Damage caused by martens: when does insurance pay?
Do you park your car outside regularly? If so, you must be prepared for marten damage. Partial casco insurance can help in many cases.
03.07.2024
iStockphoto / Kathryn Peiman
1. Which insurance covers damage caused by martens?
Martens like to chew wires, tubes and insulation. Still, a partial casco insurance will normally cover the risk of damage caused by martens. Potential subsequent damages are usually also included in the insurance. You can find the details in the general terms and conditions of insurance.
Tip: is your car outside every day? If so, partial casco insurance is particularly important for you.
Compare car insurance premiums
Premiums differ widely between insurers. It’s therefore worth comparing. Compare the latest car insurance premiums with the Comparis premium calculator.
2. Why are martens attracted to cars?
Martens, which can reach up to 40 cm in length, prize the space under the bonnet for various reasons:
Heat: the engine compartment of a car provides a pleasant source of heat after the engine has been switched off. Especially on cold nights and in winter months, this makes the engine compartment a cosy place to sleep.
Curiosity: martens are naturally curious and like to explore their surroundings. Damage to cables or hoses usually occurs because martens feel and experience their environment through bites.
Territory marking: males are extremely aggressive in summer. They view the car as their territory and mark it with their scent.
Territorial battles: if a car that has been marked is parked in another marten's territory, they will scratch and bite anything that smells different. After a marten attack, we therefore advise you to wash your motor to remove the animal's scent.
Important: fire danger!
If you spot a marten near your car, check it carefully afterwards. Even if cables and seals are still intact, a marten could have built a nest in the engine compartment. This could be dangerous: dry foliage could catch fire when the engine starts and warms up.
3. How to beat martens
Firstly, you should prevent martens from getting into the car at all.
Here are some different approaches:
Martens are very sensitive to sounds. "Marten scarers" emit sounds high in the ultrasound range. Humans can’t hear these.
Pro: the animals aren’t injured.
Con: depending on the frequency, the sounds can also affect cats and dogs. Also, a marten might just get used to the sound.
In this method, electrodes are installed in the engine compartment. If an animal touches one, it will be shocked. The marten is startled and flees.
Pro: this method is considered highly effective and permanent.
Con: electric shocks can be very stressful for animals and damage their health.
Important: if you decide to use this method, be sure to have the device installed by professionals.
A much more animal-friendly method is a bulkhead that isolates the motor space. Many car manufacturers offer these for their own models.
Pro: this method is very effective and also protects the engine compartment from dirt and stones from the road.
Con: motor partitioning is probably the most expensive method.
When are martens most active?
Martens are active throughout the year. However, the highest risk of marten damage is in summer and winter. Rivals fight during the summer mating season. In winter, the martens seek refuge in warm, protected places.
This article was first published on 27.05.2010
