The frigid winter temperatures have us shivering even if we put on warm clothes. The only saving grace from this terribly suffering climate is the sanctuary called home.
Ah, the home, the castle of all men, where each one of us can console himself from the cold of this brutal season!
With the above in mind, imagine the grievance of a family returning home from work during a particular cold snap. The welcome they found when they reached the gate was not as welcoming as they would have liked. A horrible odor filled 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, fortunately, of the dreaded species. But the undeniably powerful stench of skunk spray 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 supermarket to buy any kind of sweet smell that might cover up and/or eliminate the stench.
Reality did not allow anyone with a healthy sense of smell to stay in that ‘castle’ for long. After strategically spraying the anti-odours, the family spent the night at a neighbor’s house. The next morning, they entered his house with a good dose of trepidation. Fortunately, the smell had subsided immensely.
When Mom opened the kitchen blind and gasped, everyone knew why. Gathering around the window, the family members gazed at the pitiful sight of a dead skunk on her lawn.
Dad called animal control to remove it. And luckily, the smell dissipated more and more.
The only lingering thought was, “What if the odor couldn’t be contained? What if it had contaminated the house and all its contents, rendering them unusable and the house uninhabitable? Would homeowners insurance step in to help?” ?”
Here’s what the insurance industry says about skunk damage.
Under the standard policy, you will be covered for any damage that results 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 unique and uncomplicated case of property being damaged by a skunk, an incident that the homeowner could not have prevented, the related claim filed by the property owner will most likely be accepted and processed. policy.
Naturally, not all events are ‘black and white episodes’ (pun intended!), so it’s best to check with a knowledgeable independent agent about their coverage and how it relates to the likelihood of a wild event like the one mentioned. previously.
