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Unfortunately, home insurance doesn't typically cover rodent damage. Rodent damage, like termite damage, is commonly an exclusion in most Australian home insurance policies.
But here's how we can help.
This guide covers why insurers won't cover things like rodent damage, how to get rid of rats and some ways you can prevent an infestation.
You might wonder why a home insurance policy won't usually cover rodent damage, given it covers so many other things. Here are some of the reasons a home insurance policy won't cover rodent damage:
Insurers generally see rodents as a preventable problem that's related to the general upkeep of the home. In other words, it's the homeowner's responsibility, not theirs.
We looked at five major Australian home insurance providers. Here's what their product disclosure statements (PDS) say.
Prevention is better than a cure where rodents are concerned, but if you do end up with a rat infestation, it is possible to bring it under control.
If you think you have a rat problem, you should act quickly because a small issue can quickly snowball into a big one.
You'll often need to take a trial-and-error approach to see what works best, but the two main ways to get rid of a rodent once and for all are trapping and baiting:
If the problem still won't go away, it's time to call in a licensed pest professional. Let them know about any animal welfare or environmental concerns you have, so they can factor those into the plan of attack.
Rats and mice look for three things in our homes: food, water and shelter. If you do your best to take those away, you'll go a long way to stopping rodent problems before they happen.
Like with termites, it's better to be proactive than reactive. Here are some tips:
A mouse or rat can get through even a tiny opening. To seal up holes, you can use a combination of steel wool and caulking agent, cement, hardware cloth, metal sheeting or another method. In houses, holes often show up in the following areas:
On building exteriors, check the following:
Rodents are good climbers and jumpers.
Don't put meat in the compost, and when you add scraps to a heap, turn the pile so the new scraps are covered.
These are potential nesting sites for rodents. Also, if you have fruit trees in the garden, don't leave dropped fruit on the ground for long and prune at the end of the season. Putting steel sheeting around the trunk can be a good way to stop rodents from pinching the growing fruit.
While home insurance can't usually help with rodent problems, it's always a good idea to check on your current policy now and then just to make sure you're still getting the best deal. Compare your options below and get a quote from some popular Australian home insurers.
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