Fire damage as a result of vermin

virginblue4

Hi everyone,

I am after clarification on what is covered by my home insurance policy. 

I have a policy with Tesco Bank that includes unlimited buildings cover (including accidental damage) and up to £75,000 contents cover (again including accidental damage). 

I read an article a few days back about a house fire caused by vermin chewing through electrical cables. I’ve also read about gas explosions caused by damages to pipes from vermin. The article finished by stating that this damage is usually not covered by home insurance policies so I then checked my policy. 

My policy clearly states that vermin damages is not covered, which is fine. My understanding is if vermin were to chew through furniture / carpet etc, this would be excluded from making a claim. However, if vermin were to chew through an electrical cable and then cause a house fire, would I be correct in saying that the damage caused to the cabling from the vermin would not be covered, however any damage caused to contents / buildings as a result of the fire WOULD be covered as this would then fall under the fire aspect of the insurance policy?

I asked Tesco Bank through Facebook Messenger and they stated that it would not be covered, however for a concrete answer, they told me to send the question to their claims team which I have just done. 

I’m just wondering what other people’s take on this is? Surely if vermin caused a house fire, I wouldn’t be left homeless?

Mickey666

I think it’s the actual vermin damage that is not insured, I think the consequential damage would be.
I once had a ceiling fall down because of a water leak.  The actual plumbing problem was wear and tear and not covered by my insurance but the ceiling damage was covered.  So, £50’s worth of plumbing repair wasn’t covered but the £2000-ish for the ceiling repairs and redecoration was fully covered.
But if you’re really concerned, check with your insurer in writing.

eddddy

FWIW, if you have a fairly modern consumer unit with RCD circuit breakers, the RCD should trip before there is a chance of a fire starting.

Ironically, the RCD would probably also save the rat's or mouse's life, if it had gnawed through both live and earth cables and touched them both.

Older style fuse boxes might be a greater fire risk, especially if a fuse wire has been incorrectly replaced.

But a rather alarming story about vermin chewing through a lead gas pipe: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/6936637.stm

virginblue4

Mickey666 said:

I think it’s the actual vermin damage that is not insured, I think the consequential damage would be.
I once had a ceiling fall down because of a water leak.  The actual plumbing problem was wear and tear and not covered by my insurance but the ceiling damage was covered.  So, £50’s worth of plumbing repair wasn’t covered but the £2000-ish for the ceiling repairs and redecoration was fully covered.
But if you’re really concerned, check with your insurer in writing.

Thanks for your reply. Your story is the understanding that I had of the situation. I’ve emailed my insurance provider for clarification. 

eddddy said:

FWIW, if you have a fairly modern consumer unit with RCD circuit breakers, the RCD should trip before there is a chance of a fire starting.

Ironically, the RCD would probably also save the rat's or mouse's life, if it had gnawed through both live and earth cables and touched them both.

Older style fuse boxes might be a greater fire risk, especially if a fuse wire has been incorrectly replaced.

But a rather alarming story about vermin chewing through a lead gas pipe: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/6936637.stm

That’s good news, I had a new consumer unit fitted 6 months ago whilst having the kitchen renovated. I had seen the same story, very scary!

BarrySmart

Mickey666 said:

I think it’s the actual vermin damage that is not insured, I think the consequential damage would be.
I once had a ceiling fall down because of a water leak.  The actual plumbing problem was wear and tear and not covered by my insurance but the ceiling damage was covered.  So, £50’s worth of plumbing repair wasn’t covered but the £2000-ish for the ceiling repairs and redecoration was fully covered.
But if you’re really concerned, check with your insurer in writing.

Similar situation to mine, weeks of hired humidifier costs, ceilings , walls and flooring the insurance paid for. However the pipe damage I had to cover.