Now we're ready for the really difficult category, vermin. This generates much confusion and discussion, and, as mentioned earlier, the policy does not provide a definition of vermin. (Note the new AAIS form HO 0003 01 06 does define vermin; the ISO policy still does not.)

As with any policy language, when the term is not defined we go to the dictionary. Merriam Webster Online defines vermin as: a: small, common, harmful, or objectionable animals (as lice or fleas) that are difficult to control; b: birds and mammals that prey on game; c: animals that at a particular time and place compete (as for food) with humans or domestic animals.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary considers vermin small animals and insects that can be harmful and difficult to control when they appear in large numbers.

While not mentioned in the Merriam definition, in order for lice or fleas to be difficult to control you really do need large numbers. Controlling one flea may appear to be difficult, however one shot of flea spray and he's gone. The problem starts when you have large numbers of fleas or lice.

Objectionable is subjective, and since some people have relatives or in-laws they consider objectionable, we'll leave that for now. So we have small, harmful animals that are difficult to control in large numbers that prey on game or compete with humans/domestic animals. Let's take a few animals that often appear in our subscriber questions and see if they fit the definition.

Skunks are creatures that get an immediate reaction from most people. The first thing associated with a skunk is the smell, but remember, they only spray when they are frightened or threatened. Skunks are actually quite passive creatures, preferring to keep to themselves and eat large quantities of insects. So as long as you don't scare them, they're rather helpful to have around. According to our subscribers they do have a fondness for crawl spaces, but a crawl space to a skunk is a ready-made home that's hard to pass up. Why build when you can just move in?

Bats are other animals that commonly get into a house and raise the “is this a vermin” question. Like skunks, bats elicit an immediate response from most people and, like skunks, the reputation is ill-deserved. Most varieties of bats eat copious amounts of insects and are thus beneficial to humans. They're not competing with us or our pets for food, and they don't infest an area as lice or fleas might.

But what about other animals that aren't under the crawl space or in the attic quite as often, such as opossums and raccoons? First, they're not rodents. They are a different order, so the easy answer is out. Opossums eat insects (including cockroaches), carrion, rats, and mice so they are helpful to humans in that regard. They are also more resistant to rabies than any other mammal, including humans. So while tremendously ugly, they're not vermin.

While raccoons are omnivores, they don't compete with humans for food; being opportunists they'll get into trash cans because they can. Again, if the humans are kind enough to provide an easy dinner, the animal is more than happy to accept the offer. Their diet typically consists of fruits, grass, leaves, insects, frogs, fish, mice, carrion, etc.

I mentioned earlier that the new AAIS policy now specifically defines vermin. This is due in part to the fact that the animals discussed previously aren't rodents and don't fit the dictionary definition of vermin, but they are creatures. The AAIS definition of vermin is as follows: animal that is prone to enter or burrow into or under a structure to seek food or shelter including but not limited to: armadillos, bats, opossums, porcupines, raccoons, skunks, snakes. This broadens the category of vermin to include animals that behave with less than proper manners. Again, because these creatures don't fit the definition of vermin, AAIS has expanded its definition to include them so there is no question that they are excluded.

So here we are, having identified which creatures are rodents, which are vermin, and which are neither. No matter how nasty the reputation of some beasties, let's remember that looks can be deceiving, and some animals are just rats with bushy tails.

Christine G. Barlow, CPCU is an assistant editor with FC&S. She has an extensive background in insurance underwriting. She may be reached at [email protected].