Home insurance will not usually cover damage caused by termites. This is because home insurance is created to cover you for damage that is sudden or unforeseeable. Damage to your home by termites is not something that happens overnight - it occurs gradually. It's also considered preventable by most insurance companies as you can have specialists assess your home regularly.
Unfortunately, by the time many of us realise we have termites in our home, they've already done considerable damage to it. If you do suspect you have termites, deal with the problem immediately before it gets any worse. Whether you are a prospective homeowner or simply want peace of mind, it's a good idea to have a pest inspection specialist examine your home.
Many policies specifically exclude loss or damage caused by insects, vermin and rodents, so be sure to read the exclusions on your policy disclosure statement when you're looking for home insurance.
Are there any policies you can take out that will cover termites?
Some pest control and building inspection companies offer home insurance when you have a full termite treatment installed. Policies often include timber replacement up to a certain value if termites damage your home. You'll usually be required to have your home inspected annually for termites as well.
Most policies only last for around 3 to 5 years and many pest control companies can't offer you the same level of security and services as insurance companies. Nonetheless, a policy like this could be good to have on top of your home or contents insurance.
Termite damage isn't covered by home insurance because home insurance is intended for unforeseeable and sudden events. Given termite damage is gradual and preventable, unfortunately it's not included in home insurance.
Look out for moisture in and around the home, especially around wooden surfaces.
Repair leaks as soon as possible.
Repair rotting woodwork and other parts as soon as possible.
Replace weather stripping and loose mortar around basement foundations and windows.
Make sure you have properly-functioning gutters and downspouts that appropriately divert rain.
Regularly inspect the foundations of the building and look for signs of mud tubes, uneven or bubbling paint and wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
Keep an eye on exterior areas of wood, especially around windows, door frames and skirting boards.
Maintain a substantial gap (a half-metre minimum, ideally) between the soil and wood portions of your home.
Store firewood a decent distance from your home and out of the rain.
Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
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