Aviva is advising motorists to review their insurance coverage as claims linked to rodent damage continue to rise across the UK, reflecting a growing seasonal risk for insurers and policyholders alike.
The insurer reported a 28% increase in motor claims involving rodent-related damage between 2023 and 2024, with the majority occurring in winter. The average claim value also rose 11% year-on-year, reaching £2,494. In severe cases, the cost of repairs exceeded £20,000, with vehicles sometimes written off entirely due to extensive wiring and engine damage.
James Driscoll, motor claims manager at Aviva, said the issue is becoming a consistent source of claims during colder months. "In the winter months, mice and rats look for warmer places to nest and they can squeeze into the tiniest of gaps, including the grilles, vents or open windows of vehicles. Once inside a car, rodents can cause significant damage, from chewing wires and gnawing at interiors, to nesting in engines," he said.
Driscoll urged drivers to check whether their policies include protection for vermin damage, noting that coverage varies between insurers. "“It’s worth being extra-vigilant, especially during the winter months," Driscoll said.
The spike in rodent-related claims underscores how non-collision perils—traditionally considered minor—are emerging as notable contributors to motor insurance losses.
Industry observers said the trend highlights a need for insurers to strengthen claim management and policy clarity. Mark Hemsted, partner at Clyde & Co, said: “With rodent-related vehicle claims on the rise due to colder weather, insurers need to be prepared for unique challenges presented by seasonal spikes. From verifying damage to interpreting policy language, it’s important to have clear processes in place to handle claims efficiently and fairly.”
The rise in these non-collision claims points to how environmental and behavioural factors are reshaping the motor insurance landscape. Analysts suggest that as urban infestations and severe weather conditions persist, insurers may need to reassess how such risks influence pricing, coverage design, and loss ratios across the motor segment.
Meanwhile, Aviva also reminded drivers that simple preventive steps — such as removing food from vehicles, avoiding parking near bins, and inspecting engine bays — can help reduce exposure to this growing risk.
The data adds to a wider industry trend where environmental factors are reshaping claim patterns and coverage considerations, requiring insurers to reassess how seasonal hazards like rodent infestations affect loss ratios and pricing models in the motor segment.
