You store your side-by-side in the barn for the winter. In the spring, you open it up and find a mouse nest in the airbox.
They’ve chewed through the main wiring harness ($1,500) and destroyed your custom seats ($800).
You call insurance. They say, “We don’t cover vermin.”
Key Takeaways
- The “Animal” vs. “Vermin” Distinction: Hitting a deer is covered (Comprehensive). A rat eating wires is often excluded as “maintenance” or “infestation.”
- Read the Exclusions: Some premium policies do cover rodent damage, but budget policies almost always exclude it.
- Total Loss Risk: A chewed main harness often totals a modern UTV because the labor to strip the chassis is massive.
- Prevention is the only cure: If your policy excludes it, you have zero recourse.
The “Why” (The Trap): Gradual Damage
Insurance covers “sudden and accidental” loss. An infestation happens over months. Insurers view this as a failure of storage/maintenance.
The Clause:
“We do not cover loss caused by nesting, infestation, or discharge of waste by insects, birds, rodents, or other animals.”
The Investigation: Finding Coverage
I checked the “Comprehensive” terms for 2026.
Progressive
- Good News: In many states, their Comprehensive coverage does cover rodent damage, provided you have Comprehensive on the policy.
Geico / Allstate
- Mixed: Often depends on the specific state endorsement. I have seen denials from both for “vermin.”
Safeco
- Warning: Some policies have specific “Winter Storage” clauses that reduce coverage to Fire/Theft only, dropping the animal damage protection.
Comparison Table: Rodent Damage
| Carrier/Type | Rodent Wiring Damage | Rodent Seat Damage |
| Budget Policy | Excluded (Vermin) | Excluded |
| Premium Policy (Comp) | Covered (Subject to Deductible) | Covered |
| Homeowners | Excluded (Motor Vehicle) | Excluded |
[IMAGE: Photo of a chewed-up wiring harness with a mouse nest inside a UTV dashboard]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Check Policy Now: Search your PDF for “Vermin,” “Rodent,” or “Nesting.” If it’s in the Exclusions, buy dryer sheets and mothballs.
- Inspect Monthly: Don’t leave it for 6 months. Start it up. Check the glovebox.
- Comprehensive Coverage: You must have Comprehensive (Other than Collision) active during storage. If you dropped coverage to save money in winter, you are uninsured.
- Repair Correctly: Do not just tape the wires. Modern UTVs use CAN-bus systems. Resistance changes from bad repairs will cause endless check engine lights.
FAQ
Is the cleanup covered?
If the damage is covered, the cleanup (removing mouse droppings/sanitizing) is usually part of the repair labor.