Mice eat wiring, SGI pays $25K amid hantavirus fears

An SUV that had its electrical wiringchewed onby mice was written off by Saskatchewan Government Insurance after concerns were raised abouthantavirus.

A recent Regina court case containeddetails of the 2014 incident in which mice infesteda 2008 Land Rover and knocked out the electrical system.

"SGI felt that the vehicle should be written off," the decision posted May 10onthe Canliilegal databasesays.

"Their investigation revealed that a significant portion of the electrical wiring had been eaten through by mice."

For health and safety reasons, repairing the vehicle was not an option.

"Because there were mouse droppings in and throughout the vehicle, it could not be fixed for fear of contractinghantavirus, a particularly deadly virus found in mouse droppings," the decision said.

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SGI eventually paid the owner just under $25,000 which it felt was the fair market value of the vehicle.

The insurerpaid the claim because, in their view, "the loss of the vehicle arose by virtue of accidental means rather than as a result of mechanical failure."

Illnesses caused by hantavirushaveresulted in 10deaths in Saskatchewan since 1994.

The virus is spread through deer mouse droppings.