If a Rodent Chews Up Wires in Your Car, Are You Protected By Insurance and How Do We Prevent It?

Squirrels—and other rodents—sometimes take shelter by climbing up inside a car, under the hood. Squirrels’ teeth never stop growing, they constantly gnaw on things to help keep them from getting too long. Sometimes, when they’re hiding out in a car, they choose to chew on the wires—which can cause electrical problems in your car.

How can you know when a squirrel has decided to camp out under your hood and chew on your car wiring? It isn’t always easy to tell, but if your check engine light comes on, or your car doesn’t start, those are possible symptoms. Your mechanic will need to examine the car to determine whether squirrels were the culprits.

If a rodent does mistake your car wiring for a chew toy, is the damage covered by your auto insurance? The answer depends on the coverage’s you purchased as part of your car insurance policy.

A key step toward knowing whether damage from squirrels or other rodents might be covered under your auto insurance policy is to double-check whether you have comprehensive coverage. This type of coverage helps protect you against damage that’s not caused by a collision—and that often includes damage from animals, such as squirrels.

Comprehensive coverage is an optional coverage on an auto insurance policy, although if you lease your car or are still paying toward your auto loan, your leaseholder or lender may require it. If it’s not required in your case, you may choose to add comprehensive coverage to your auto insurance policy, to help protect your car in case of damage or losses not related to a collision, such as animal damage, theft, fire, and other causes. If you’re not sure whether you have comprehensive coverage, read your policy or check with your insurance agent.

Here at A&M Auto we see many damaged wiring systems caused by hungry rodents. Sometimes the damage can cause shorting of computer modules, connecters vacuum lines, and other major system damage. We work with all major insurance companies to repair these systems fast and ease the process for you. All our wiring repair connections are soldered so vibrations and heat expansion won’t cause connections to come loose, then we cover with a heat-shrink wrapping to prevent corrosion and water penetration and wrap in a rodent-proof tape. We do it right. Ask your insurance company to send your vehicle to A&M AUTO in BELLEVUE at 13551 South East 27th Place, Bellevue, WA 98005 - it is your right to choose your repair shop.

We recommend the use of anything containing “capsaicin” such as Cayenne pepper, sprinkled around the outside perimeter of auto and inside engine compartment. Rodents are creatures of habit so you’ll need to park the vehicle in a different location for a while.