No, termite damage is not typically covered by your renters, condo, or home insurance policy. The majority of insurance providers consider termite infestations preventable, so the cost of damage and removal will come out of the homeowner’s pocket.
Types Of Termite Damage
Here are a few common indications of termite activity/damage:
- Sudden appearance of water damage.
- Buckling walls or ceilings.
- Mud tunnels in the home’s foundation.
- Maze-like designs located in wooden structures.
- Visible termite swarming.
Typically, all of these signs mean there is some termite activity going on in your home or commercial property. Advanced termite damage can greatly impact your home’s structural integrity. This includes severe cases of ceilings or floors collapsing.
However, if the damage does not affect the structure of the home, you could still be impacted by damaged walls, flooring, furniture, or carpeting. Immediate action should be taken whenever termite damage is noticed, regardless of how small the problem may appear.
Why Doesn’t Homeowners Insurance Cover Termite Damage?
Insurers usually view termite damage as avoidable and sometimes due to a homeowner’s negligence. Homeowners insurance policies are created to cover you for any sudden or accidental events, and termite damage is not classified as either.
Be sure to always take precautions to prevent infestations before they occur. By the time you suspect you have termites, it’s often too late.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Termite Treatment?
Termite damage can unfortunately result in thousands of dollars in bills. And that’s only for repairs! That is before paying for removal and other issues termites can cause like health problems or difficulty selling your home.
Since routine maintenance is typically the homeowner’s responsibility, your insurance is not likely to cover termite treatment. It’s best to contact pest control as soon as you suspect an issue.
Is Carpenter Ant Damage Covered By Homeowners Insurance?
Unfortunately, carpenter ant damage is viewed the same way as termite damage. Insurance providers see this as a matter of general home maintenance.
Even if you had an infestation, insurance companies will not cover the damage caused by ants to any walls, ceilings or floors.
How To Fix Termite Damage
There are two common methods used to fix termite damage to wood, including:
- Completely replace the damaged wood sections.
- Add support adjacent to the damaged wood.
In the majority of cases, adding a wood support to the wall will be easier and less expensive, overall. This repair type works for numerous structural and non-structural damages.
Repairs involving replacing structural supports are typically the most complicated type. It is crucial for adequate support to be provided during these repairs.
Termite Control Phoenix Metro Area
Poor Boy Termite Control can solve all of you termite issues. We only deal with termites as the name implies. We use thermal imaging, with no drilling or guessing. At Poor Boy Termite Control we detect termites and treat them. If you have a termite infestation, Call Poor Boy Termite Control at (480) 994-4240 and schedule an appointment before the problem gets worse!
