Pest Control Insurance
Rats, mice or wasps? Get them dealt with
A pest infestation can appear from nowhere and needs prompt, specialist attention. Smart Cover's pest control insurance - part of our Home Emergency protection - provides emergency assistance for eligible infestations of rats, mice, wasps and hornets, with nationwide specialists.
Pest control insurance (also called pest infestation cover) is part of Smart Cover's Home Emergency protection. It provides emergency assistance for eligible infestations caused by black or brown rats, field or house mice, and wasps' or hornets' nests. The pest infestation benefit has an unlimited annual claim limit, with a per-claim limit of up to £1,000 (Premium) or £500 (Essential), and is included with the Smart Home Plus plan (£12.90 a month). Cover is for genuine pest emergencies rather than routine prevention or general maintenance, and is subject to policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.
Smart Boiler Essential
- Boiler Breakdown
- Boiler Service
- Central Heating
- Plumbing
- Drainage
- Electricals
- Pest Infestation
- Security & Lock Keys
Smart Heating Essential
- Boiler Breakdown
- Boiler Service
- Central Heating
- Plumbing
- Drainage
- Electricals
- Pest Infestation
- Security & Lock Keys
Smart Home Essential
- Boiler Breakdown
- Boiler Service
- Central Heating
- Plumbing
- Drainage
- Electricals
- Pest Infestation
- Security & Lock Keys
Smart Home Plus Essential
- Boiler Breakdown
- Boiler Service
- Central Heating
- Plumbing
- Drainage
- Electricals
- Pest Infestation
- Security & Lock Keys
Call UsWhat does pest infestation cover actually protect?
Pests such as rats, mice, wasps and hornets can appear quickly and cause real disruption. Rodents can gnaw wiring and contaminate food, while wasp and hornet nests can make part of your home unusable and pose a sting risk.
Standard home insurance often treats pest problems as a maintenance issue and excludes them, so the call-out and treatment cost usually falls to you. Pest control insurance is designed to fill that gap - giving you emergency assistance for eligible infestations, with an unlimited annual claim limit and a per-claim limit of up to £1,000.
Which pests are covered?
Smart Cover's pest infestation cover is designed for emergency infestations by the specific pests named in your policy.
Rats
Black or brown rats nesting around drains, foundations and cavities.
Mice
Field or house mice getting into wall cavities and quiet spaces.
Wasps
Wasps' nests in lofts, eaves, cavities and outbuildings.
Hornets
Hornets' nests needing careful, specialist removal.
Pests not named in your policy are not covered. Always check the policy wording, claim limits and exclusions to confirm which infestations qualify.
What's included, and what isn't
Every claim is assessed against your policy terms, chosen plan, excess and claim limits. Here's the general picture on pest infestation cover.
Typically included
- Infestations by black or brown rats
- Infestations by field or house mice
- Wasps' nests
- Hornets' nests
- Emergency assistance to treat eligible infestations
- Unlimited annual claim limit (per-claim limit up to £1,000)
Not included
- Any event that is not an emergency
- General maintenance and routine prevention
- Pests not named in your policy
- Pre-existing infestations or damage
- Issues that are not caused by unforeseen circumstances
- Damage repair beyond the terms of your plan
Cover levels vary by plan. Always refer to the comparison table, the policy Terms & Conditions and the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) before buying.
Signs of a pest infestation
Catching an infestation early makes it easier to deal with. Here's what to look and listen for with the pests covered under your plan.
Scratching & noises
Scratching, scurrying or gnawing sounds in walls, lofts or under floors - often at night - can point to rats or mice.
Droppings
Small dark droppings along skirting boards, in cupboards or near food are a common early sign of a rodent problem.
Gnaw marks & damage
Chewed wires, packaging, wood or pipes suggest rodents are active and gnawing to wear down their teeth.
Grease marks & runs
Greasy smudges and well-worn "runs" along walls or beams can mark the paths rodents use repeatedly.
Wasp activity
A steady stream of wasps to and from one spot in the roofline, loft or eaves usually means a nest is nearby.
Visible nests
A papery grey wasps' nest, or a larger hornets' nest, in a loft, shed or eaves is a clear sign to call for specialist help.
Wasps' or hornets' nest? Don't disturb it
Never try to remove a wasps' or hornets' nest yourself - disturbing one can provoke stings, which are dangerous if you have an allergy. Keep children and pets away, close nearby windows, and contact us to arrange safe removal under your plan.
