Damage caused by ants, termites, vermin, etc.

Does the body corporate’s insurance policy cover damage to an owner’s section or common property resulting from an infestation of ants, termites, rats, birds, etc.?

The short answer is “No”.

Exclusions

Firstly, there is no requirement in terms of prescribed management rules to cover such events.

Secondly, most policies usually exclude this event or peril. One of the most prominent sectional title insurer’s policy wording specifically excludes damages caused by or resulting from “domestic pets, primates, birds, vermin or insects.” Owners’ pets, dogs, cats, escaped snakes, hamsters and so on also causing damage are usually also specifically excluded.

A few typical exclusions or situations tried and tested, but not normally covered:

• Ants and termites damaging fittings, usually kitchen cupboards
• Nests in or below flooring, particularly wooden floors or paving
• Rats or rodents that chew wiring (electronic systems, cables, switches)
• Nests in an electrical switch or plug areas
• Cats scratching
• Dogs chewing doors or door frames (Guy Fawkes is often the cause of this)
• Birds or lice in ceilings
• Baboons or monkeys “breaking” windows, damaging property, etc.

Vermin exclusions

Vermin exclusions can be troublesome for property owners when the business that operates on the property is a restaurant, pet store, grocer, or another operation that is known to attract pests. Vermin will generally not limit their occupancy to the area that initially attracted them but tends to spread throughout the entire property. Vermin can be difficult and costly to get rid of and could pose liability issues for the property owner.