Animal infestation home insurance claims on the rise

Home insurance claims relating to animal infestations increased by 35% year-on-year between 2021 and 2022.

This was according to new data from LV= General Insurance (LV=GI), released today (20 March 2023).

The insurer highlighted that animal infestations were at “an all-time high” due to the increase in severity of storms over recent years, which had driven animals to seek shelter in homes.

Home insurance claims caused by squirrel infestation increased by 51% across last year, while fires linked to wasps’ nests have also risen.

LV=GI said that it had seen a number of claims relating to squirrels over the beginning of 2023 – most of which related to the critters chewing through pipes, cables, decking and fascia boards.

The insurer added that one squirrel-related claim had cost £30,000 and required the customer to move into temporary accommodation due to damage to roof timbers and underfelt.

Squirrelling away

Home insurance claims related to squirrel damage have been accompanied with dangerous fires.

In one claim, a customer’s motor home caught fire because of an electrical fault in the dashboard, caused by squirrels chewing through the wiring.

In another instance, a customer received an electric shock due to exposed wires that caused an electric current to run through their water pipes due to the squirrels chewing away wire covers.

LV=GI added that claims relating to wasp nests were also on the rise, with the most expensive wasp-related claim costing £26,700.

The majority of these claims resulted from homeowners attempting to smoke out or burn wasp nests, which caused destructive fires and lead to expensive claims.

The insurer explained that fires often occurred in loft spaces that housed flammable materials such as carboard boxes and timber frames, which alighted rapidly and easily.

Building insurance claims linked to fires cost £30,000, on average.

Martin Milliner, claims director at LV=GI, commented: “With an increase in the frequency and severity of storms we’ve seen over recent years, there is a higher chance of animal infestations in loft spaces where animals can get in due to dislodged roof tiles.

“The data also show that most animals are looking for shelter in the autumn and winter months and wasps move in for the summer months.

“As we come into spring and summer, it’ll be worth keeping an eye out to see if any animals have made a home and are causing any significant damage.”