A squirrel infestation can be a pain in the neck, but what happens when those pesky rodents get into the hood of your car, not your attic?
Squirrels, mice, rats and other rodents have been known to crawl up inside of parked cars and gnaw on wiring, making the car unsafe, or even impossible, to drive. So if your car is damaged by rodents, is the cost of repairs covered by your car insurance? The answer is…maybe.
If you have comprehensive coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, damage caused by rodents that get inside your vehicle may be covered. But if you don’t have comp insurance, the cost of the damage is coming out of your own pocket. Because, well, the squirrels aren’t going to pay for it themselves.
Is rodent damage covered by car insurance?
Comprehensive coverage is a type of car insurance coverage that covers the kinds of damage that can happen to your car when it’s not being driven, like damage from fire, extreme weather, vandalism, theft, falling objects and, yes, animal damage. But rodents chewing through your car’s electrical wiring isn’t always covered by comp insurance — you should check your policy and the exact terms of your comprehensive coverage to know if your comp insurance covers rodent damage.
Unlike liability insurance, which is required in most U.S. states, comprehensive coverage is optional. But comp coverage is a smart buy for most drivers; it’s often purchased along with collision coverage, which covers damage to your car from an accident no matter who was at fault.
A car insurance policy that includes liability, comp and collision is sometimes referred to as full coverage.
Comprehensive coverage usually requires that you pay a deductible, often of $500 or $1000, before your insurance covers the rest of the cost of repairs. You can usually choose your own deductible: The lower you set it, the more you’ll pay in monthly premiums and vice versa.
How do I know if I have comprehensive coverage?
If you’re not sure whether you have comprehensive coverage as a part of your car insurance policy, check your declarations page, which is a one-page summary of your policy. Your dec page will list all the types of coverage you have, as well as any deductibles you’ll need to pay. You can usually find your dec page attached to the front of your policy. A typical full coverage car insurance policy includes:
COVERAGE TYPE | WHAT IT DOES |
|---|---|
Bodily injury liability | The part of your liability coverage that pays for medical bills if you've injured someone in an accident |
Property damage liability | The other part of liability coverage, covers the cost of property damage you've caused in an accident |
Medical payments | Covers medical expenses for you or your passengers after an accident |
Uninsured/underinsured motorist | Covers the costs if you're in an accident caused by a driver with little or no car insurance |
Comprehensive | Covers damage to your car that happens when you're not driving |
Collision | Covers damage to your car after a car accident, no matter who was at fault |
If your car insurance carrier has a mobile app or an online portal, you’ll probably be able to find the dec sheet there. You can also call your insurance provider to request a copy.
Filing a claim on rodent damage
The first thing you’ll want to do is determine what kind of damage your car has, and how bad it is. Rodent damage can show up in a number or different ways. If the rodents have chewed on the electrical wiring in your car, your check engine light may be activated, or maybe your car just won’t start.
There may be signs of rodents in and around your car — like droppings, or paw prints, but you should still take your car to a trusted mechanic to confirm that rodents are the cause of your issues. Get in touch with your insurance company, either online or over the phone, and let them know that your car has rodent damage and you plan to file a claim. Before you file a claim, make sure you have everything on the following checklist:
Your policy number and declarations page
Photos of the rodent damage
Details about where your car is garaged and when the damage happened
You’ll be assigned an adjuster, who will give you instructions about what to do next. As you go through the claims process, save everything: receipts, photos of the damage, any documentation could be important during the claims process.
Your car insurance provider probably has a list of preferred repair shops they’ll want you to work with. While your insurer may not require you to select one of their authorized repair shops, doing so can make the process much smoother, and get you your final payout faster.
Protecting your car against damage from rodents
The best case scenario is not to have any rodent damage in the first place. You can help keep your car safe from squirrels and other rodents by taking some simple precautions.
Seal your garage - If you keep your car parked in a garage, make sure the garage is well-sealed, and plug any holes or cracks with sheet metal or steel mesh
Keep food away - Pests are attracted to food, so move food sources away from your car and make sure your garbage can is tightly sealed
Use deterrents - Special electrical tape made to taste off-putting to rodents could be a good option. And ultrasonic repellents emit a high frequency noise meant to keep rodents away, so you may want to put one in your garage. Just check with a mechanic before messing around under your hood
Drive your vehicle every few days - Taking your car out for a spin at least every couple of days can help keep it rodent-free. If you do plan on leaving your car unused for a long period of time, invest in a vehicle cover to keep it protected
Frequently asked questions
Does car insurance cover electrical issues?
Your car insurance may cover an electrical issue if it was caused by a covered peril, like a lightning strike, and, in many cases, animal damage. But a system that is poorly maintained or breaks down due to general wear and tear would not be covered.
What happens if a mouse chewed through a wire?
Mice and other rodents that chew through wires in your vehicle can damage your car’s electrical system and make it unsafe to drive. The best way to control mice and keep them away from your car is to park your car indoors and away from grass where rodents can hide.
Is rodent damage covered by warranty?
A manufacturer warranty won’t cover rodent damage unless you can prove that the damage happened before you purchased the car. However, car insurance will cover rodent damage if you have comprehensive coverage, so you should file a claim instead.
