Belinda Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Rapid Solutions, outlines the current trend in termite claims.
As we’ve been sharing with the industry for some time, there’s been a noticeable uptick in legal disputes over termite damage in the pest management industry. This shift has significant implications for pest control professionals, highlighting challenges in industry practices and technology use.
One major reason for the rise in legal issues is the increasing reliance on Australian Consumer Law (ACL); clients are more informed about ACL and are using it to hold pest control companies accountable for the effectiveness of their services. Disputes often revolve around whether visual termite inspections were thorough enough, if termite damage assessments were accurate, and how well the applied control methods actually work. Since termites can cause serious structural damage, arguments over responsibility and compensation have become more common, requiring a deep understanding of termite biology and effective control methods.
Most often in a claim, your inspection method and report will come under intense scrutiny from another industry professional, engaged by your client as a ‘peer review’ of your approach to detecting, treating and reducing the risk of termite attack and damage to the property. Some of those reviews can be brutal even though they arise once termites are known to have affected the property, often through invasive means!
Technology, while helpful, has also added complexity to defending termite-related claims. Tools like thermal imaging and moisture meters enhance our ability to detect termite activity, but disagreements can arise over how to interpret the data, the accuracy of tech-driven assessments, and the limitations of these methods. Integrating technology into practices is essential, but it’s crucial to ensure that the gathered data can hold up in legal situations.
Pest professionals need to navigate these challenges, from legal issues and new technologies to changing client expectations, all while providing effective termite control services and minimising the risk of legal problems.
At Rapid Solutions, we’re talking to our policyholders every day about possible and actual claims. We’re always happy to share our knowledge and experience, which also informs our training courses. It’s our ongoing contribution and commitment to a more informed, more professional pest management community.
