Question: I have home insurance with State Farm. I was having electrical issues and when an electrician came to look, they found a bunch of damage from mice. I have to replace lots of wiring now. Will State Farm home insurance cover rodent damage?
Answer: Rodents like mice, rats, hamsters and squirrels can cause significant damage if they chew on your home’s electrical wiring. If your electrical wiring needs replacing because of rodent damage, your State Farm home insurance typically won’t cover you. Most standard home insurance policies don’t cover rodent damage. While it’s not necessarily your fault, insurance companies consider this damage preventable.
If the insurance company feels you could have prevented the damage with more care or upkeep, they can deny your claim. While it’s not likely you’ll have coverage to replace your electrical wiring, it never hurts to check in with State Farm. An agent can go over your policy and its exclusions with you and answer any questions you may have.
You will need to explain how the rodents entered your home. Was it a result of a flood or storm in your area? Or did they come in because of cracks or tiny, unsealed holes in the attic, crawlspace, exterior wall or elsewhere? Your agent will need to know this information before they can accept or deny your claim, but in general, home insurance policies do not cover rodent damage.
How to prevent rodent damage to your electrical wiring
While you might not be able to get coverage for current damage, you can prevent further issues by knowing the signs of a rodent infestation in your home. Here are some common signs to be aware of:
- You can hear scratching, squeaking sounds at night: Rodents are nocturnal creatures and tend to do the most damage to your home at night. Expect to hear scratching and squeaking through the walls and ceiling.
- It smells like something is burning: You may smell a scent like something is burning in your home, but there’s no fire present. This odor is a sign that you may have a rodent infestation and the rodents have damaged the electrical wiring.
- You can smell a dead animal: Rodents risk getting electrocuted when they chew on wires, which can cause them to die. When this occurs, an unfortunate, unmissable smell will waft in your home, which could be a tell that some rodents have moved in.
To help prevent issues with rodents, look into hiring pest control professionals in your region. They can survey your home and search for and seal off tiny openings where unwanted pests could enter. Don’t forget to check your car’s wiring too for any signs of damage or nest-building.
While home insurance carriers typically don’t cover rodent damage, some pest control companies may provide warranties, which could save you money and give you peace of mind. If you have rodents, a pest control professional can assist you with removing these unwanted critters before they do further damage.
Emily Maracle is an insurance writer and licensed insurance agent specializing in car and home insurance content. Emily values collaboration and education within the writing industry, which is why it has become her mission to develop resources that best meet readers\\\’ needs. As an editor, Emily offers support and feedback to her team members that help enhance content and improve the experience of readers. Since joining the Jerry team, Emily has written and edited over 2,200 articles on car insurance, car ownership, and similar topics. Prior to working for Jerry, Emily earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from the University of British Columbia.
Andrea Richard is a writer and editor with nearly 15 years of experience crafting content for a variety of industries. In writing for Jerry, Andrea’s mission is to deliver relatable and informative content so readers can better understand the costs associated with car ownership and car leasing. A native Floridian and a road trip enthusiast, Andrea first learned to drive on a Honda Accord when CDs were still a thing. She has served on the Society of Professional Journalists Florida board of directors and volunteers as a judge for national journalism contests. Her work has earned several awards for feature writing, investigative reporting and branded content campaigns.
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