Pests might be small, but the damage they cause can be enormous.
Termites can silently chew through timber and flooring, rodents can gnaw on electrical wiring and insulation, and cockroaches can contaminate food and spread bacteria. For many homeowners, these creatures can cause damage in the thousands of dollars.
You might think your home insurance would cover this kind of damage, but does it really? Let’s take a look at the facts.
What kind of damage can pests cause?
Pests can cause serious structural and hygiene problems in your home if they’re left unchecked. What’s more, each type of pest brings its own kind of damage, and often before you even realise. Let’s take a look at some common examples:
- Termites: These silent destroyers can chew through timber, flooring, and walls from the inside out. They often go unnoticed until major structural damage has already occurred.
One Brisbane homeowner didn’t know termites were in her walls until her skirting boards started crumbling.
- Rodents: Rats and mice love to chew. They gnaw through electrical wiring, insulation, and even household items. This damage can lead to power failures or, in the worst cases, electrical fires.
- Cockroaches and ants: These pests contaminate food, damage appliances, and spread bacteria throughout kitchens and pantries. Their droppings and nesting materials can also trigger allergies and asthma in some households that are prone to respiratory issues.
Does home insurance cover pest damage?
The short answer is no. Most standard home insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by pests such as termites, rodents, or cockroaches. Insurers consider pest management part of routine home maintenance, meaning it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to prevent infestations before they cause major problems.
From an insurance perspective, pest damage develops gradually rather than through a sudden, unexpected event. That’s why it’s often grouped with issues like rust, corrosion, or mold — problems that occur over time if not properly maintained. For example, if termites slowly eat through your floorboards or rodents chew through electrical wiring, insurers view it as preventable rather than accidental damage.
The tricky part is that pest activity often goes unnoticed until significant damage has already been done. Many homeowners only discover a problem after the signs become obvious – think hollow timber, crumbling skirting boards, or strange scratching sounds in the walls. Unfortunately, by that stage, it’s usually too late for an insurance claim.
“We get asked this all the time,” says Eddy, owner of EPM Pest Control. “Unfortunately, by the time people notice damage, it’s often too late, and not covered by insurance. That’s why regular inspections are so important. Prevention is cheaper than repairs.”
Regular pest inspections can make all the difference. While your insurer may not cover damage caused by pests, taking proactive steps, such as installing termite barriers or scheduling annual check-ups, helps protect your home and prevents small issues from turning into costly repairs.
What you can do to protect your home
While most insurance policies won’t cover pest damage, there’s plenty you can do to reduce your risk. A little prevention goes a long way when it comes to keeping your home safe and avoiding expensive repairs.
- Schedule annual pest inspections
Regular inspections help detect early signs of infestation before serious damage occurs. Professional technicians can spot hidden issues with specialised devices that most homeowners would otherwise miss, such as termite tunnels or rodent nesting points.
- Watch for early warning signs
Be alert to soft or sagging floorboards, hollow-sounding timber, droppings in corners, or strange odours coming from walls or cupboards. These can be early clues that pests have already moved in.
- Install termite barriers in high-risk areas
If you live in Brisbane or other parts of Queensland, you’re in one of Australia’s highest-risk termite zones. Installing a chemical or baiting termite barrier adds an important layer of protection around your property and helps prevent future infestations.
- Keep your home clean and sealed
Good hygiene and maintenance can make your home less appealing to pests. Seal cracks, fix leaks, store food in airtight containers, and clear debris or timber piles from around your home’s foundation.
By staying proactive, you can greatly reduce the chances of a serious pest problem and avoid the unpleasant surprise of discovering that your insurance doesn’t cover the damage.
Conclusion
Pest damage can catch homeowners off guard. And unfortunately, it’s rarely covered by insurance. Because insurers see pest control as part of regular maintenance, the best protection comes from prevention. Regular inspections, early detection, and good property upkeep can save you thousands in property repairs and stress.
