Wild animals can cause significant damage to your home and other structures on your property. Whether a racoon trashes your attic or a squirrel builds nests in your garage, you might face expensive repair and cleanup costs. But does home insurance cover animal damage, or are you on the hook for all of those expenses?
Most home insurance policies don’t specifically cover animal damage – in fact, most policies exclude damage from animals because it’s considered to be preventable. However, your dwelling and other structures coverage might offer you some help.
Your dwelling insurance covers the structure of your home, helping to cover any repair costs needed. If an animal significantly damages your home’s structure, you might be able to file a claim against your dwelling insurance and get help repairing the structure.
The same is true of other structures coverage, which applies to structures that are detached from your home, like a shed or garage. This coverage might help pay for necessary structural repairs resulting from animal damage.
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No, homeowners insurance doesn’t specifically cover racoon damage. Most insurance companies view racoon damage as being preventable, so you’re responsible for promptly addressing any racoons and preventing them from damaging your home.
No, homeowners insurance doesn’t cover squirrel damage. Most insurance companies consider squirrel damage as being preventable, meaning you’re responsible for quickly identifying and removing squirrels before they can damage your home.
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In most cases, your home insurance will only help cover structural damage caused by an animal, such as if a deer breaks your glass slider. This type of coverage will usually fall under your dwelling or other structures insurance. It only applies to structural damage and won’t cover any of your personal items that are damaged.
Most home insurance policies also won’t cover any damage that is caused by your pets. Even if your dog tears up flooring or chews through a door, your policy typically won’t cover that damage and you’ll be responsible for the cost of the repairs.
If you’re considering filing a claim for damage caused by a wild animal, consider your home insurance deductible. For example, if replacing a slider damaged by an animal will cost $1,000, and you have a $1,000 deductible, you’re probably better off just paying for the repair out of pocket. Remember that if you file a home insurance claim, your premiums are likely to increase, so get some quotes for the cost of repairing the damage before you decide to file a claim.
Though homeowners insurance won’t pay for most wild animal damage, it’s still an invaluable way to protect your property against fires, falling objects, and other hazards.
Paige Cerulli Paige Cerulli is a freelance content writer and journalist who specializes in personal finance topics. She graduated from Westfield State University and brings more than a decade of professional writing experience to the ConsumerCoverage team. Paige’s work has appeared in outlets including USA Today, Business Insider, and more.
