I have bedbugs! Does my tenant insurance cover me?

Bed bugs are never a good sign. Sometimes, an infestation can cause feelings of shame or guilt—and also worry. Your home is supposed to be a safe haven, which can be hard to believe if you suddenly find yourself sharing your apartment with a family of insects. It can be difficult, even embarrassing, to tell your friends that you have a bed bug infestation.

Does tenant insurance cover bedbugs or infestations?

The short answer? No, homeowners insurance—and any branch of a homeowners insurance policy—is designed to protect you against "events" like theft of your property or a complaint being filed against you. Renters insurance will not cover you for problems resulting from a lack of maintenance or general wear and tear. Typically, in the case of an infestation, there is evidence of poor maintenance, or a unit has been left vacant for a period of time and exposed to this preventable problem.

Who is responsible for the problem? How can you prevent an infestation – and what can you do if one occurs? We'll answer these questions shortly.

Can my landlord be held responsible for an infestation?

In most cases, it is extremely unlikely that your landlord will be held liable for an infestation. There may be exceptions to this, for example, if the building where you live has a bedbug problem in one of the common areas and it eventually spreads to the individual units. If this is the case, your landlord will likely be held responsible. However, the costs incurred due to a bedbug infestation would not be covered by your tenant's insurance policy, and you may have to seek compensation from your landlord. Chances are that if a building has a pest problem, your landlord will be proactive in addressing it before it can cause more significant damage. Furthermore, many landlords will take all necessary precautions to avoid dealing with bedbugs, especially since it can make it difficult for them to rent out properties.

How can I prevent an infestation?

Tenant insurance does not cover you against infestations or bedbugs, as these problems fall into the "preventable" category. Your landlord and insurer generally expect you to take care of your accommodation as best you can, meaning that you assess the damage, contact your landlord to arrange for necessary repairs, and repair what you can yourself.

How can you prevent an infestation? Here are some tips to reduce the places where an infestation can accumulate or hide:

• Eliminate clutter or organize your space;
• Remove any peeling or cracked wallpaper;
• If you see cracks on wooden furniture or bed frames, seal them - also check your baseboards, walls, door frames, windows and ceilings;
• Vacuum as often as you can, especially under furniture and under beds;
• Assess if there are any entry points on your walls that you share with common areas or with your neighbors that would allow access to the inside of the walls;
• Tighten the loose electrical front plates.

Another way to prevent an infestation is to be careful about what you bring into your home. See the list below for examples:

• Check any item purchased for the first time, especially if it comes from a second-hand store, antique shop, or garage sale;
• As tempting as it may be, never use a mattress or piece of furniture that came for free from someone else's curb;
• Even new mattresses will be delivered in the same truck that transports old ones, so check your new mattress before it is delivered to your home;
• If you are using your vehicle to help a friend move, inspect it thoroughly once you have finished or check items as they are being loaded into your car.

How can I check my house if I suspect I have an infestation?

Catching an infestation as early as possible is the best way to prevent more serious damage later. Regular inspections are a good way to prevent infestations, but if you suspect an infestation is starting, you can check your home with a flashlight, screwdrivers, and an old credit card to scrape the seams of your mattress, for example.

You can also use rubbing alcohol or baby wipes to check if the stains you see on your mattresses or furniture are bed bug droppings (sometimes, when rubbed, bed bug droppings dissolve into a reddish-brown color). You can also use white plastic bags to seal your belongings. Look under or next to your bed and furniture for black or brown stains, white spots, or even live or dead bed bugs.

If you have a pet, it's a good idea to check the areas your pet frequents for any signs of bed bugs. Expand your search if you find clear signs of bed bugs.

If your apartment or unit has been infested with insects, it's a good idea to consult a professional exterminator to take care of your rental unit. While the best way to prevent an infestation is to maintain your unit and clean it as often as possible or as needed, sometimes things slip through the cracks—(and in the case of an infestation, literally!). Be aware that if bed bugs are hiding in your light fixtures or coming through your door frame, they're entering through the room above or the common hallways.

Keep calm.

Finally, if you suspect an infestation, don't panic. See if you can photograph or even trap any bed bugs you find on your property and call a pest control professional who will develop a solid plan for you and any roommates you live with. Don't throw everything away immediately! Wait for the professionals to advise you on what to do before making any rash decisions, and proceed step by step. Remember, you're not alone! Many apartment dwellers have already experienced infestations, and many more will in the years to come.