Many professional state public health services, such as the CDC (Center for Disease Control), have long-since recognized the reproductive potential and success of raccoons; therefor, they have extended public warnings, issued official guidelines, and provided information about raccoon disease control and prevention. Unfortunately, there is nothing these organizations can do to prevent property damages caused by raccoons. This is the responsibility of the homeowner. The number one question is, “Is raccoon damage covered by my homeowners’ insurance policy?” Continue reading to learn about standard homeowners’ insurance policies and if they are known to cover raccoon damages or not.
Raccoon Damage Insurance Claims
The bad news is that wild raccoons can cause a substantial amount of damage in a short amount of time. Attics, crawl spaces, basements, drywall, insulation, garages, and more can all become saturated with animal urine, feces, afterbirth, feeding mess, and more. On top of this mess, sheetrock, particle board, walls, ceilings, rooftops, and more can easily become structurally damaged from even a small raccoon infestation. Now here is the good news; most homeowners’ insurance policies cover raccoon damages.
You see, insurance policies will commonly have a section that discusses “rodent” or “vermin” damages and that these damages are not covered; however, raccoons are not rodents. In fact, raccoons are members of the bear family! Modern dictionaries define vermin as noxious little animals such as mice, lice, squirrels, rats, cockroaches, flies, and insects. Although some insurance policies may differ, most cover damages caused by raccoons and other nuisance wildlife. The verdict can also depend on the particularjurisdiction in which a person lives.
To find out of your homeowners’ insurance company covers raccoon damages, it is best to refer to the original contract, policy plan, and agreement. See what it says about animal damage and coverage benefits. If you are still confused, call the company to speak with a live representative. They can give you answers to all your insurance coverage questions right over the phone. Most insurance companies provide these customer services 24 hours a day.