Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

Can home insurance cover termite damage?

I found some damage from termites on my wooden back porch. It looks like the railings on the porch will need to be replaced. Will my home insurance policy cover the termite damage?

avatar
Payton Ternus · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m sorry to hear about your termite problem, they are definitely pests.
The first thing you should do is review your
home insurance
policy to see if it will cover termite damage. You can also call your insurance company to verify your coverages. This is extremely important to do because most homeowners insurance policies do not cover termite damage or removal.
Your insurance company may step in certain situations involving termites. For example, if termites chewed through some wiring in your home and caused a fire, the carrier may help pay for those damages since fire is listed as a covered peril.
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recommends the following to prevent damage from termites:
  • Divert water away from the foundation of the house to avoid moisture buildup
  • Inspect the foundation for hollow wood or bubbling paint
  • Check wooden areas of the house regularly for any changes
  • Keep wooden parts of the house at least 18 inches away from soil
If you’re not happy with your current homeowners policy, give the
Jerry app
a shot! In under a minute, Jerry gathers your information from your current insurance company and gives you a list of competitive quotes from top carriers in the market.
MORE: How to compare home insurance quotes
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings