Termite Bond vs Termite Warranty: What’s the Difference?

Last updated: October 30, 2026

A termite bond and a termite warranty are the same basic thing: a service agreement with a pest control company that covers inspections and retreatment if termites come back, and on some plans, repair of new termite damage. The name matters less than the details: whether your plan covers repair or retreatment only, how renewal works, and whether it transfers when you sell. Here’s how to read your agreement and what Northwest’s termite warranty includes.

Why Termite Protection Matters

Most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover termite damage. Insurers treat it as a maintenance issue, because it develops slowly and can be prevented. That’s why a termite agreement exists: it’s the protection your homeowners policy won’t give you.

Subterranean termites eat wood from the inside, so a surface can look solid with very little behind it. Many homeowners don’t notice until they see swarmers, discarded wings or mud tubes along the foundation.

What Is a Termite Bond?

“Termite bond” is a common name, especially in the South, for a termite agreement: a contract with a pest control company for ongoing termite protection. It is not insurance. Most bonds include scheduled inspections and retreatment if termites return. Some include repair coverage for new damage.

What Is a Termite Warranty?

A termite warranty is also a service agreement. It promises what the company will do if termites show up during the coverage period. A warranty doesn’t guarantee termites will never come back. It spells out the corrective action the company will take if they do.

At Northwest, every installation of the Sentricon® System with Always Active comes with a lifetime termite warranty.

Termite Bond vs Termite Warranty at a Glance

	Termite bond	Termite warranty
What it is	A service agreement with a pest control company	A service agreement with a pest control company
Is it insurance?	No	No
Scheduled inspections	Usually required	Usually required
Retreatment if termites return	Yes	Yes
Repair of new termite damage	Only on repair plans, up to a stated limit	Only on repair plans, up to a stated limit
Transfers when you sell	Depends on the agreement	Depends on the agreement
Where you’ll hear the term	Common in Southern real estate deals	Common in pest control company plans

The takeaway: compare what the agreement covers, not what it’s called.

What a Termite Warranty Covers

Retreat-Only vs. Repair & Retreat

This is the most important line in any termite agreement.

• Retreat-Only: if termites are found again, Northwest re-treats your home at no cost. Repairing any damage they caused is your responsibility.
• Repair & Retreat: Northwest re-treats and covers the cost to repair damage caused by termites, up to the limits in your agreement.

Repair & Retreat costs more. Whether it’s worth it depends on your home’s construction and termite pressure. A slab home in a low-pressure area is a different risk from a crawl space home with a history of termites. Your inspector will tell you which makes sense for your home and why.

On any repair plan, find the dollar cap. It’s the most the agreement will pay, no matter what repairs actually cost.

Which Termites Are Covered

Read the species language. Some agreements were written for native subterranean termites, before Formosan termites became established across the coastal Southeast. Some cover Formosan termites the same way. Others exclude them by name or cap repair for Formosan damage. Not sure what your own plan says? Our guide answers a common question: does your termite bond cover Formosan termites?

What’s Usually Not Covered

Coverage generally applies to damage that happens after treatment, during the coverage period. Areas an inspector can’t reach, such as behind finished walls, under insulation or in tight crawl space sections, aren’t part of a visual inspection. A good inspection report lists them.

How Renewal Works

Termite agreements run on an annual term with scheduled inspections. Those inspections are usually a condition of coverage, so a missed inspection can affect your protection.

Most agreements also ask you to fix conditions that invite termites, such as moisture buildup, wood touching soil, or additions that weren’t treated. Leaving a flagged condition uncorrected can affect coverage. To keep your coverage in good standing:

• Keep every scheduled inspection.
• Fix moisture problems and wood-to-soil contact your technician points out.
• Tell your provider before you add a room, deck or porch.
• Pay your renewal on time and keep your agreement with your home records.

Can You Transfer a Termite Warranty When You Sell?

It depends on the agreement. Transfer is not automatic. A transferable agreement is a real selling point, because it shows buyers the home has had steady protection rather than one treatment years ago. If you’re selling, ask your provider what the transfer steps are well before closing.

If you’re buying, don’t confuse a termite inspection report with a warranty. The wood destroying insect report used in real estate deals (a CL-100 in South Carolina, a WDO report in Georgia and Florida) covers one point in time. It isn’t a warranty, and it doesn’t commit anyone to monitor the home after closing.

Northwest’s Termite Warranty

Northwest offers:

• Lifetime termite warranty with every installation of the Sentricon System with Always Active
• Retreat-Only and Repair & Retreat coverage options
• Ongoing warranty options with no-tent drywood termite treatment in Florida

Northwest recommends Sentricon Always Active for ongoing protection. Bait stations go in around your home and stay active all the time, so the system keeps working between visits. Termites that find a station carry the bait back to the colony. Want to see how the stations work? Learn more about Sentricon Always Active.

Our service centers are locally operated by teams who live in the communities they serve, across Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. Learn more about our termite control services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a termite bond the same as a termite warranty?

Mostly, yes. Both are service agreements with a pest control company that cover inspections and retreatment, and sometimes repair. Compare what each one covers rather than what it’s called.

Is a termite warranty the same as insurance?

No. A termite warranty or bond is a service agreement, not an insurance policy. Most homeowners insurance doesn’t cover termite damage either.

What does a termite warranty cover?

Scheduled inspections and retreatment if termites return. A Repair & Retreat plan also covers repair of new termite damage, up to the limit in your agreement.

Does a termite warranty need to be renewed?

Yes. Termite agreements usually renew each year, and scheduled inspections are typically a condition of coverage.

Can I transfer my termite warranty when I sell my house?

It depends on your agreement. Transfer isn’t automatic, so check with your provider before closing.

How long does Northwest’s termite warranty last?

Every installation of the Sentricon System with Always Active comes with a lifetime termite warranty.

Is a termite inspection report the same as a warranty?

No. A wood destroying insect report (such as a CL-100 or WDO report) covers one point in time. It doesn’t provide ongoing coverage.

Get a Free Termite Inspection

Not sure what your current termite bond covers, or buying a home without one? A Northwest team member will inspect your property, explain what we find, and walk you through your warranty options. Call (888) 466-7849 or request a free termite inspection.