When a Raccoon Moves Into Your Attic — Are You Technically a Landlord?

So it’s 2 a.m. in your Seattle home. Rain is gently tapping on the windows. You’re dozing off, cozy and warm under the covers, when you hear it. Scratch scratch. Thump. Thump thump thump. Nope, that’s not Santa on the roof. That’s a raccoon in your attic. 

Welcome to Washington, where the trees are tall, the moss is thick, and apparently, raccoons think your house is a deluxe Airbnb. But here’s the million-dollar question. If the raccoon moves in, tears up your insulation, and starts a little family above your ceiling, are you now … a landlord? 

Let’s walk through this furry nightmare together. You’ll laugh a bit, cry a little, and most importantly, figure out what your homeowners insurance will and won’t do about it. 

Unwanted Tenants — When Wildlife Takes Over Your Home

Raccoons, squirrels, mice … oh my. They’re all adorable at the zoo or on TikTok. But when they’re in your attic, chewing wires and pooping in corners, the cuteness wears off real fast. In the Pacific Northwest, animals aren’t shy. Raccoons, especially, are bold little burglars. They’ll pry open vents, squeeze through tiny holes, and make themselves at home. 

Your attic? It’s warm. It’s dry. It has chewable things and nesting materials. To a critter, it’s a five-star resort with free room service and no checkout date. You might hear strange noises at night. Maybe find shredded insulation. Or worse, notice your heating bill has suddenly skyrocketed because a family of squirrels turned your ductwork into a jungle gym. Congratulations. You’ve got tenants. And no, they’re not paying rent. 

Does Home Insurance Cover Wildlife Damage?

Okay, let’s get serious for a second. When these wild party crashers cause damage, does your home insurance help? The answer is: sometimes. It’s all about reading the fine print of your policy to see what is and isn’t covered. 

Wear and Tear vs. Sudden Damage — The Insurance Fine Print

If the damage is sudden and accidental, like a raccoon tears through your roof during a storm or a squirrel chews a wire and starts a fire, then you might be covered. Insurance companies are more willing to help when the problem happens all at once and isn’t something you could’ve easily stopped. It’s not exactly the same as how the Game of Life handles insurance — you don’t just get slapped with a bill in the mail when something terrible happens. 

But if the damage happens slowly, like mice chewing for months or a raccoon living rent-free while raising raccoon babies, your insurance probably won’t pay. Most policies don’t cover “wear and tear” or problems you “should’ve noticed.” So, some vigilance on these issues might be a good idea. 

Oh, and pest control? Totally on you. If you need to hire someone to trap, remove, or evict the critter, your wallet’s on the hook. Even if the animal wrecked your attic, the removal is usually not part of the insurance deal. 

So, let’s go down the list: 

• Does home insurance cover animal damage? Yes, but it depends.

• Does home insurance cover raccoon damage? Yes, if you noticed the issue quickly.

• Does home insurance cover squirrel damage? See above.

• Does home insurance cover mouse damage? This one’s a lot iffier and might fall more into pest control than claims territory.

You might be wondering: does home insurance cover pest control? In most cases, it doesn’t — homeowners are generally responsible for the costs of trapping and removal. 

Common Types of Damage Caused by Wildlife

The most common problems homeowners up here in the PNW face when it comes to wildlife (and some of the most unique challenges for PNW insurers) include structural damage from animals creating or enlarging entry points into your home via walls and ceilings, foundation cracks from burrowing animals, electrical damage from chewed wires, and — while this is a bit gross, it needs to be said — feces and urine creating unsanitary conditions in your home. 

Eviction Notice — How to Remove a Raccoon (Legally)

Let’s say you’re ready to kick the raccoon out. Can you just march up there with a flashlight and a broom like you’re starring in a wildlife-themed action movie? Not so fast. 

Raccoons are protected wildlife in Washington. That means you can’t harm them, trap them however you want, or throw them in the neighbor’s yard and run. You could get fined … or worse, bitten. Raccoons don’t exactly say “thank you” and leave peacefully. 

The best (and safest) move is to call a licensed wildlife removal expert. They’ll know the rules, have the gear, and won’t end up with a raccoon clinging to their face like a horror movie. They’ll also help you figure out how the animal got in, so it doesn’t happen again. And in case the pesky pest did some more damage (or, god forbid, caused injuries to people on your property), you might find that the invisible hand of umbrella insurance comes in handy. 

Prevention Is Key — How to Keep Raccoons Out for Good

Once the raccoon is gone, the real work begins. You need to raccoon-proof your house. Fix any roof holes or vents they used. Cut back tree limbs that act like bridges to your roof. Lock up your garbage like it’s gold. Basically, make your home as uninviting to critters as possible. Pretend you’re protecting your house from tiny burglars with fur. 

When the Raccoon Moves Out — Repairing the Damage and Restoring Peace

Even after the raccoon is evicted, the cleanup can be a beast. You might be facing chewed wires, soiled insulation, broken shingles, or damaged HVAC systems. And then there’s the smell. Ever sniffed raccoon droppings? No? Consider yourself lucky. 

At this point, your homeowners insurance might step in, if the damage meets the “sudden and accidental” rule. If your claim is denied, it’s not the end of the world. You can appeal, get a second opinion, or call in a public adjuster. Just don’t ignore the damage. It won’t fix itself, and future claims might be denied if you let it fester. 

If the Raccoon’s Not Paying Rent, Vern Fonk’s Got You Covered

Let’s be honest. You didn’t ask for this drama. You didn’t hand a raccoon a lease and a set of keys. But you can make sure you’re protected next time something furry decides to break into your attic. 

That’s where Vern Fonk comes in. We help Washington homeowners find the kind of insurance that’s ready for real life … even when real life includes critters with thumbs and bad manners. 

If you want a policy that won’t leave you high and dry when your home turns into a wildlife motel, check us out. We’ve got your back. Because if the raccoon’s not paying rent, someone better help you clean up the mess. 

Get a quote today, give us a call at (800) 455-8276, or visit our offices to get started!