Unleashing the Truth: Animal Damage and Insurance Coverage

Homeowners Insurance and Pet Damage

If your dog Fido rips through your couch or pees all over the wall, you're out of luck. Standard homeowners policies won't cover any damage to your house or personal property caused by a pet. And 'pet' is a pretty broad term. Doesn't matter if it's a Shih Tzu or a Clydesdale horse, pets are any animal you own.

Wild Animal Damage and Coverage

What about animals that aren't pets, like deer or birds or – God forbid – rats? That's where things get interesting. You probably aren't covered for any damage to the building caused by birds, rodents, insects, or vermin. There also probably won't be coverage for any nesting or infestation. Insurance policies can vary widely, however, so make sure you ask your agent what is and isn't considered a rodent or vermin (some insurers will say raccoons are vermin, some will say they're not). The specific details of your policy will determine your coverage.

Personal Auto Insurance and Animal Damage

A squirrel chews through the wiring in your car. Fido dents your door chasing after a squirrel. A moose rams your car in a fit of rage, smashing the windshield. (Why do I keep thinking of moose scenarios?) Does personal auto insurance cover animal damage? Yes, if you have optional comprehensive coverage. If you only have collision coverage, then you're not covered. Collision only covers damage when a car overturns or hits another car or object. Comprehensive covers…more or less everything else: damage from falling objects, fire, explosions – and birds and animals.