Does a home warranty cover pest control?
Check pest control coverage to avoid costly surprises later
Pest control is an important but often overlooked part of home maintenance — that is, until the first critter shows up. Having a pest control plan before the invasion starts is a smart strategy. Some home warranty companies cover pest control as part of a policy, but there are some things you should know to protect yourself and your home.
Key insights
- A few home warranty companies cover pest control.
- Most do not cover pest damage.
- Some companies include termite prevention in pest control coverage.
What pest control services does a home warranty cover?
A few home warranty companies do cover pest control, typically as an add-on to a base package or part of an upgraded package. It’s important to note that the coverage is typically just for pest treatment, not the damage caused by pests (e.g., wood damage from gnawing rodents or termites). Since your home insurance isn’t likely to cover pest damage, either, you may be on your own when it comes to repair costs.
The good news is you can fend off any damage by getting a home warranty package to knock out an infestation before it causes problems. Pests covered in some home warranty packages include:
- Termites
- Roaches
- Ants
- Rats
- Mice
- Crickets
- Silverfish
- Pill bugs and sow bugs
- Clover mites
- Scorpions
- Earwigs
- Millipedes and centipedes
- Black widow spiders
- Brown recluse spiders
- Ground beetles
Potential exclusions to pest control home warranty coverage
Not all home warranties are created equal, and some have strict limitations to their coverage. Here are some problems you may run into with pest control coverage:
- Pest control is covered, but just for your home. Decks, fences and outside structures may not be covered.
- The home warranty may only cover pest control up to a certain dollar amount. Coverage caps are common in home warranty contracts.
- Some policies do not cover termites.
- Policies may not cover pests that are more common in your area. For example, some policies cover sugar ants but not carpenter ants.
Why is pest control coverage important?
Pests are annoying, but they can also cause serious damage to your home. Termites can destroy wood, and mice and rats have a habit of chewing on electrical wires, potentially causing shorts and electrical fires. Carpenter ants make tunnels in foundations and support beams, weakening the structure of your home.
Another reason to keep up with pest control: The feces from pests can seriously affect the air quality in your home. Insects and vermin can also spread germs and diseases.
What to do if your home warranty doesn’t cover pest control
If you look at your home warranty contract and see that it doesn’t cover pest control, you may want to call the company to see if you can add it to your policy. Switching companies is always an option if the company doesn’t offer pest control, especially if your contract is almost up.
Another option is to work with an extermination company in your area. These contracts often cover prevention and damage coverage.
FAQ
What does a home warranty typically cover?
Home warranties usually cover large appliances, built-in microwaves, water heaters and systems like HVACs, plumbing, ductwork, pool heaters and well pumps. Some plans also cover additional items like pest control, septic systems, central vacuums, sump pumps and more.
Is a home warranty for pest coverage worth it?
Pest control services can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. Typically, home warranty plans cost $450 to $1,400, but these warranties also cover the repair and replacement of many appliances and systems around your home. Ultimately, you could end up saving a substantial amount of money with a home warranty plan.
Does a home warranty cover termite damage?
Most home warranty plans do not cover termite damage, though some do cover termite prevention.
Bottom line
Pest control coverage can save you a lot of money in home repairs as a preventive measure. While pest control isn’t a common feature for home warranty plans, some companies do offer it. Be sure to ask about pest control coverage and what exactly the company offers before signing up.
» MORE: Best home warranty companies
Article sources
- Arrow Pest Control, “Carpenter Ants: Facts vs Myths.” Accessed Feb. 6, 2024.
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Sources of Indoor Particulate Matter (PM).” Accessed Feb. 6, 2024.
- Landmark Home Warranty, “Five of the Scariest Things Covered by a Home Warranty.” Accessed Feb. 6, 2024.
- Liberty Home Guard, “Pest Control Home Warranty Coverage.” Accessed Feb. 6, 2024.
- The Home Service Club, “Pest Control Warranty.” Accessed Feb. 6, 2024.
