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We have a client that had a raccoon get into the attic. It damaged the attic and left urine that seeped into the ceiling of the house.

Allstate denied the claim. I have attached the pages they sent to the Insured.

Is a raccoon considered verrmin or a rodent? They turned it into their insurance company and they denied it based on the attached pages, not highlighting anything in particular. The only thing we can assume is on page 2, #12 or Page 3 #g is why they are denying the claim.

There is a class action lawsuit pending Allstate on the definition of a raccoon. 

Indiana Subscriber

 

A raccoon is neither. Rodent is a scientific classification (rodentia) and raccoons are mammals. They are also not vermin. Vermin are defined by Merriam Webster Online 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. Raccoons do not fall into this category. ISO modified the policy language in the 2011 form so that nesting, infestation, and discharge of waste or secretions is excluded, clarifying that urine from a raccoon would be excluded under that form. It depends on your actual policy language.

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