Mice are infamous for creating nests inside parked vehicles and chewing on electrical wires. This behavior can make your vehicle unsafe to operate, or even inoperable. The question is whether you can file an insurance claim for mice in car resulting in repair costs or not, especially if you have full coverage. In short, the answer is affirmative. If you have comprehensive coverage, damage caused by rodents like mice may be covered by your insurance. Otherwise, paying for the repairs will come from your pocket.
Insurance claim for mice in car: is your car covered?
If you have comprehensive insurance, the costs to repair the damage inflicted by mice that enter your car may be covered. On the other hand, if you don’t have comprehensive coverage, you’ll be responsible for paying for the repairs yourself.
Comprehensive insurance offers protection for your vehicle against a variety of damages, including fire, extreme weather, vandalism, theft, falling objects, and animal damage when the car is not in use. However, damage caused by rodents gnawing on your car’s electrical wiring may not always be covered by comprehensive insurance.
To determine if your policy covers such damages, review your policy and the specific terms of your comprehensive coverage.
In most states in the U.S., comprehensive coverage, which is different from liability insurance, is not mandatory.
“Full coverage” refers to an auto insurance policy that covers liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. Before your insurance company covers the repair costs of damage caused by mice in car, you’ll likely have to pay a deductible, which is usually $500 or $1,000.
The deductible amount is often customizable, with lower deductibles resulting in higher monthly premiums and vice versa.
How to file insurance claim for mice in car
To file insurance claim for mice in car, follow these steps:
1. Assess the damage
The first step in addressing mice damage to your car is to assess the type and severity of the damage.
Mice can cause problems in various ways, such as lighting up the check engine light or preventing the car from starting due to nibbling on the electrical wiring.
Even if there are signs of mice activity, such as droppings or paw prints, it is important to take your car to a trusted technician to confirm that rodents are the cause of the issue.
2. Contact your insurance company
After identifying the damage, you should reach out to your insurance company, either through their website or by phone, to inform them that you wish to file an insurance claim for mice in car.
Before filing a claim for mice damage to your vehicle, make sure you have the following information at hand:
- Your policy number
- Photographic evidence of the damage caused by rodents
- Information on where your car was stored and when the damage occurred.
3. An adjuster will assess the situation
The insurance company will assign an adjuster to handle your claim. They will guide you through the next steps in the process. Keep all relevant documentation and information as you move forward with the claims procedure. This includes:
- Receipts for any related expenses.
- Photos of the damage caused by the rodents.
- Any additional paperwork that may be useful during the claims process.
4. Insurance claim approval
Your car insurance company likely maintains a list of preferred repair businesses that you may choose to use. Although you are not required to use one of their authorized repair businesses, doing so can simplify the claims process and speed up the final payment.
Your insurance company will require proof of these precautions, so it is essential to keep thorough records and present them to the insurance company when making your claim.
How to know about your comprehensive coverage
Check your documents. Examine your declarations page, which serves as a concise overview of your policy. Your declarations page will specify the types of coverage you have and any deductibles you’ll need to pay.
This document is typically located at the beginning of your policy. A standard full coverage auto insurance policy typically includes the following components:
a. Injury liability
This aspect of your liability coverage will provide compensation for medical expenses incurred by someone you injure in a car accident.
b.Property damage liability
This component of liability coverage will cover the cost of property damage you cause in an accident.
c. Medical payments
In the event of an accident, this coverage will pay for medical expenses incurred by you or your passengers.
d. Uninsured/underinsured motorist
If you’re involved in an accident caused by a driver who has limited or no car insurance, this policy will cover your expenses.
e. Comprehensive insurance
This coverage provides protection against damage to your car when it is not in use.
f. Collision insurance
This coverage will pay for repairs to your car in the case of a collision, regardless of who was at fault.
You can likely access the declaration page of your auto insurance company through their mobile app or online platform. Alternatively, you can request a copy by contacting your insurance provider over the phone.
How to keep mice out of your car
The best action is to prevent mice damage in car in the first place. Follow the simple steps below to stop mice from getting into your car:
1. Seal holes in your garage
If you park your car in a garage, make sure it is properly sealed and that any holes or cracks are filled with sheet metal or steel mesh.
2. Eliminate mice food sources
Food attracts pests, so keep food away from your car and ensure your garbage is securely contained.
3. Repel mice with ultrasonic devices
Ultrasonic repellents emit high-frequency noises that are designed to keep rats away, so consider keeping one in your garage.
4. Don’t leave your car parked for too long
Drive your car regularly to discourage mice from coming in. Generally, taking your car for a drive at least once a week can help prevent mice from breaking in. If you need to leave your car unattended for an extended period, consider purchasing a car cover for added protection.
5. Keep your surroundings clean
Your car staying clean is great but also clean the area where it is parked. Overflowing garbage cans or untrimmed grass can often attract rodents, so ensure that any garbage cans near your car are properly sealed and regularly emptied. If you continue to experience issues with mice entering your car, consider covering it with a mesh material.
6. Protect the car engine
Prevent rodents from accessing your engine by using wire screens or traps over the wheels. You can also protect your car’s wiring by wrapping it in rat-resistant tape.
7. Switch to another parking location
Parking your car inside a garage will greatly reduce the likelihood of rodent intrusion. Be sure to seal any holes in the garage walls and check the plants stored in the garage as well. If indoor parking is not an option, try to park in an open area or on a paved road and avoid areas with tall grass, shrubs, or drains.
What damage do mice cause in car?
One of the primary concerns with mice in a car is the damage they can cause to the electrical wiring. If you park your car in the same place for an extended period, mice can take advantage of the opportunity to get inside and even build nests in areas such as the engine compartments, climate control ducts, trunks, and paneling using available materials.
Once inside, mice will chew on the car wires near their nest, which can compromise your car’s functionality and safety and even render it unusable. This can result in significant repair costs.
One reason why mice may chew on car parts is due to their constantly growing front teeth, which require them to chew on things to wear them down. Humans can’t regrow their adult teeth but every 35-45 days, mice wear down and completely renew their four front teeth or incisors.
Mice can also cause damage to other parts of your car, such as interiors, plastic panels, cables, hoses, and belts, by chewing and scratching. They can also bring debris into the car and hide in areas such as around the engine or AC ducts, impacting the car’s functionality.
Having comprehensive car insurance is essential in covering the costs associated with rodent damage to your vehicle by mice. Make sure to follow the proper procedures when filing a claim to ensure a successful outcome.
