Does Home Insurance Cover Animal Damage? (2024)

FAQs

Does Home Insurance Cover Animal Damage? ›

Keep in mind that homeowners insurance policies also typically do not provide coverage for damage to your property caused by a pet or other domestic animal, such as a pig, cow or chicken. So, if Rover chews his way through a door, your insurance company most likely won't cover the cost of a replacement.

Homeowners insurance generally only covers wildlife damage caused by animals like deer or bears. Damage from smaller pests like squirrels and other rodents generally isn't covered by your home insurance policy because the infestations are considered preventable.

Admitting Fault, Even Partial Fault.

Avoid any language that could be construed as apologetic or blameful.

Earthquake and water damage

In most states, earthquakes, sinkholes, and other earth movements are not covered by your standard policy. Earthquake insurance can be purchased as an endorsem*nt (an addendum) for an additional fee in all states except California.

You won't usually come across standard home insurance that covers pet damage. Accidental damage insurance that might include cover for pet damage doesn't usually come as standard with your home insurance, but you can add it to your buildings and contents insurance policies for an extra fee.

Animal Liability Insurance protects you in the event of damages or injuries caused by your dog or other pet that you own. Liability insurance is a form of third-party coverage, meaning that it compensates others – not you or members of your household.

Does homeowners insurance cover damage by small animals? Damage to your home or other structures from insects, rodents (for example, rats, mice, squirrels, and chipmunks) or birds is usually not covered by a standard homeowners policy (although a window broken by a bird may be an exception).

Homeowners insurance doesn't cover floods, earthquakes, typical wear and tear, and damage due to insufficient maintenance. You can usually add flood and earthquake coverage to your policy for an additional fee, but wear and tear and damage from a lack of maintenance are considered preventable.

Which two are not covered by homeowners insurance? ›

Most commonly excluded are earthquake damage, flood damage, wildfire damage, and hurricane/windstorm damage. Acts of war, terrorism, riot or civil insurrection. These are usually not covered in standard homeowners' policies.

Pets, like dogs and cats, can easily cause damage to your structure and personal property. Unfortunately, damage from pets is excluded from standard homeowners insurance policies, so if your new puppy chews through a baseboard, you will likely have to pay for the damage out of pocket.

Pet damage is normally excluded from personal property damage coverage, but coverage does vary. Liability coverage: most standard homeowners policies may provide at least some coverage if your pet damages somebody else's property, but it depends on your individual policy.

If you're asked about household pets on a home insurance application, you should always be truthful. Even if the questionnaire you fill out doesn't explicitly ask, it's still your responsibility to let your insurer know if there are any animals in the house.

A standard homeowners insurance policy may help cover repairs if raccoons damage or destroy the roof, attic or other areas of the home's structure. However, homeowners are typically responsible for repairing or replacing personal items — such as clothing, electronics and furniture — that are damaged by raccoons.

If you own a dog, homeowners insurance typically covers dog bites under your personal liability and medical coverages, up to the limits spelled out in your policy. Certain dog breeds, like pit bulls, rottweilers, and chow chows, may be categorized as “dangerous” and excluded from coverage altogether.

Some examples of items not covered include: Acts of nature: Home warranties typically don't cover damage caused by natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, or other acts of nature. Pest damage: Damage from termites, rodents, or other pests is usually not covered by home warranty plans.

Carpenter ant and termite damage are not covered by homeowners insurance. Damage from insects is considered a maintenance issue, and as such is generally excluded. In rare situations, some damage that is secondary to hidden damage done by pests may be covered.