Does homeowners insurance cover bed bugs? This is an intriguing question which you will find the answer to later in this content. Undoubtedly, homeowners insurance is known to offer financial protection and security against unpredictable disasters and situations that might cause damage to your personal belongings or property.
However, regarding pest infestations like bed bugs, the coverage scope can be contrasting. Bed bugs, these ill-famed insects are known for their ability to cause discomfort, especially when they infest a home. For homeowners, this is a challenge that makes them quite curious about reimbursement for damages and eradication by insurance.
In this comprehensive blog post, we will be finding the answer to the question of whether home insurance covers bed bug infestations and alternative methods you can implement to eradicate and prevent these notorious insects from wrecking you financially due to damages. With this in mind, let us delve into it.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Bed Bugs?
Typically, pest infestations are not covered by homeowners insurance and bed bugs are not an exception. This is because pests or pest infestations are considered maintenance issues and are not regarded as sudden or accidental damage to your place of residence.
Generally, unexpected or sudden perils like theft, fire, or storms are covered by insurance but gradual problems like wear and tear, mold, or pest infestations are not covered. Besides, they can be avoided through hygiene practices and routine home maintenance, thus, classified as preventable issues by insurance providers.
If you are worried about bed bugs, it is advisable to take preventive measures like facing and handling any infestation immediately, routine inspection, and regular cleaning before things get out of hand.
When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Bed Bugs?
Even though homeowners insurance does not cover bed bug infestation and their extermination, here are some instances where coverage “may” be applied:
- Infrequent Occurrence
In occasional or infrequent cases or scenarios, some insurance quotes may not offer bed bug infestation coverage if they are associated with a certain covered peril like water damage or fire that caused the infestation.
- Secondary Damages
If the bed bug infestation leads to damages that are not under your policy’s coverage like property loss or damage, these damages may be covered. However, keep in mind that this depends on the terms and conditions of your insurance quote.
When Does Homeowners Insurance Not Cover Bed Bugs
Here are situations or scenarios where your homeowners insurance will not cover bed bugs:
- Personal Property Damage
Bed bug infestations do not usually result in damage to your personal property or belongings in a way that you might need compensation from your homeowners insurance. Hence, loss or damage to your personal property by bed bugs is not covered.
- Maintenance Issue
Bed bug infestations are viewed by insurance providers as maintenance problems and not unpredictable disasters or events. Thus, the removal, treatment, and prevention costs are not usually covered.
- Health-related Issues
Health-related issues and medical expenses are not typically covered by insurance policies if they are caused by bed bug infestations or bites. They are seen as a personal health issue and not property damage.
- Excluded Conditions
In most cases, insurance quotes usually exclude coverage for vermin and pests, and bed bugs are not excluded. This also means that treatment, detection, and eradication costs are not going to be covered as well.
How To File a Claim If Your Policy Covers Infestations
If you are experiencing a serious bed bug infestation and you are sure that your insurance policy covers it, here is how to file a claim as a landlord or a renter:
- Gather enough evidence by taking images and videos of injuries, bites, or damages.
- Notify your landlord.
- Ask the authorities or management to take immediate action to eradicate them.
- Keep a record of all forms of communication.
- Check your lease agreement to see who is responsible.
- Consult a legal advisor.
- Seek medical attention if you are experiencing any health issues or bites.
- File a complaint if the landlord does not address the issue.
- File a lawsuit if necessary.
There are certain laws and regulations when it comes to tenant/landlord responsibilities and bedbugs. More importantly, understand your obligations and rights before taking legal action.
How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Although it can be quite challenging to get rid of bed bugs, if you are persistent and thorough about the process, eradicating them is 100% possible. Here are some tips you can use to get rid of these insects effectively:
- Inspect your whole house.
- Check which areas are infested.
- Vacuum mattresses, carpets, and furniture thoroughly.
- Seal and contain all the infested items.
- Use steam cleaner for your carpets, mattresses, and furniture.
- Reduce mess to reduce their hiding spots.
- Get rid of items that cannot be treated.
- Make use of bed bug encasements.
- Use insecticides.
- Repeat this procedure continuously.
Seek professional help if you are unable to eradicate or get rid of them on your own and prevent reinfestation at all costs.
