MA Homeowners Insurance & Professional Pest Control Services

Side view of a small, cute wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus, sniffing on the cheese bait on a mouse trap, pest control

Many responsibilities come with homeownership in Southeastern Massachusetts. Taking care of your property throughout the seasons is just as essential as having quality MA homeowners insurance to protect your investment. There are many advantages to owning your own home instead of renting. Still, it is crucial for new homeowners to take time to learn all they can about the responsibilities and potential issues that can become quite costly if they aren’t taken care of properly. Snow and ice storms in winter, windstorms that knock trees into roofing and power lines, rainstorms that bring flooded basements and washed out driveways – the list is never-ending.

Working with professional service providers can take a lot of the guesswork out of homeownership. Your local New Bedford home insurance policy can cover a wide range of potential damages and disasters, but if you neglect to provide proper maintenance for the systems within your home, the costs might not be covered. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and insulation, along with landscaping and tree trimming, often top the list of services that homeowners will contract out to the pros. However, there is one service that homeowners should consider that will protect their home from potential damage year-round. No matter where you live in Southeastern Massachusetts, pest control can help to keep insects and rodents out of your home and away from your family, pets, and essential systems.

Pest Infestations and MA Homeowners Insurance

One of the most frequent questions asked by new homeowners is whether their New Bedford home insurance policy covers pest infestations or not. Each claim is unique, and there are certain situations where an infestation might be covered and others where it would not. For the most part, home insurance in New Bedford does not cover the removal of pests or damage that is caused by pests. Mice chewing away at electrical wires, insects crawling in through utility access points, raccoons nesting in loose-fill insulation in the attic, beg bugs in your brand new sofa – there are lots of ways that pests can hurt you, your family, your pets, and your home.

The truth is most insurance companies view pest infestations as a symptom of poor maintenance. A home that is well maintained will likely have monthly or quarterly pest control service as a preventive measure. While there are instances that can occur unexpectedly, such as your dog getting fleas from the groomer’s or wood-boring beetles coming in with a new piece of imported furniture, there are other remedies that will help you to recover your losses outside of your MA homeowners insurance policy. A direct appeal to the groomer or furniture store should provide you with some compensation. While these pests are not typically on the list for pest control services, they can and should be treated immediately as they occur through professional means to prevent further damage.

Preventive Maintenance Services

The more you can do as a homeowner to prevent potential issues from happening, the less damage you will experience. Covered or not, it pays to avoid the inconvenience of having to get things repaired or replaced in your home. If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, taking time to go over your New Bedford insurance policy with your trusted agent can be worth its weight in gold. Unexpected damages can occur at any time, and it is in your best interest to speak with your insurance agency in New Bedford to find out what is covered, what isn’t, and whether you might be able to get additional coverage to protect you from risks outside of your current plan.

Hiring a professional pest control company is one of the best ways to invest in your home. It can prevent mice, rats, and other rodents from getting into your home during the winter months. The damage that can be caused by these pests goes beyond chewed wires and nesting inside insulation; they can carry disease, and their chewing and digging can result in a house fire. Termites, cockroaches, ants, silverfish, fleas, and even bees are other types of pests that can damage your home and be a danger to your family. When you hire a pest control company, make sure to let your agent know so they can note it in your file for MA homeowners insurance. Other ways to reduce your risk include eliminating clutter around your home, make sure all gaps around the outside of the house are sealed and have your home checked for possible infestations at least once a year.

Contact Borden Insurance Agency for a FREE quote for home insurance in New Bedford. Since 1909, we have proudly served the Southcoast region of Massachusetts with quality MA homeowners insurance. Our goal is to provide clients with comprehensive insurance solutions designed to protect the things that matter most. Call today and speak with one of our agents to ask questions, learn more about our insurance opportunities, or obtain a New Bedford home insurance policy at 508-999-3636.