Does insurance cover termite damage?
I started Insurance Blog by Chris™ because I have a passion for insurance. Here at the blog, our job is to educate and inform people about the best insurance for them.
Since then, we have grown into national brands with a large team of researchers helping people understand all forms of insurance.
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Written by
Chris Huntley
Founder of Huntley Wealth & Insurance Services
Rachael Brennan has been working in the insurance industry since 2006 when she began working as a licensed insurance representative for 21st Century Insurance, during which time she earned her Property and Casualty license in all 50 states.
After several years she expanded her insurance expertise, earning her license in Health and AD&D insurance as well. She has worked for small health insu…
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Reviewed by
Rachael Brennan
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Apr 1, 2022
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Here’s the Scoop
Because termites are a pest that can be prevented by proper home maintenance, termite damage is not covered by a home insurance policy
Signs of termites often include holes in the drywall, doors, or walls that stick, and tunnels and tubes that the termites have created
Home insurance rates will vary based on the size of your home, the amount of coverage you need, and other factors
If you have termites in your home, you may be curious whether your home insurance covers termite damage. Because termites and other bugs and pests can be prevented by homeowners who use proper maintenance techniques, termite damage to a home is not usually covered by home insurance.
Your current home insurance policy will highlight what is covered by your insurance plan. As you familiarize yourself with your home insurance policy, you may find that you want to search for a new policy that offers more coverage or a cheaper monthly payment.
If you want to switch from your current insurer, be sure to shop around online and compare rates from multiple companies at once. This will allow you to make sure you find the coverage that works for you without overpaying in monthly rates.
How do you know if you have termites?
In many areas, termite season begins in the spring. If you own a home, it’s important that you know some early warning signs of termites, like mud tubes.
Some of the most common signs of termites in a home include:
Doors or windows that stick
Damage under paint or wallpaper in the home
Mud tubes
Termite droppings
Termite swarmers
If you do have termites in your home, recognizing the early warning signs of termites could save you thousands of dollars when it comes to repairs and extermination costs. Homeowners who suspect they may have termites can schedule an inspection in order to know for sure.
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What does termite damage look like?
To understand termite damage, you will want to know more about the signs of termites in a home. There are many signs of termites, and these termite signs may be difficult to see until you know what you’re looking for. Most well-known signs of termite damage include mud tubes and overall damage to windowsills and walls. But there are other signs of termites in a house.
Discolored drywall, small holes in drywall and wood, and very squeaky floorboards can all be evidence of termites. Depending on the breed of termites in your area, you may notice swarms of termites in or around your home or on your property.
The damage termites leave behind varies from small and insignificant surface damage to structural issues that could cost thousands of dollars to repair. This is why it is so important that you learn how to know if you have termites, as catching them early could save you a lot of money and trouble.
What do you do if you find termites?
If you’ve learned how to tell if you have termites and have seen evidence of termites in your house, your best bet is to have someone come out and do an inspection. Once a company comes to see whether you actually have termites in the wood of your home, an expert can let you know what you’ll have to do.
In most cases, specialists will use a combination of traps and poison to rid your home of common house termites. But you will still need to assess the damage that was done and make any necessary repairs before your home is truly taken care of.
How much does it cost to get rid of termites?
The average cost for termite treatment can cost anywhere from $500 to $3,500. This is a wide range, and the cost can be even higher if your home has undergone extensive damage from the termites.
In order to prevent yourself from having to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair your home after a termite infestation, your best bet is to take measures to ensure you never get termites in the first place. Some of the best ways to eliminate the chances of termites include:
Don’t allow wood to make direct contact with the ground.
Don’t let moisture accumulate near the foundation of your home.
Reduce moisture and humidity in your crawl spaces.
Don’t store firewood or wood debris against or along the foundation of your home.
Avoid using mulch when you can.
Consider having your home treated for pests by a professional.
If you take the proper precautions, you are far less likely to experience termites in your home or on your property.
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Does home insurance cover termite damage?
As stated earlier, homeowners can avoid getting termites in their homes by taking certain precautions when it comes to pests. Because of this, home insurance policies do not cover termite damage.
If you do not have a home insurance policy, but you are looking for one — or if you are shopping for a new policy to try and get better coverage or save on monthly premiums — you will find that virtually all home insurance policies refuse to pay for repairs after a termite infestation.
But you may still be able to find affordable home insurance rates in your area with coverage that helps in other circumstances. The table below shows the average monthly home insurance rates in each state in the U.S.
Average Monthly Home Insurance Rates by State
StateAverage Monthly Home Insurance Rates
Alabama$117
Alaska$82
Arizona$70
Arkansas$118
California$89
Colorado$135
Connecticut$125
Delaware$73
District of Columbia$105
Florida$163
Georgia$109
Hawaii$95
Idaho$64
Illinois$92
Indiana$86
Iowa$82
Kansas$135
Kentucky$96
Louisiana$166
Maine$75
Maryland$89
Massachusetts$129
Michigan$82
Minnesota$117
Mississippi$132
Missouri$115
Montana$103
Nebraska$131
Nevada$65
New Hampshire$82
New Jersey$101
New Mexico$90
New York$110
North Carolina$92
North Dakota$108
Ohio$73
Oklahoma$162
Oregon$59
Pennsylvania$79
Rhode Island$136
South Carolina$107
South Dakota$107
Tennessee$103
Texas$163
Utah$61
Vermont$78
Virginia$86
Washington$73
West Virginia$81
Wisconsin$68
Wyoming$99
National Average$101
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Your home insurance quotes with different companies will vary based on a number of factors, like the size of your house, the type of home insurance policy you want, and whether you include add-on coverages like flood insurance to your home insurance policy.
