If your vehicle has rodent damage, or there have been signs of rodents in your vehicle, you can make a claim with Manitoba Public Insurance. During a rodent claim, take the following steps:
- Contact Manitoba Public Insurance to open a claim.
- Contact any commercial exterminator or remediation shop to have the occupancy area of your vehicle disinfected.
- Once the exterminator or remediation shop has completed the initial disinfecting, your vehicle should be inspected at a remediation shop to ensure the ventilation is not contaminated. If you need help finding a qualified remediation shop in your area, our Contact Centre or your Claims Adjuster can help you.
- The remediation shop will determine if any additional work is required beyond the initial disinfecting.
You will be required to pay the cost of your deductible on any rodent-related claim. However, any costs higher than your deductible limit will be billed directly to Manitoba Public Insurance.
Disinfecting your vehicle
If rodents have been in your vehicle and you are not reporting a claim, it’s important to clean up in a safe manner. Ensure you are taking the proper steps to sanitize the area while ensuring you are properly protected against possible health risks:
- Wear gloves when disinfecting to ensure you are not directly touching any rodent droppings. If you are disinfecting in a confined area, you should also wear a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtered respirator.
- Open the windows or doors of the vehicle so that there is ventilation as you clean.
- Disinfect the affected area with a commercial disinfectant, and give time for the mixture to soak in (roughly five minutes) before vacuuming or wiping away droppings. You should always test your disinfectant on a small inconspicuous area of your vehicle to ensure your fabrics won’t be damaged by them.
- Use a paper towel to wipe the area down and remove all droppings.
- Wash your hands with soap after cleaning any signs of rodents.
Health risks from rodent infestations
In extremely rare cases, a rodent infestation can cause health risks in humans. If a rodent has been near your vehicle’s air filter, dander and other particles might find their way into the ventilation system. According to independent research from the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of contracting an illness from a rodent infestation in your vehicle is extremely low. However, you will want to take steps to ensure you are protecting your health and the health of your passengers if there are signs rodents have been present in your vehicle.
Protect against rodent damage
You can take steps to minimize the risk of rodent activity. The following suggestions can help you prevent a rodent infestation and keep your vehicle safe:
- When parking your vehicle for an extended period of time, avoid tall-grass areas, wooded areas or fields where rodents are more likely to be living.
- Whether it’s leftover fast food, pet food or a few scraps that fell on the floor, rodents can be attracted to the aroma in your vehicle. Be safe and don’t keep any food inside your vehicle – even the aroma from small crumbs can attract rodents.
- When parking your car in a garage, take steps to prevent rodent intrusion. Seal up any holes on the outside of the building, lay out traps and ensure any food in the area is stored in a tightly sealed container.
- When storing RVs and trailers, remove barbecue units as rodents are attracted to the residual odour.
Signs of a rodent infestation
Be aware of signs that could indicate your vehicle has been visited by rodents. These visual cues are often the first clues that you may have rodent damage:
- shredded or chewed upholstery or insulation
- chewed wires and hoses
- droppings
- nest materials
- rodent carcasses
If you do have rodents in your vehicle, you should take action immediately to reduce the risk of further infestation.