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Does home insurance cover termite damage?

We just discovered termites in our house. Will our insurance cover it? I can't find anything in our policy. I do see a clause about sudden and unexpected damage, would this qualify since we didn't know?

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Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“In home insurance, almost all policies exclude insects specifically from their coverage. If you have an HO-3 policy, your coverage is on an open-peril basis, but damage from insects, birds, and animals are excluded.
To be sure, you should look in the conditions section of your
home insurance
agreement. If you’re not able to find an exclusions list, reach out to your carrier. They’ll be able to tell what is excluded in your policy.
While the termites were unexpected, they won’t qualify under the sudden and expected damage clause. If you live in an area where termites are prevalent, most companies recommend additional termite insurance. This protects your home from any damage resulting from termites.
You’ll have to repair the damage and get rid of the termites before your insurance would allow you to purchase termite insurance; however, it is something to consider in the future.”
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