The frigid temperatures of winter have us shivering even if we put on our warm clothes. The only saving grace in this terribly suffering climate is the sanctuary called home.
Ah, the home, the castle of all men, where each of us can take comfort from the cold of this brutal season!
With the above in mind, imagine the grievance of a family coming home from work during a particular cold snap. The welcome they found when they arrived at the door was not as welcoming as they would have liked. A horrible smell invaded his nostrils: the unmistakable putrid stench of a skunk.
Holding their noses, family members tried to locate any sign of black fur with a white stripe running through it. No visible sign, thankfully, of the dreaded species. But the undeniable powerful stench of skunk dew was there, everywhere, in every nook and cranny, on all three levels of the structure!
Braving the cold again, the trio got into their car and drove to the local grocery store to pick up any kind of sweet scent that could cover up and/or remove the stench.
Reality did not allow anyone with a healthy sense of smell to stay in that ‘castle’ for long. After strategically spraying the odor killer, the family spent the night at a neighbor’s house. The next morning, they entered his house with a good deal of trepidation. Fortunately, the smell had abated immensely.
When Mom opened the kitchen shutter and gasped, everyone knew why. Gathering around the window, family members gazed at the pitiful sight of a dead skunk on her lawn.
Dad called the animal control department to pick it up. And luckily, the smell dissipated more and more.
The only lingering thought was, “What if the smell couldn’t be contained? What if it had contaminated the house and all of its contents, rendering them unusable and the house uninhabitable? Would homeowners insurance step in to help?” ?”
Here’s what the insurance industry is saying about skunk damage.
Under the standard policy, you will be covered for any damage resulting from a wild animal. What fits under that particular classification? Well, not a mouse or a rat. These are called rodents. But yes, a skunk would fit the definition of a wild animal.
Therefore, in the single, uncomplicated event of property damage by a skunk, an incident that the homeowner could not have prevented, the related claim filed by the policyholder will most likely be honored and processed.
Naturally, not all occurrences are ‘black and white episodes’ (pun intended!), so it’s best to check with an informed independent agent about their coverage and how it relates to the likelihood of a wild event like the one mentioned. previously.
