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Does renters insurance cover rat damage?

I recently moved into a new apartment. I’ve noticed a good amount of damage caused by rats in the building. Will my renters insurance cover rat damage?

avatar
Jack Walsh · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m sorry to hear about the rat infestation, but
renters insurance
won’t cover rat damage as it’s your landlord’s responsibility to maintain the building.
Typically, rats and other rodents enter the building through structural weaknesses. Because of this, even most
home insurance policies
exclude coverage for rodents. Rodent damage is preventable, making it the building or homeowner’s duty to address it.
The best thing you can do is contact your landlord and explain the situation. Besides causing damage to the building, rat infestations can also aid in spreading disease, so it’s important to have the issue addressed promptly.
Finally, while reviewing and thinking about your renters insurance policy, you should also ensure you’re not overpaying for coverage by using
Jerry
. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and will even help you cancel your old policy.
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