Is Termite Treatment Covered by Insurance in Florida?

Just as insurance typically does not cover damage caused by termites, it almost never covers termite treatment. Homeowners insurance works to protect you from costs related to property damage, but only damage that was accidental or not preventable. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t make other arrangements. Termite bonds are a special type of insurance policy you enter into with a pest control company wherein your home will be inspected and treated for termites regularly.

Why Doesn’t Insurance Cover Termites?

Insurance agencies almost never recognize termite-related problems in their policies because they believe termites to be preventable. Termite destruction happens slowly and over time instead of suddenly or accidentally, which is typically the case if your home becomes damaged by a fire or storm.

Even though your insurance likely will not cover preventative termite treatment, you should not let that stop you from investing in regular service. The cost of paying for termite treatment is far less than the expenses involved in fixing termite damage.

Who Pays for Treatments When Buying or Selling a Home?

If you’re buying a home with a history of termites, you may be wondering who is responsible for paying for treatment.

• In almost every state in the county, the seller of the home must pay for termite inspections.
• When termite activity, past or present, is found, the seller often also responsible for covering treatment either up-front or in closing costs.
• That said, the buyer is most often responsible for anything considered to be termite prevention.

Are Termite Bonds Helpful?

Because your insurance company will not cover the expenses of termite treatment, it may be best to consider the benefits of entering a termite bond. Termite bonds are a form of insurance that works to protect you from the costs of treating infestations.

In most termite bonds, the pest control company will pay for any damage caused by termites. The hope is that with regular treatment and prevention made possible by the termite bond, termite infestations will not become an issue.