Does Renters Insurance Cover Bugs?

We received this question from someone who has Scottsdale Renters Insurance: Does renters insurance cover bugs? One of the reasons that renters insurance definitions are part of your policy is that words have variable meaning depending on who’s using them and on the context.

Because of this, it’s necessary to understand exactly what’s being asked in this question. For what it’s worth, we’ve answered “Does renters insurance cover bedbugs?” already, and you might want to check out that article, as well. Let’s take a look at a few different possible interpretations of that question.

Does Renters Insurance Cover Bugs Kept As Pets?

We told you there were a wide variety of ways that you could read the question! People keep all manner of things as pets – there are interesting resource on bugs as pets. To start with, “animals, birds, or fish” are not covered as personal property. There are a variety of reasons for that. It then stands to reason that if you keep pet bugs, they would not be covered, either.

But what if your pet praying mantis bites someone who’s a guest in your home? Are injuries suffered by guests in your home caused by pet bugs covered? If it’s a minor injury, you could likely find coverage under the medical payments to others section of the policy which is designed for exactly that sort of situation. If it’s a more serious injury, such as from a venomous pet, you could likely find coverage under the liability section of the policy.

So in summary, renters insurance does cover bugs kept as pets in some ways.

Does Renters Insurance Cover Bug Infestations?

No. There is no coverage for bug infestations of any kind, nor for infestations of other vermin. The logic behind this is that, not unlike limited mold coverage, there are few valid reasons why an infestation of bugs should occur in a reasonably well-kept residence. The vast majority of such situations are not cases of negligence, but of willful neglect. If you know or should know that there is a problem, you and/or your landlord should take the appropriate steps to resolve the problem.

That’s not to say that your neighbor’s bugs won’t impact you – that certainly does happen. But there are steps you can take early on once you discover the problem to rectify it long before there’s any damage for which you would need coverage if it existed. Renters insurance is also designed to cover occurrences that are sudden and accidental. A bug infestation is neither of those things.

Do you know what is sudden and accidental, though? A collapse of the structure. Damage from a structural collapse is covered in terms of direct physical loss to your personal property if it was caused by a named peril, or by insect or vermin damage that is hidden from view unless you knew or should have known about the damage and failed to mitigate it.

The classic example here, of course, is termites. Termite damage isn’t covered by renters insurance generally, but if the damage to the structure from the termites is so severe that it causes the building or structure to collapse or partially collapse and damage to your property results, you could have coverage for your property.

There again, chances are strong that the landlord knew or should have known about the problem and failed to mitigate it, but if you didn’t know then coverage could be available to you.

So does renters insurance cover bugs? That very much depends on how you mean that question, rather like most other things in insurance. To find out more, or to get covered, just call (800)892-4308 or click to get covered - whether you need Scottsdale renters insurance quotes online or coverage anywhere else!

Effective Coverage offers the nation's only completely mobile platform to quote and purchase renters insurance right from your phone or tablet in just one minute. Get an online renters insurance quote today and protect your family.

What's Your Style?

• Do You Need Coverage ASAP? Check out the fastest way to buy renters insurance online and get covered in just 60 seconds!
• Do You Feel Like Talking About It? Just call Effective Coverage and a renters insurance expert can help you get great coverage in minutes.
• Do You Need Some Time Alone With Your Thoughts? We understand, which is why we created the Arizona Guide To Renters Insurance.
• Just Want To Watch A Movie Together? See our video guide below.

Photo Credit: Matt Reinbold Laying Low CC BY SA 2.0 (Depicted is Alexial the deathstalker scorpion, Leiurus quinquestriatus)