Fur, feathers and finesse: When animals make a claim more complicated

In insurance, we’re fairly relaxed about animals — until they become unpredictable. And that unpredictability tends to spike in spring. While most household policies exclude damage from “insects, vermin and pests,” it’s not always straightforward.

There’s no legal definition of vermin, but it typically refers to small, furry creatures that pose a risk to health — though some, like red squirrels and dormice, are protected species. Insects, meanwhile, get little sympathy from insurers, with most policies excluding damage caused by them entirely.

That said, our Home Emergency cover can offer valuable help — including removing wasp and hornet nests, or rats and mice inside the home.

Not your average claims

Our expert claims team has seen it all — from the slightly surreal to the surprisingly destructive. A few highlights:

• A fox chewing through a pair of Prada shoes left outside the back door

• A squirrel trapped inside over a weekend, causing thousands in damage to window frames and soft furnishings

• A family of badgers burrowing under a client’s swimming pool

• A pony kept (yes, actually) in the front room — not surprisingly, the timber flooring didn’t survive

• A teenage deer mistaking a valuable garden sculpture for a rival during rutting season

• A house fire caused by rats chewing through electrical wiring in the attic — now fully restored

  
  

A magpie’s eye for jewellery

One recent claim required a more unusual kind of investigation. A client living near a church noticed rooks, jackdaws and magpies nesting in nearby trees and chimney pots. One morning, after showering and leaving her diamond bracelet on the dressing table, she found a large black bird in her bedroom — and the bracelet gone.

Knowing these birds are notorious for collecting shiny objects, our Executive Claim Manager swiftly arranged a review. After confirming the details and investigating the possibility of the bird having flown in through the chimney, the claim was accepted — and settled in full within 12 business days.

What brokers should know

• Most standard home policies exclude damage from vermin, pests and insects, but our Home Emergency cover provides some limited support

• Liability for animals is typically limited to domestic pets and horses — so exotic animals may not be covered

• We regularly assist with unusual claims that fall outside the standard script, always applying common sense and empathy

  
  

With tailored solutions and personal service, we take pride in treating each case on its own merits — however unexpected the source of the damage might be.

Because when a magpie makes off with diamonds or a badger digs up a pool, your clients need more than a policy — they need an expert team who understands the true value of peace of mind.