Greensboro Home Insurance: Does It Cover Bedbug Damages?

With the huge national concern regarding bedbugs, being found not only in people's homes/apartments but in college dorms, retail stores, theaters, offices, hotels and motels, you may be concerned about picking up these critters somewhere and bringing them into your own home. They can travel like hitchhikers on your clothing, in your baggage or suitcases and, once they make themselves at home in your domicile they're difficult and expensive to get rid of, not to mention a major pain in the neck! You may also be wondering if your Greensboro home insurance coverage will pay toward the cost of ridding yourself of bedbugs.

In a word, the answer, “NO,” your insurance doesn't cover bedbug damages or reimburse you for the expense of getting rid of them. The reason for this should be clearly spelled out in your Greensboro home insurance policy under exclusions. Your policy also doesn't cover rodent infestation, by the way, so if you have mice in the pantry or bats in the belfry you're out of luck there too.

According to an insurers way of thinking, and backed up by the Insurance Information Institute (III), the cost incurred in getting rid of bedbugs (or other vermin) is considered to be a part of normal home maintenance, and therefore not reimbursable under standard homeowner's insurance.

How About Water Damage?

It's interesting to note that, while your homeowner's insurance likely covers water damage that occurs as the result of a burst water pipe or water heater, if the adjuster determines that the cause can be tied to faulty maintenance procedures (or no maintenance at all), the claim may be denied.

Prevention

Bedbug infestation prevention starts with avoiding the bringing of them into your home. If you stay in hotels or motels, check your room for these pests and, if you see any, seek other lodgings. Carry large plastic bags in your suitcases so you can wrap your luggage to protect your clothes. When returning home you should wash all the clothes you had with you in hot water – even the clothing you didn't wear. If you buy clothes at a used clothing store it's recommended you put them into a plastic bag and then into your freezer for three days. After this they can be taken to the dry cleaners. To protect your bed mattresses and pillows you can buy special anti-bedbug covers (sold at Amazon and Walmart).