Does home insurance cover damage caused by wasps (or the cost of removing a wasp nest)?
Quick answer (TL;DR)
| Where the problem happens | What our core Buildings & Contents insurance does | Extra help you can add |
|---|---|---|
| Damage caused by wasps (chewed timber, plaster, wiring, etc.) | Not covered. All policies exclude loss or damage “caused by vermin, insects, pets” – and wasps count as insects. | n/a |
| Getting a nest removed inside the home | Not covered under Buildings/Contents. | Our FREE Home Emergency cover (included automatically) will pay up to £250 per call-out to make the home safe and remove pests such as wasps. |
| Bigger infestations or nests in hard-to-reach areas | n/a | Home Emergency Plus (optional upgrade) raises the call-out limit to £1,000 |
Why normal Buildings & Contents insurance won’t pay for wasp damage
The policy’s general exclusions list any loss or damage “caused by vermin, insects or pets.” Once an event is on that list, it’s outside the cover – even if the insects later trigger other problems such as damp, staining or minor structural decay.
Important nuance: if a completely separate insured peril follows (e.g. a lightning strike sets the loft on fire), the fire damage is covered; but repairing the original insect damage to joists or insulation is not.
How Home Emergency cover helps
- Rapid call-out: A specialist pest-control contractor is dispatched 24/7.
- Make-safe first: They’ll locate and neutralise the nest and seal obvious entry points so you can safely re-enter the area.
- Cost limits: Standard Home Emergency pays up to £250 per incident; Home Emergency Plus £1,000. Any cosmetic or structural repairs after removal fall back on you (or a separate Buildings claim if an insured peril – like fire – has occurred).
Staying protected – tips
- Act fast: The earlier you spot a nest (look for increased wasp traffic in and out of a single hole), the easier and cheaper the removal.
- Avoid DIY in lofts or cavities: Disturbing a nest can provoke swarms and cause wider damage; use the emergency helpline instead.
- Keep proof: Save any contractor invoices/photos in case you later need to show that professional removal was done.
Need more detail on Home Emergency options or next-step advice? Start a live chat with us now – we’re happy to help.