Does home insurance cover termites?

When it comes to termites and your home insurance, you may have a bit of a strained conversation with your carrier.

“Pest control is expensive!” you cry to the heavens. “Can’t my home insurance pay to get rid of my termites? They are damaging my house, after all.”

Unfortunately, that’s probably a negatory, Batman.

The thing about termites is that most home insurance policies see them as more of a maintenance issue than a force destroying your home. More like a cockroach infestation than someone pouring wood-eating acid over your house. Even if it feels like a bit of both to you. In other words, termites are not typically covered by home insurance.

“Great. So, what do I do now?”

Well, that depends on your definition of “now,” Mr. Sassy-pants. Let’s divide a termite infestation into 3 phases:

1. Termites aren’t here, and I’d like for it to stay that way, please.

Call pest control anyway. Get an annual inspection to make sure everything’s hunky-dory.

Keep firewood at least 20 feet from your house. Take a closer look at the wood in your house once in a while (door frames, trim, paneling, etc.). Make sure there are no cracks in your foundation. And repair that leaky pipe already! Termites live for damp wood!

2. Hey, does that look like a termite-eaten hole to you?

If you notice any small pellets or scaly piles of wings, call pest control. Like, NOW.

3. OH, MY WORD. THE END IS NIGH. THE TERMITE PLAGUE HAS BEFALLEN MY HOME. PLEASE HELP.

If you have any sagging or swollen floors or ceilings, or if anything looks water-damaged or smells like mold when the area is suspiciously dry: Sorry. You’ve probably got termites. And even when you get rid of them, your home insurance probably won’t cover the damages.

If you need to get home insurance and want to know how to save money on that coverage, we can help. Just chat us up in the bottom right-hand corner to start saving on the perfect home insurance for you. Yes, YOU. Specifically!