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Esure Notes Pest and Vermin Infestations are Up - Do you know if you're insured?: We were all unsettled by the recent BBC television program about many of the unsanitary conditions that plague British hospitals. The news report highlighted problems not only with cleanliness, in fact, but with infestation of insects, rodents, and other vermin.

The problem is not confined to the medical facilities of the National Health Service, though. A home can become infested as well when rubbish accumulates in bins outside, as the creatures expand their radius of operation outside of the bins into residences. This situation has become pronounced as some local councils have opted to decrease the frequency of rubbish collections. While the move may reduce council expenses, it also serves to also increase the chances of infestation.

A June Telegraph article quoted a Central Science Laboratory report that confirmed a definitive link between accumulating urban rubbish and the risks of home infestation. esure confirms this emerging trend in a 3 July press release. There, Esure reported that in many English and Welsh councils, sightings of vermin have increased by 23% - in part brought on by a switch to less frequent rubbish collection. In Greater London, the increase was a dramatic 62%.

Though many homeowners may think that simply taking rubbish out of the house will reduce the risk of home vermin infestation, this is only partially true: if rubbish sits uncollected in bins outside a home for long periods, a risk of infestation of the surrounding homes increases greatly.

It is also not simply a matter of "dirty looking" creatures around the house. Rather, Dr. Peter Cotee of esure's Paragon Pestshield noted vermin are not only unsightly, but are a health hazard and decrease safety in the home by doing things such as chewing though wood and wiring.

Though less frequent rubbish collection is increasing the risk of home vermin infestation, some homeowners may be without the proper coverage to deal with this risk. Homeowners must note that a conventional home insurance policy may not cover pest and vermin damage. A home may be insured against structural damage (ex: through fire or flood), but this may not extend to the damage done by vermin, nor to the health hazard they pose when they are present without physically damaging a residence.

Calling in a service to get rid of vermin can be expensive. Further, if the infestation is related to the accumulation of rubbish outside a residence, re-infestation can occur soon after vermin are cleared - requiring yet another visit by pest control. Because of this risk, it's important to include pest control cover in any home insurance policy. esure's pest cover starts at £1.83 per month, only a fraction of the cost of a single visit by a pest control service. Homeowners in areas where rubbish is accumulating are at particular risk, and should seriously consider the benefits of adding pest control cover to their home insurance.

Maybe with all the money councils are saving by refusing to pick up our rubbish as frequently they could set up a free pest control service? The rise is mostly their fault anyway. †

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