Does homeowners insurance cover termite damage?

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• Termite damage is classified as neglect or maintenance and is not covered by homeowners insurance.
• Homeowners insurance may cover termite damage if associated with a covered peril.
• Termite professionals can help you prevent damage and keep your home in good shape.

Many homeowners aren't aware homeowners insurance excludes termite damage. As a result, they spend thousands out of pocket for termite-related repairs. In fact, "27% of consumers believe termite damage is covered by a home insurance policy," according to a 2022 online broker Goosehead Insurance survey.

Since your homeowners insurance company can't insure you when termites enter and gnaw through your home foundation, keeping your eyes peeled for warning signs is critical. Prevention and regular maintenance can save you thousands in property damages caused by pesky creatures.

Why doesn't homeowners insurance include termite insurance?

The golden rule of most insurance products is simple: insurance is meant to make you whole after a covered event ("event" being the operative word). If your house falls victim to an accidental fire, you'll be covered if you have fire coverage in your homeowners coverage.

However, routine maintenance or neglect would be something you should've taken care of along the way. Termite damage would fall under both categories. "The reason why is that termite damage is usually seen as a maintenance issue and wear and tear isn't covered by home insurance," says Angel Conlin, chief insurance officer at Kin Insurance.

How much do termite repairs cost?

Termite prevention can be purchased at a reasonable price, depending on the size of your home. Companies will survey your home, generate a cost estimate, and show up every month in high-risk areas or if your home has a history of infestations. Even a quarterly or annual treatment schedule can help you avoid costly repairs.

The average cost of termite treatment is $591, according to HomeAdvisor. This would include anything from spraying for known infestations to tenting your home, during which you'd also have to find other accommodations. Average hotels or additional costs should be added to the $591 for treatment.

The average cost of termite damage repairs comes in at $1,800, according to Angi. However, this figure can be much higher based on the extent of the damage. Common repairs involve replacing rain gutters, roofing, etc.

When will homeowners insurance cover termite-related damage?

Your homeowners insurance company might cover termite damage if a covered peril caused the infestation. However, like other covered events, your insurer would expect you to take appropriate steps to address the damage immediately. Similarly, if the infestation leads to another covered event, your homeowners insurance company may cover pest damage as part of the claim.

For example, if a hurricane took your roof that was also infested, your hurricane insurance company would pay to replace the roof and address associated damage to the house that may leave you vulnerable in a future storm.

Likewise, termite treatment may be included alongside mold prevention and treatment after a flood. As long as there were no obvious preexisting infestations, your homeowners insurance company may assume the colonies took shelter and repopulated in your home due to the excessive moisture as long as you have a water backup rider (usually costs a few dollars per month).

Homeowners insurance companies may also reimburse for termite-related repairs if an infestation causes a sudden collapse. However, an insurer may ask if a reasonable person would have noticed the damage. "If someone ignores signs that they have termites or chooses to do nothing about them, then an insurance company will most likely deny your claim," says Conlin.

Conlin caveats neither scenario guarantees your homeowners insurance company will cover termite damages. It all comes down to circumstance and the language in your policy.

How to protect your home from infestations

"It is possible to stop termite damage before it starts. General home maintenance activities can go a long way toward keeping an infestation at bay," says Conlin.

The NPMA offers a few tips to prevent a termite infestation.

Minimize feeding sources

• Check your gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks are operating correctly. Also, ensure your storm drains empty water at least a few feet from your home's foundation.
• Use treated wood for your home's foundation, deck, and fences instead of untreated wood.
• Stack firewood, lumber, and cellulose base products at least 20 feet from home.
• Repair leaky faucets, outdoor AC units, and leaky pipes to minimize moisture around and inside your home.

Limit entry points and ground contact

• Keep an 18-inch gap between the soil and the wooden areas of your home.
• Seal the cracks in your home and spray poison in those entry points and surrounding areas.

Make maintenance a part of your routine

• Check for signs of termite activity in and around your home.
• Hire a professional to perform a pest inspection annually.
• Consider having your home pre-treated to prevent an infestation.

How to spot termite damage

Termite damage can lead to thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket repairs. However, spotting these pests early on can help you prevent significant damage to your home. There are three types of termites you should be aware of.

• Subterranean termites: Homeowners can find these in every state in the US except Alaska. Colonies thrive in moist and warm climates and tend to cause the most damage to homes.
• Dampwood termites: As the name implies, colonies thrive in wooden areas with high moisture levels. Dampwood termites are larger than other species.
• Drywood termites: Drywood termites require less moisture to thrive than other species and can feed off hard, dry wood structures.

The NPMA lists several signs of a termite infestation homeowners should watch out for.

• Droppings and discarded wings from swarmers
• Mud tubes or tunnels
• Hard to open windows or doors
• Damage to paint or walls
• Wood producing a hallow sound
• Blistering and sagging floors
• Chipped or bubbling paint

How to treat a termite infestation

Getting rid of the termites before you start your home repairs is essential. Otherwise, the colonies will continue to infest and undo any repairs you make.

While you may be tempted to treat an infestation yourself to save money, contacting a professional exterminator is your best bet to rid your home of the issue altogether. Gather quotes from several highly rated pest control companies and pick one with the most competitive rate.