How to make a pest infestation claim
If you have an eligible pest emergency under the Smart Home Plus plan, help is four steps away.
- 01
Call us
Ring our helpline on 03333 449 559 and tell us what you've spotted and where.
- 02
We assess
We check the pest and situation against your plan, excess, limits and terms to confirm it's covered.
- 03
Specialist booked
An approved pest specialist from our nationwide network is arranged to attend your home.
- 04
Infestation treated
The eligible infestation is treated so you can get your home back to normal.
Specialist help when pests won't wait
Pest infestation cover is built into Smart Home Plus, so you're not left to sort a rat, mouse, wasp or hornet problem alone.
Approved specialists
Pest specialists in our nationwide network are vetted before they're sent to treat your home.
Wasp & hornet safety
Guidance and safe removal for nests, without you having to disturb them yourself.
Price match promise
Find identical or better cover cheaper from another FCA-authorised provider and we'll aim to match it, subject to our Price Match Terms.
24/7 claims line
Pest problems don't wait for office hours, so our claims line doesn't either.
Not sure if you're covered for pests?
An insurance expert can explain the benefits and exclusions so you can choose the cover that's right for your home. Leave your details for a free, no-obligation call back.
Prefer to talk now? Call 03333 449 559.
Frequently asked questions
What insurance do I need for pest control?
If you want help with certain pest problems at home, you may need pest infestation cover as part of a home emergency cover policy. This cover is designed for eligible pest emergencies rather than routine prevention or general maintenance.
Depending on the plan, pest cover may help with infestations caused by black or brown rats, field or house mice, and wasps' or hornets' nests. Check which pests are included, what counts as an emergency, the claim limits, any excess, and the exclusions.
What pests are covered?
Smart Cover's pest infestation cover is designed for infestations caused by black or brown rats, field or house mice, and wasps' or hornets' nests.
Pests not named in your policy are not covered. The policy wording sets out exactly which infestations qualify, along with the claim limits and exclusions that apply.
How much does pest control insurance cost?
The cost can vary depending on the provider, level of cover, the excess you choose, and whether pest cover is included within a wider home emergency plan.
With Smart Cover, pest infestation cover is included in the Smart Home Plus plan, which starts from £12.90 a month and also covers boiler, heating, plumbing, electrics, drainage and security.
What is the claim limit for pest infestation cover?
Pest infestation cover sits within the Smart Home Plus plan's overall unlimited annual claim limit. The per-claim limit depends on the cover type you choose: up to £1,000 on Premium, or up to £500 on Essential.
All claims are subject to policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions, so it's worth reading your policy documents to understand exactly how the limits apply.
Is pest control covered by home insurance?
Standard home insurance does not always include pest control, so you should check your policy documents carefully. Some home insurance policies exclude pest infestations or treat them as a maintenance issue.
In other cases, pest infestation support may be available through a home emergency plan such as Smart Home Plus. If pest cover matters to you, confirm whether infestations by rats, mice, wasps or hornets are included, and check the exclusions, excess and claim limits.
Why is pest infestation cover important?
Pest infestation cover can be useful if you want help dealing with certain pest problems that need prompt attention. Pests such as rats, mice, wasps and hornets can cause disruption and may need specialist treatment.
With suitable cover, you may be able to access emergency assistance for eligible infestations, subject to your policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions. It's still important to maintain your property and take reasonable steps to prevent pests - insurance is not designed to replace regular maintenance or prevention.
Does pest cover include prevention or routine treatments?
No. Pest infestation cover is designed for genuine emergencies rather than routine prevention or general pest maintenance. General maintenance, prevention, pre-existing infestations, and pests not named in your policy are excluded.
Taking reasonable steps to keep your home pest-free - such as sealing gaps, storing food securely and clearing waste - remains your responsibility as a homeowner.
What should I do if I find a wasps' or hornets' nest?
Don't try to remove it yourself. Disturbing a nest can provoke stings, which are dangerous if anyone in the household has an allergy. Keep children and pets away, close nearby windows and doors, and avoid the area.
Then contact Smart Cover on 03333 449 559 so we can arrange safe removal under your plan, subject to policy terms, conditions and limits.
How do I make a pest infestation claim?
Call our helpline on 03333 449 559 and tell us what you've found and where. We'll check the situation against your plan, excess, limits and terms, then arrange an approved pest specialist from our nationwide network to attend.
Avoid arranging your own treatment before speaking to us, unless immediate action is needed to protect your household's safety.
