Rodent-related vehicle damage on the rise in the UK

Drivers are increasingly filing insurance claims for vehicle damage caused by rodents across the UK.

There was a 28% rise in such claims in 2024, with rats and mice responsible for nesting in cars, chewing through wiring, and gnawing on seatbelts.

It is important to take extra precautions during colder months, when rodents are more likely to seek shelter in vehicles, garages, and wherever else vehicles are stored.

The average claim, according to Aviva, for rodent-related damage in 2024 reached £2,494, but in one extreme case, repairs exceeded £24,000.

This led to the car to be written off due to extensive interior and exterior damage.

Claim costs have climbed steadily, with a year-on-year increase of 11%. In 2023, the average claim stood at £2,253.

RAC patrol Nick Isaac, who works around the South West of England, once found a squirrel using an air filter as its pantry.

He said: “The car had lost power and had an odd smell. When I lifted the bonnet and revved the engine the air filter moved like it was being sucked towards the engine.

“It turned out a squirrel had been taking nuts from a bird feeder and storing them in the air box, restricting air flow to the car.”

One patrol attended a Porsche where 10 mice had made a nest under the scuttle panel at the bottom of the windscreen.

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RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Many of us are used to seeing the occasional rat or mouse on the street, but finding one in your car is not only a nasty shock but often the cause of very unwelcome and expensive damage.

“Unfortunately, incidents like this are more common than drivers might expect, particularly over the winter months when animals look to take shelter from the cold conditions.

“To reduce the risk of animal damage, check your car if it hasn’t been driven for a week or more. The best advice is to make sure no food – for pets or humans – is left inside.

“Also check for unusual smells in the vehicle and be mindful of any dashboard warning lights that don’t disappear after a minute or two. Any foodstuff in garages should be kept in airtight containers or locked in metal bins.

“If you suspect your vehicle has sustained animal damage, whether that’s chewed cables, clogged air filters or a nibbled diesel priming bulb, you should contact a reputable mobile mechanic or use the RAC’s Approved Garage Network to find a local garage that provides quality repairs.

“Car insurance does cover animal damage, but it’s worth checking before you claim to see if the damage justifies the expense.”