Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Damage Caused by Bats?

So, you’ve got bats, and you’re in a precarious situation to determine if homeowners insurance covers bat damage. Navigating homeowners insurance alone can make you feel like you’re driving blind. While home insurance policies typically cover repairs or replacement due to the outdoor elements, like fire, lightning or hail, pests are a different story. Many policies specifically state that they do not cover damage caused by birds, vermin, rodents or insects, which are the creatures that cause the most harm to homes. However, they don’t always mention bats. So, does homeowners insurance cover bat removal and damage? 

Bat Removal 

No standard policy covers bat removal. Removing bats from your home can be tricky, and it’s  limited to certain seasons when it’s safe to do so. However, it’s considered the homeowner’s responsibility to remove bats to prevent damage to their homes. To ensure it’s done safely, you should hire a company like Pro-Staff to perform a safe, humane bat removal. Insurance generally covers damage, not preventative maintenance. 

Bat Damage

There is a fine line that determines whether a policy covers bat damage. Most policies state that they do not cover damage caused by birds, vermin, rodents or insects, but bats don’t technically fall into any of these categories. Some policies specify that they don’t cover bat damage. If your policy states this, then it won’t be covered. On the other hand, some policies specifically state that they do cover bat damage.

Determining What’s Covered

When reading your insurance policy, start by looking for the word “bat.” Then, see if the policy specifies what types of animal damage are covered. If the policy spells out that bat damage is covered, then it is. However, not spelling out that bat damage is not covered doesn’t necessarily mean it is. If you read your policy and feel like bat damage should be covered, ask your insurance agent. 

While bat-related damage may be covered, bat removal is almost never covered under insurance. That’s because it’s considered maintenance. Simply having bats in your home doesn’t necessarily mean that your home is damaged, even though they will cause damage over time if left to their own devices. 

After you speak with your insurance agent to determine whether you’re covered for bat damage, contact the Des Moines bat removal pros at Pro-Staff for a free bat inspection and bat removal service. Call us at 515-279-7378 or contact us online.