Does foremost insurance cover termite damage?

Asked by: Charlene Kassulke  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 5/5 (70 votes)

Unfortunately, homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover termite damage because homeowners insurance is designed to cover unexpected damages and perils.

Do insurance companies cover termite damage?

Here's the quick answer: Pest control is your responsibility as a homeowner. Insect infestations can be prevented with proper maintenance, so termite damage is not covered by home insurance. Your policy can cover sudden damage caused by wild animals.

Does homeowners insurance cover termite treatment?

Homeowners insurance is designed to cover risks and damage that are accidental and sudden. ... The cost to remove termites and repair their damage is generally not covered by your homeowners insurance.

Does homeowners insurance cover insect damage?

Most homeowners insurance policies will not cover pest infestations or related damages. Insurance providers draw a line between preventable and unexpected damages. Unexpected damage can be covered in homeowners insurance policies, even if it was related to a pest infestation.

What type of damage does homeowners insurance not cover?

Termites and insect damage, bird or rodent damage, rust, rot, mold, and general wear and tear are not covered. Damage caused by smog or smoke from industrial or agricultural operations is also not covered. If something is poorly made or has a hidden defect, this is generally excluded and won't be covered.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Termite Damage?

20 related questions found

What are the six categories typically covered by homeowners insurance?

Generally, a homeowners insurance policy includes at least six different coverage parts. The names of the parts may vary by insurance company, but they typically are referred to as Dwelling, Other Structures, Personal Property, Loss of Use, Personal Liability and Medical Payments coverages.

What is excluded in a homeowners policy?

While homeowners insurance covers a wide variety of perils, some are excluded from almost all standard homeowner policies. Earthquakes, flooding, lack of maintenance and even damage from war can be excluded from coverage for homeowners protection.

How much does it cost to fix termite damage?

Termites – one word that strikes fear into the heart of most property owners in the U.S. Termites cost American property owners $5 billion annually, affecting around 600,000 homes. The average cost to repair termite damage is $3300.

What are signs of termite damage?

These tell-tale signs include:
  • Discolored or drooping drywall.
  • Peeling paint that resembles water damage.
  • Small, pinpoint holes in drywall.
  • Buckling wooden or laminate floorboards.
  • Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor.
  • Excessively squeaky floorboards.
  • Crumbling, damaged wood.

How do you fix termite damage?

How to Repair Termite Damage
  1. Wood Hardeners. If the damage from the termites is minimal, you may be able to use wood hardeners to fill in the gaps and strengthen the wood. ...
  2. Wood Fillers. If the damage is extensive enough that you can see channels in the wood, you will need to fill those with wood filler. ...
  3. Wood Replacement.

How do I get rid of termites in my house?

Some of the best ways to get rid of termites is to apply termite-killing products to your home's exterior, use direct chemicals on the inside of your home, set up termite baits, and spray boric acid in your floors and walls.

Is it worth having a termite contract?

However, a termite warranty is well worth the cost of protecting your home. The average cost of a termite repair is around $3,000. Some termite repairs can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, so a warranty is well worth the cost.

How do you know you have termites in the house?

5 Signs of a Termite Infestation
  1. Stuck Windows or Doors. Do you have a window or door that recently feels stuck, or suddenly became much harder to open or close? ...
  2. Damage under Paint or Wallpaper. ...
  3. Termite Swarmers & Discarded Wings. ...
  4. Mud Tubes. ...
  5. Termite Droppings.

Does State Farm cover termites?

Most standard homeowners insurance policies, including those from State Farm, don't cover termite damage as part of a standard homeowners insurance policy.

How do you treat for termites?

Treating a termite infestation can be as easy as setting baits or as involved as digging a trench around your home to set up a termiticide barrier. The four main types of termite treatments include liquid-soil termiticides, termite baits, building materials with termiticides, and wood treatments.

What is a termite warranty?

What is a Termite Warranty? Treating a home for termites, whether it is a treatment for existing damage or pretreatment for new construction, includes a warranty. Most exterminators will offer a one-year warranty. The warranty may state future infestations are covered at no cost to the homeowner.

How long does it take for termites to infest a house?

When a termite colony infests a home, it can take around three years for the damage to be noticeable. As mentioned above, the rate of damage depends on the size of the colony. If the colony is big enough, all the wood components in your house can be destroyed within eight years.

How quickly can termites do damage?

Experts estimate that over a period of about five months, a group of around 60,000 termites can eat the equivalent of one foot of a 2x4 beam. No matter how fast they eat, the pests can do serious damage to homes before residents are even aware of it.

How do you find a termite nest?

What to Look For. Pencil-thick to inch-wide tunnels on foundation and crawl-space walls (above) shelter subterranean termites traveling to and from the nest. If you see cream-colored insects when you break open the tubes, your house is infested. If you don't, the colony may be dead or using another route inside.

How long does it take for termites to cause structural damage?

When a termite colony infests a home, it can take as little as three years for noticeable damage to occur. Of course, the rate of damage depends on the size of the colony. If the colony is large enough, it can destroy the wood components of your home within a period of eight years.

How much is a termite inspection?

Termite inspection costs range from $50 to $280, with the national average at $100. Termites can be devastating, and their presence can take a homeowner by surprise. But homeowners might not know that they should be having regular termite inspections to ensure that their homes are safe and sound.

What is the difference between wood rot and termite damage?

Wood rot is a type of damage that fungi can cause to wood. ... Termite damage can leave wood looking wavy or with areas that appear to be hollowed out. Wet rot can cause wood to look darker than surrounding areas and cause it to feel soft and spongy. Dry rot can cause the wood to crack and crumble when it is touched.

What Cannot be covered by insurance?

Health insurance typically covers most doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, wellness care, and medical devices. Most health insurance will not cover elective or cosmetic procedures, beauty treatments, off-label drug use, or brand-new technologies.

What should you cover in home insurance?

Key Takeaways
  • Homeowners insurance policies generally cover destruction and damage to a residence's interior and exterior, the loss or theft of possessions, and personal liability for harm to others.
  • Three basic levels of coverage exist: actual cash value, replacement cost, and extended replacement cost/value.

Which two perils are generally excluded from most insurance coverage?

The most common types of perils excluded from all-risks coverage include earthquake, war, government seizure or destruction, wear and tear, infestation, pollution, nuclear hazard, and market loss.