Beyond Power Outages: How Wildlife Damage to Power Lines Can Affect Your Insurance

Let's face it - wildlife can wreak havoc on both homes and businesses. But one type of damage that often goes unnoticed until it happens is the destruction wildlife can cause to power lines, sometimes even leading to total power outages. Keep reading to discover how wildlife damage to power lines can impact your insurance.

Potential for Higher Premiums

Both power outages and wildlife damage can result in higher insurance premiums for homeowners. Frequent claims related to power surges or wildlife damage may cause insurance companies to view a property as higher-risk. In such cases, insurers may increase premiums to account for the additional risk, especially if the damage is recurrent or significant. Homeowners in areas prone to wildlife activity or frequent power outages might face higher rates due to the perceived increased likelihood of future claims.

Denied Claims for Preventable Damage

Insurance companies may deny claims related to wildlife damage if they determine the damage was preventable. If a homeowner has failed to address obvious risks, such as sealing entry points or preventing wildlife from nesting in the home, the insurer may argue that the damage could have been avoided with proper maintenance. Similarly, if a power outage results from a non-covered event or neglect, claims for resulting damages might be denied, leaving homeowners to cover the costs themselves.

Unforeseen Costs of Power Restoration

Power outages can lead to unforeseen costs, especially if they cause significant damage to electrical systems, appliances, or other electronics. Homeowners' insurance typically doesn't cover the cost of restoring power or repairing electrical systems unless the outage is caused by a covered event (e.g., a storm). As a result, homeowners may have to pay out-of-pocket for repairs or replacement of appliances damaged by power surges, which could be costly without proper coverage.

Impact on Loss-of-Use Claims

In cases where a power outage makes the home uninhabitable for an extended period, homeowners may need to rely on "loss-of-use" coverage, which reimburses them for temporary living expenses. However, if the power outage is not caused by a covered event, the homeowner may not qualify for these benefits. The impact of power-related damage on loss-of-use claims depends on the terms of the policy, and homeowners could be left with the unexpected expense of securing temporary housing without insurance support.

Prevent Wildlife Damage with Critter Guard

At Critter Guard, our wildlife control solutions are designed to prevent critters from accessing and damaging power lines, homes and businesses, and other important electrical equipment. To learn more about our wildlife control products and how they can help prevent costly damage and higher insurance rates, contact us today.