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Australian home insurance does not generally cover damage caused by termites, insects or other vermin. You will typically find this as an exclusion for damage caused by "animals", "vermin" or "insects."
Some policies might offer a limited level of cover in some specific situations though.
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, unforeseeable or preventable. 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.
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.
It all depends. The main factors are the size and type of home you have, and the severity of the infestation.
These will likely affect your preferred pest control method, and whether you want a preventative fix or simply want to treat an existing problem.
Some of the main methods include:
Note that the above prices are very rough indications only. They are only to give a sense of the cost of different options relative to each other. They should not be used as an indication of how much a treatment might cost you, or how much to expect from a quote.
Termites burrow through mud and will thrive in damp timber. They are attracted to entry points like damp timber struts beneath a home, or exposed piles of firewood. To deal with and prevent termites, homeowners should:
It's also worth considering annual termite inspections. These will probably cost around $250 to $350 but it's cheaper than thoroughly fixing an infestation, and much cheaper than losing your home to termites.
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