Homeowners policies are unique to the holders of the policy and the insurance companies they go through. Knowing what your insurance policy covers is essential in ensuring that any property or damage to the home is covered. If you’re concerned that your home may need extensive repairs due to wildlife damage then looking over your policy and reading all the fine print is necessary before you take any further steps. Here is what most insurance policies will cover if a home has suffered damage from raccoons.
Insurance When It Comes To Raccoons
When it comes to raccoons, the damage one can do to a home can be costly. Unfortunately, not all homeowners insurance will cover the damage done by these critters. In times past, when it came to wildlife damage, the normalcy for homeowners insurance protection fell underneath the ‘vermin clause’ which excluded raccoons. But in 2007, vermin was later redefined to protect the insurers from having to cover these types of claims. Knowing that raccoons can cause an extensive amount of damage, this is not good news for the average homeowner. Raccoons are known for chewing holes wherever they are looking to find a way in for shelter. They can destroy insulation, drywall and cause structural damage leaving your home vulnerable. Their droppings alone present a health hazard which is why when a pest management company comes in to clean up after raccoon damage, they have to wear Hasmat gear. Rabies, roundworms and other parasites are all commonly found within raccoon droppings and if these are in or near your HVAC system, major health issues can occur. Protecting yourself by seeing what your insurance policy covers allows you to stay a step ahead may you incur raccoon damage.
Dwelling And Structural Damage From Raccoons
Standard homeowners insurance typically covers dwelling and structural damage due to raccoons. Dwelling coverage often applies to the actual home you reside in while structural damage protection may cover structures of the home and structures that sit outside of your home like detached garages, sheds, fences, etc. Looking over your insurance policy should clarify what is covered and what isn’t. When looking over your policy, the first thing you will want to consider is your out of pocket expense, the deductible. You’ll also want to be aware of what your coverage limit is as most insurance policies have a cap. This will give you a good idea of what your out of pocket expenses may be and provides you the knowledge you’ll need when speaking with an insurance representative. Keep in mind that damage done by insects, birds and rodents are not typically covered. Coverage of infestations and damage due to animal waste or secretions is often at the owner’s expense. This includes domestic animals as well. Even farm animals are not typically covered in a standard homeowners insurance policy.
Personal Property Protection From Raccoon Damage
While a standard homeowners insurance policy may cover dwelling and structural damages, personal damages are often not covered. This means that if a raccoon gets into your garage and destroys all the items in it, it’s likely they will not be covered. Clothing, electronics, furniture, etc. is all considered personal property that will more than likely be at the expense of the owner. Knowing the fine print of your policy will help you determine what your coverage entails and give you a clearer perspective on what damages may come out of your budget. Moral of the story, know your policy! There’s a lot of papers to go through but it will be worth your time and effort to understand what is covered and what isn’t. If you ever have questions you can always call your insurance company to clarify.
In our next post, we will cover the question Will Homeowners Insurance Pay For Rodent Damage?
