Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Animal Damage?
Navigate the complexities of homeowners insurance for animal damage. Understand what's covered, excluded, and your policy's impact on claims.
Homeowners insurance protects against unexpected property damage. While it covers many unforeseen incidents, the extent to which it addresses animal damage varies significantly. Understanding these nuances helps homeowners assess their risk and coverage. Coverage often hinges on the nature of the damage and the type of animal involved, rather than just the animal’s presence.
Covered Animal Damage Types
Homeowners insurance policies cover animal damage when it results from a sudden and accidental event, often involving wild animals or specific perils. For instance, if a deer crashes through a window or a bear breaks through a door, damage to your home’s structure or other detached structures like a fence or shed may be covered. This also applies if animal activity leads to damage from a covered peril, such as a tree falling due to a storm.
Coverage for wildlife damage extends to the structure of your home and other structures on your property, like a detached garage or toolshed. Damage from larger animals like deer or bears is more likely to be covered because the incident is sudden and unavoidable. However, personal property damaged by wild animals is often excluded.
Excluded Animal Damage Types
Many types of animal damage are excluded from standard homeowners insurance policies, particularly those deemed preventable or related to maintenance issues. Damage caused by rodents (mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks) or insects (termites, ants) is typically not covered. This exclusion stems from the view that infestations by these pests develop over time and can be prevented through regular home maintenance.
Infestations and damage from animal waste or secretions are also excluded. While sudden and accidental damage from larger animals like raccoons or skunks might be covered, issues related to their nesting, infestation, or waste products are not. Damage caused by pets owned by the homeowner or other domestic animals is not covered, as this is often seen as a preventable outcome of pet ownership.
Understanding Policy Impact on Coverage
A homeowner’s policy terms, including deductibles and policy limits, significantly influence coverage and payout for animal damage. A deductible is the amount a homeowner must pay out of pocket before the insurer pays for a covered loss. For example, if a covered animal damage claim is $5,000 and your deductible is $1,000, the insurer would pay $4,000.
Policy limits represent the maximum amount the insurer will pay for a covered loss. These limits apply to different aspects of your policy, such as dwelling, other structures, and personal property coverage. Exceeding these limits means the homeowner is responsible for remaining costs. Some policies may also include endorsements or riders that extend or restrict animal damage coverage, such as an endorsement for certain types of wild animal damage.
Filing an Animal Damage Claim
When experiencing animal damage that may be covered, documenting the damage is a crucial first step. Take clear photos and videos from various angles, noting the approximate date and time the damage occurred. After documenting, take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, such as covering a broken window or securing an affected area, if safe.
Contact your insurance company promptly to report the damage and initiate the claims process. Be prepared to provide detailed information about the incident and the extent of the damage. Keep all receipts for any emergency repairs.