer 3

An electrical fire can be caused by many reasons, but the one you mentioned is indeed a possibility. Last year I chopped away a section of my wall to rescue a trapped kitten inside it, and I discovered an abandoned squirrel nest in close proximity to the breaker box. Squirrels and rats can cause electrical fires in this way, but they are not the only way.

Answer 4

What was damaged? That would probably be the most important question. But the answer would most likely be NO.

Most policies have an exlusion for damage that happens over time since the insured would need to take the proper steps to avoid the damage. Besides, negligence on the insureds part is also never covered.

Answer 5

Generally, homeowners insurance policies exclude property damage that is caused by rodents (vermin). This type of damage may occur over a long period of time and not meet the definition of "sudden" loss.

Answer 6

Most if not all insurance policies will have an exclusion for Rodent damage. However it does depend on the type of damage that was caused. For instance, I have not seen a claim denied from a rat chewing through an electrical wire and causing a fire, this type of claim is typically paid but they would not have to pay for the chewed up wire. Another thing to look into is what type of 'Rodent' was it and is that animal defined as a rodent? For example, racoons often times cause damage to peoples attics and these claims should be paid as a raccoon is not a rodent, it is actually from the Bear family.

If you have questions about a particular situation please feel free to let me know.

Answer 7

Probably not. Most policies exclude damage by rodents.

Answer 8

No