[KatyKate72]

Hi
Does anyone have any experience with mice damaging their car and whether to claim on insurance?
My Skoda Yeti has been in the garage a lot this year, 3 times in the last 2 months. A chewed water pipe, a chewed vacuum pipe, chewed seats, warning lights on dashboard sporadically and it is still not right. A garage recently told me it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack to find out which wires had been damaged and I should possibly speak to my insurance company about writing it off but this seemed quite dramatic. Am I just throwing money away by constantly fixing the damage though if I can't get rid of the mice? For context I live in a very rural area, have trapped mice in the car and have lots of nibbled evidence in the car and under the bonnet.
Hope someone can advise.
Thank you

[olduser]

If you have Comprehensive insurance you may be covered, look in the Terms and Condition to see if damage by rodents is included, there is a real risk though that any future insurance from that address will be increased if you claim.

Try a car electrician for the electrical repairs.

Prevention is the best way - bait traps with a strong smelling bait around the car.
Make the car smell of peppermint, or mothballs, or there are some commercial available mouse repellents. Your local council may help, reduce the mouse population.

Good Luck.

[Drivingforfun]

@olduser Is this the real reason people often have a Bagpuss on their parcel shelf??

[olduser]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

@olduser Is this the real reason people often have a Bagpuss on their parcel shelf??

I am not sure mice watch children's TV.😉

[Rolebama]

This is hearsay. I have no personal experience.

I have never heard of a car insurance covering rodent damage. I have, however heard of people claiming off house insurance. I don't know, but I would imagine this could be easier if the garage is built onto the house.

[KatyKate72]

Thanks all. I tried the mint option on cotton wool balls all round the car and whilst it smelt lovely, it didn't deter them, in fact they shredded the cotton balls 😞 and although I have a garage the car can't fit in there and that is full of mice too! 😩
I will try a car electrician before and if I contact my insurers.

[KatyKate72]

My garage isn't next to the house either so not sure i could claim anyway but might just check that. Thank you

[Nick]

Hi @KatyKate72 - we posted this post and related article back in October.

Typically most insurers will cover this, assuming that you have Comprehensive cover - but its worth checking with your insurer specifically as there will no doubt be variations of that. It's also worth checking whether or not it's actually worth claiming for - what's the cost versus how much your excess to pay is (this is the first £XXX of the cost of repairs that you are responsible for), along with any effect on your No Claims Bonus (NCB)