Is Termite Damage Covered by Insurance? Perth Homeowners Guide
That is why inspections matter: they find termites early, when costs and damage are lower. A termite management system installed to the Australian Standard costs between 2,500 and 5,500 depending on the perimeter and construction. An inspection costs 250 to 350.
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Published 18 October 2026 · Reading time 7 minutes · By DJ Pest
What termites are and why they matter in Perth
Termites are social insects that build colonies in soil or wood. Subterranean termites need contact with soil or a constant moisture source to survive; they have thin skin and dry out quickly if exposed. Workers are the largest caste in the colony and are responsible for the damage. They remain within closed mud tubes and galleries, protected from light and drying. For details on how to identify termites and the damage they cause, see our termite identification guide.
Why early inspections matter more than insurance
Regular inspections let you catch termites before they damage structural timber. If termites are found early, treatment costs less and the damage can be limited to a small area. Read your policy carefully; ask your broker what pest damage cover you have. Either way, the cost of an inspection and early treatment is much less than the cost of structural damage and repair later. That is the real value of catching termites early.
How to detect termites before they cause major damage
A timber pest inspection to AS 4349.3 walks the interior, roof void, sub-floor where accessible, exterior and grounds, and provides a written report. An inspection costs 250 to 350 in Perth. If you are buying a home, a pre-purchase inspection formatted for settlement costs 300 to 400 and becomes part of your legal documentation; it protects both you and the buyer by setting a baseline on the day of purchase.
Early detection matters because the sooner you know termites are present, the sooner you can stop them with a treatment, and the lower the cost and damage.
Inspection results: what happens next
If an inspection finds no termite activity, you have peace of mind and a baseline report for future reference. If it finds active termites or old damage, you have two main options: a non-repellent chemical treated zone around the building perimeter, or a baiting and monitoring system with scheduled visits. If termites breach the system during the period on your certificate and annual inspections are kept up, we return and re-treat at no charge (terms at djpest.com.au/warranty). A chemical system treats the soil or drilled points with a non-repellent active so that foraging termites pass through it, pick up the chemical and transfer it through the colony by grooming. A baiting system uses in-ground stations placed around the building; termites feed on a slow-acting insect growth regulator and carry it back to the colony. See the Australian Standard AS 3660.2.
The cost of treatment in Perth
A non-repellent chemical management system typically runs 2,500 to 5,500 depending on the perimeter length, construction type and how much drilling is needed through paving or concrete. A baiting and monitoring system typically runs 1,500 to 3,000 to install, plus scheduled monitoring visits quoted separately. An inspection beforehand costs 250 to 350. Every job is quoted itemised in writing after we have seen it. You get a site plan showing treated zones, drill lines, bait or monitoring station positions and any areas that could not be treated, with the reason. For a full breakdown of what moves the price, see our termite treatment cost guide.
Pre-purchase and pre-sale inspections
The cost is 300 to 400. If the report shows no termite activity or old damage that has been treated, you know your baseline and can plan management accordingly. If it shows active termites or untreated damage, you can negotiate repairs, a price reduction or a treatment with the vendor before you settle. If you are selling, a clear pre-sale inspection is worth the investment: buyers expect it, and a missing report raises suspicion and can delay a sale. The cost of an inspection is much less than the price impact of hidden damage discovered later.
Why annual inspections matter once a system is installed
The Australian Standard AS 3660.2 requires an inspection at an interval not exceeding 12 months after a termite management system is installed. This is not a sales device. A treated zone can be breached by new garden beds, paving laid over the slab edge, a deck footing, or a plumber's trench. Chemicals also degrade over time. Our re-treatment promise on the system is conditional on annual inspections being carried out. Miss one and the promise lapses. We remind you before each inspection is due and invest in the system so there is no surprise.
Frequently asked
Does insurance pay for termite treatment?
Check your policy and ask your broker, but most policies treat pest control as your expense. Early detection through regular inspections is your best investment: the sooner you know, the lower the cost and damage.
When should I get a termite inspection?
It costs 300 to 400 and becomes part of your settlement documentation. Once you own the home, inspect at least once a year. If you live in a high-risk area or the home is older, more frequent inspections help catch termites early.
What does a timber pest inspection include?
An AS 4349.3 inspection walks the interior, roof void, sub-floor where accessible, exterior and grounds, and provides a written report. It costs 250 to 350 in Perth. Early detection of active termites or old damage lets you act before structural timber is compromised.
What is the cost of a termite treatment system in Perth?
A non-repellent chemical management system installed to AS 3660.2 typically runs 2,500 to 5,500 depending on perimeter length and construction. A baiting and monitoring system typically runs 1,500 to 3,000 to install, plus ongoing monitoring visits. Every job is quoted itemised in writing after inspection.
How does a non-repellent chemical system work?
Termites cannot detect the zone, so they tunnel through it and pick up the active chemical on their bodies. They then transfer it through the colony by grooming and contact. The product is applied at the label rate, and the site plan that comes with your certificate records drill holes, trench sections and litres applied.
What is the annual inspection condition on the certificate?
The Australian Standard AS 3660.2 requires an inspection at an interval not exceeding 12 months. This is because a treated zone can be breached by building works, landscaping or plumbing after installation. Chemicals also degrade over time. Our re-treatment promise is conditional on annual inspections. We remind you before each is due; miss one and the promise lapses from the date it fell due. If you sell the house, the certificate and site plan go to the buyer and save everyone an argument.
Sources
- Australian Museum: Termites
- Victorian Department of Health: Pest control - termites
- Business Queensland: Subterranean and drywood termites
Text your suburb and what you're seeing to 0468 170 107 for a written price.
Related
- Termite Treatment Perth, the full service and the investment
- Pest management investment ranges in Perth, every service with a typical range
- What's my pest?, pick what you saw
- All guides
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