Termite Bond vs Warranty: Retreatment Only Or Repairs Too

A termite bond is not the same as homeowners insurance. A bond is an agreement with a termite company about retreatment or repair if termites return, while homeowners insurance is a separate policy with its own terms. Termite damage is often excluded from standard homeowners policies, but policy terms vary, so check your own policy rather than assuming either document covers what the other promises.

Whether a bond transfers when a home is sold depends on the document's terms, so no general promise is made here. Some bonds transfer to a new owner on notice or payment, while others end at sale or need a fresh inspection. Sellers should check transfer terms before listing, and buyers should ask for the bond paperwork, renewal dates, and inspection history as part of the sale documents.

Missing a renewal payment can end cover, depending on the document's grace terms, and some agreements need a fresh inspection before cover restarts. The risk is that termites returning after a lapse are treated as a new problem, not a bond claim. Note renewal dates when you sign, set a reminder, and ask the company what grace period, if any, applies before cover ends.

A bond normally does not cover damage found before treatment, because it promises action if termites return after the agreed treatment, not repair of old damage. Pre-existing damage needs a separate repair assessment by a contractor, priced from the treatment report. Ask the pro to record what damage existed at inspection, so later claims can distinguish old damage from new damage clearly.

Whether a bond covers outbuildings, sheds, fences, and decks depends on the document, which usually names the covered structures. Some bonds cover the main home only, while others list additional structures for an added fee. Check the named structures before assuming a shed or deck is covered, and ask what added cover costs if those structures matter to you.

If termites return under a bond, contact the company promptly, describe the signs and where they appeared, and avoid disturbing galleries or spraying the area before inspection. The company inspects under the bond terms and decides whether retreatment, repair, or both apply. Keep photos, notes, and the bond paperwork together, because a clear record helps the claim and distinguishes new activity from old damage.

Yes, inspections are usually still needed with a bond in place, and many bonds require them to keep cover valid. Inspections catch returning activity early, check that soil treatment and barriers remain intact, and update the record of the home's condition. Skipping inspections can end cover and lets a colony grow unnoticed, so follow the inspection schedule in the document even when no signs are visible.

Whether repair cover is worth the extra cost depends on your home's damage risk, the repair costs you could face, and how reliably you will keep renewals and inspections up. Repair of framing, joists, or subflooring can be costly, so cover that includes repair changes the risk greatly. Weigh the added fee against that risk, read the caps and exclusions, and choose from the inspection findings rather than from price alone.

Before signing a bond, ask whether it covers retreatment only or repair as well, what the renewal fee and dates are, which structures are named, what exclusions apply, and what happens if termites return. Ask for the full document in writing, and for each answer to be pointed out in the text. A pro who explains terms plainly before signing is a better sign than a promise given only in conversation.