Termite and vermin damage is generally excluded from a standard homeowners policy, and the policy and the insurer decide any claim. The Maryland Insurance Administration regulates insurers. Keep photos, treatment records and inspection reports before anything is moved or repaired.
Key takeaways
- Termite and vermin damage is generally excluded from a standard homeowners policy.
- Your own policy and insurer decide any claim, so read the exclusions in your policy.
- The Maryland Insurance Administration regulates insurers in the state.
- A written inspection or treatment report is the record that most claims and lenders ask for.
- Photograph the damage and the source before anything is moved, repaired or thrown away.
- This guide gives no claim deadlines, limits or dollar figures, because none were found in the sources used.
Does a homeowners policy cover pest damage?
A standard homeowners policy generally excludes termite and vermin damage, so a claim for it is often refused. Your own policy text decides the question, and the insurer applies it to the facts.
Read the exclusions and any endorsements in your policy, since some policies add coverage that others do not. Do not assume a neighbour's policy works the same way.
The insurer will look at the policy and the findings in any report you provide.
Who regulates the insurer?
The Maryland Insurance Administration is the state regulator for insurers. It is the body to contact about how a company has handled a claim.
This guide names the regulator only and does not describe its complaint process, so ask the regulator directly.
Keep your correspondence with the insurer, including dates and the names of the people you spoke to.
What records should you keep?
Keep photographs of the damage, any inspection or treatment report, the invoice and copies of your correspondence. A written inspection report is what lenders and contracts often ask for.
Photograph the damage and the source before anything is moved, repaired or thrown away. Take a wide shot and close-ups, with dates.
Ask the technician for a written report that describes the findings, the locations and the recommendations.
What is a wood-destroying insect report?
A wood-destroying insect report is a written finding by a licensee. In Maryland, licensees report inspection findings in writing on state Form MD-1, and lenders and contracts often ask for one.
The report helps with a claim because it records what was found and where. It is not a substitute for your policy, and an insurer may still refuse a claim for an excluded cause.
Whether Maryland law requires one at a sale is not stated in the sources used for this guide.
| Question | What the sources say | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Is termite damage covered? | Generally excluded from a standard homeowners policy | Read your policy and ask the insurer in writing |
| Is vermin damage covered? | Generally excluded from a standard homeowners policy | Read your policy and keep the records |
| Who regulates the insurer? | Maryland Insurance Administration | Contact the regulator about a company's conduct |
What should you do before you call the insurer?
Gather your photographs, the report, the invoice and your policy, then describe what happened in writing. Keep a note of each call, with the date and the name of the person you spoke to.
Be clear and factual, and do not guess about the cause.
If you are unsure whether the policy applies, ask the insurer to explain its position in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Will my insurer pay for termite damage?
A standard homeowners policy generally excludes termite damage. Read your own policy and any endorsements, and ask the insurer in writing whether it applies to your claim.
Does vermin damage count as a covered loss?
Vermin damage is generally excluded from a standard homeowners policy. The policy text and the facts decide the outcome, so keep your records and ask the insurer to explain its position.
What is the deadline for a claim?
This guide gives no deadlines, because none were found in the sources used. Check your policy and call the insurer promptly after you see damage. Call (855) 974-4733 for a written report of what was found.
Who do I complain to about an insurer?
The Maryland Insurance Administration regulates insurers in the state. Keep your correspondence and the dates of each contact before you make a complaint.
Sources
- University of Maryland Extension – Termites
- Maryland Department of Agriculture – Pesticide business licensing and certification
This guide is general information for Montgomery County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.