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And, especially for those living in warmer, more humid climates, checking for and preventing house termites should be a top priority on their maintenance checklist. Standard homeowners insurance policies typically do not cover termite damage . There is a scenario in which termite damage might be covered by your homeowners insurance policy. If these little buggers chew through electrical wires and a fire results, the insurance policy might cover the damage resulting from the flames. Furthermore, if termites eat through a tree branch and that branch lands on your roof, the policy might kick in to cover that specific peril.

The wood in your home’s attic and beneath the house can also be compromised by termites. If termites chew away at the wood of your home, its structural integrity will be significantly weakened. The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories.
a must if you’re buying a house
The same way auto insurance protects an automobile and health insurance protects against high medical costs, home insurance protects your home against a variety of perils. Although it is costly to protect your home from termites, a termite warranty is well worth it. Termite damage can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000 to repair. Some termite repairs can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, so a warranty is well worth it. My main objective here at Best Termite Killer is to give effective solutions to termite infestations and share my experience to control termites in a best approach. Aside from home inspections, the bond may also include regular preventive treatments for the property.
Not only does home insurance not cover termite damage, it doesn’t cover other certain types of damage, too. For homes purchased in cash , a pest inspection is often skipped for the sake of saving money. If you discover a termite infestation, you can’t make the seller accountable unless there’s a contingency clause on the contract. This highlights the areas based on the infestation probability. Such a risk level will help you decide if a termite bond is for you. Also, if you’re at a high-risk location, it’s best to purchase a termite bond with a wholesome inclusion of termite species.
Is There Any Scenario Where Homeowner’s Insurance Would Cover Termite Damage?
While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. National Association of Insurance Commissioners , many homeowner insurance policies will not cover termite damage, or the removal of them. A house fire is a covered peril under a home insurance policy. In this situation, your policy would cover the damage and rebuild your home. There are several insurance companies that issue separate policies to cover damage from “wood-destroying insects,” which include termites. These home-hungry bugs include carpenter ants and various beetles.

Homeowners insurance is a lifesaver when it comes to costly repairs from unexpected damage. The important thing to remember, however, is that your policy might not cover everything. Home insurance protects your dwelling and personal property, and it also provides loss of use coverage and liability protection. Here’s what you need to know about termite damage, including whether your home insurance policy will cover the cost to fix your home. Aside from inspections, this clause covers the treatment upon the discovery of the termites. Homeowners don’t have to pay extra fees if this is included in their termite bond.
When might homeowners insurance cover termite damage?
Unlike insurance policies that cover the damage once it’s done, termite bonds are in place to avoid the threat of the pest. Homeowners insurance is designed to cover risks and damage that are accidental and sudden. As a pest control company will tell you, termites aren’t a sudden phenomenon. While you may not initially know they’re sharing your home, they will stick around as long as you continue to provide them with food and water. The cost to remove termites and repair their damage is generally not covered by your homeowners insurance.

Welcoming extended family or friends to live in your home is fine with your home insurer, but you might need to tweak a few coverage types. Save up to 20% on your home’s policy by improving its safety and security. Protect your home and belongings and save even more by bundling insurance with Allstate.
The insurance company will send an insurance adjuster to your home to assess the damage. Also, they will determine how much of the damage will be covered. Still, this scenario is subject to the limits of your policy. Even if the collapse itself isn’t covered, the damages the collapse incurred to your appliances and other belongings will be covered. Preventing termite damage is less stressful and more cost effective than dealing with an infestation.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. This type of wood contains preservatives that make it both rot- and termite-resistant. Termites love to munch on soft, rotting wood, so check for leaks. Repair any leaky faucets, seal up leaks in your roof, and make sure that storm drains empty a few feet away from your home.
If the termite damage leads to collapsed beams or broken staircases in your household, the insurance provider will refuse to compensate you. Moreover, they won’t compensate you for termite damage to your personal property . Damages to the home that occur as a result of a lack of maintenance are not covered by homeowner policies such as HO-3 and HO-5.
A termite colony can house up to 2 million termites, and a termite colony's queen can lay thousands of eggs every day. A termite is a saw-toothed insect that eats wood and other cellulose-rich materials, such as flooring and wallpaper. Measuring four to six inches in length, termites live in colonies, and a thriving colony can nurture between 50,000 and 2 million members. Finally, a termite colony's queen can live up to 30 years and lay thousands of eggs every day. The cost of getting rid of termites can range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the extent of the infestation and size of the home. Hire a professional to inspect the termites and provide an estimate for removal.
We don’t cover damage caused by wear and tear or the gradual leaking of liquid when you’d be reasonably expected to be aware of the condition. Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.

Our best advice is to compare quotes from several contractors to ensure you are getting the best prices for repairs. The company will send a claims adjuster, who may consider the infestation a result of neglect. The report from your inspector can be used to counter that a professional declared the infestation a direct result of an insurable event. These events can change the structure of your home and lead to a termite invasion, but proving the direct link between the damage and the termites may be hard to do. Add Branch renters insurance to your auto policy to save money on both.
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