If you were not aware, you are not alone. Millions of Americans are confused about what their homeowners insurance will cover. A survey conducted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners found that 31 percent of people believe traditional homeowner’s insurance will cover damages caused by termites, rats or other pest infestations.

This can be a costly mistake. Termites do more damage to homes in the South than tornadoes, hurricanes and fires combined.  Unfortunately, most homeowner policies will not cover these damages.  The Standard Homeowner’s Insurance Policy classifies damages caused by termites, ants, rats, mice and other pests as Maintenance Issues.  Most policies specifically exclude Maintenance Issues as these damages are deemed avoidable.

Home maintenance issues excluded under your standard homeowner’s policy typically result from neglect and a failure to properly maintain the property. Termites and insect damage, bird or rodent damage, rust, rot, mold, and general wear and tear are examples of damages not covered under your standard homeowner’s policy.  Generally, if the damage occurred gradually over time, it is not covered, but if it was unexpected and occurred suddenly, the damages are covered.

Don’t rely on your understanding of the policy, though. Speak with your insurance agent about the specifics of your policy to try to eliminate any misunderstanding before you have reason to file a claim.

Take steps to avoid paying for costly repairs your insurance doesn’t cover by performing regular home maintenance. According to the nationally recognized consumer review site, Angie’s List, there is a lot you can do to help prevent termites, but no treatment method is guaranteed to prevent the eventual invasion of natural pests.

Angie’s List says, “A routine, regular inspection and treatment program is one of the best things you can do for termite prevention.” They advise hiring a qualified professional because the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of termite problems require extensive training and experience. An extermination company is far more qualified to prevent infestation, or treat it if it occurs.

Turner Pest Control has been protecting homes from termites and pest infestations for over 40 years. We offer the industry’s most comprehensive termite and pest protection plan – SMART TurnerGuard. With SMART TurnerGuard, you get professional termite inspections and treatments with no retreat fees, and you get routine pest control with no excluded pests. You will have peace of mind that Turner Pest Control can keep your home and family safe from costly termite and pest infestations.