Does Home Insurance Cover Termite Damage?

When you take out a Greensboro home insurance policy you're protecting yourself from a great many financial risks you could potentially suffer should your home or property fall prey to a wide range perils. Your Greensboro home insurance coverage is designed to compensate you should your home suffer “sudden and unexpected” damage from perils such as fire or storms. It will also pay, within policy limits, for your personal possessions should they be damaged or destroyed in any covered peril or should they be stolen or vandalized.

Homeowners insurance policies also typically have a specified amount of liability coverage that will help protect your financial interests in the event you become the subject of a lawsuit from someone who has become injured on your property, if you're required to pay their medical bills or even if your dog goes next door and bites your neighbor. What your policy won't pay, however, is claims stemming from termite damage. This is the case in most home insurance policies, although there are a few exceptions where you might be compensated under certain conditions. Read your policy carefully and consult with your agent if in doubt.

Termites are Neither Sudden Nor Unexpected

From your insurer's perspective, anything that damages your home that could have been prevented by proper maintenance is not a covered peril. This also holds true for other types of insect, bird or critter damage. Termite damage is considered preventable by:

• Proper and regular inspections
• Proper steps taken to preclude or stop an already developed infestation
• Regular maintenance to ensure the problem doesn't return

When is Termite Damage Covered by Your Insurance?

There are two instances in which termite damage will likely be covered by your Greensboro home insurance coverage but, just to be sure, consult your policy and your agent or broker. You'll probably receive compensation in the event that:

1. Your house sustains a total collapse from termite damage
2. A risk or peril for which you're covered in your policy is proven to be the cause of the termites. Linking the peril to the cause of the termites many be tricky, and you probably want to hire a professional to assess the situation. You should also have already filed a previous claim on the initial peril you're claiming caused the termites to invade your home. As always, every home insurance policy is different. Speak to your agent for any needed clarification.