Rodents—from squirrels to mice—can pose a threat to your house or car. By nesting near or in your home and car, rodents can damage your property over time. They can gnaw wires, insulation and anything else they can chew. If this happens … do you know how your insurance policies will respond?
Your insurance company expects you to keep up with wear-and-tear and basic maintenance of your house, which includes protecting it from rodents. So, rodent damage generally isn’t covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy.
To prevent an infestation: Remember to seal food containers so they will not attract rodents, and block any openings that they can slip through—these critters can slip through millimeters-wide holes.
You can set pest traps, with lethal and humane options. Calling an exterminator also is an option, especially if there is strange odors, noises, droppings and other damage.
For your car, your auto insurance policy should offer some relief. Comprehensive auto insurance provides coverage for losses caused by natural disasters, vandalism, theft and more. And, since this insurance covers all risks not excluded, there is coverage for rodent damage, as well.
Prevention involves keeping food and its wrappers out of your car. It’s also a good idea to move your car regularly or keep it in a sealed garage. There also are mouse traps designed specifically for cars.
Keeping pests away from your house and car is crucial. While you are doing your best to keep your house and car in tip-top shape, your independent insurance agent can help you determine the best insurance policies to protect them from other dangers.
Matt McDonough is PIA Northeast's writer, editor and content curator. Matt joined PIA Northeast in September 2023. Before that, he had been an editor for the online entertainment magazine Collider from 2021-23 as a copy editor for its lists section. Matt entered the world of journalism at his alma mater, SUNY New Paltz, writing and reporting for the college's student run newspaper, The New Paltz Oracle. He graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Creative Writing in 2020.
