How Homeowners Insurance Covers Vandalism

A standard homeowners insurance policy covers the cost of repairing or restoring your property after vandalism occurs. Insurers consider it a willful act of destruction against your property.

Keep reading to discover the most important tips for dealing with a vandalism insurance claim.

A Standard Homeowners Insurance Policy Covers Vandalism

Vandalism is a covered peril on an ordinary homeowners insurance policy.

If you have homeowners insurance, then insurance should cover the cost of repairing or restoring your property after vandalism occurs.

In fact, if vandalism to your property is so severe that you need to move out of your home, then homeowners insurance should cover additional living expenses (ALE) that can include lodging and dining until your home is inhabitable again.

Examples of Vandalism Insurance Claims

Vandalism insurance claims are relatively rare. Unless vandalism is severe, it may not be worth making a vandalism claim.

If teenagers throw eggs or toilet paper at your house, for example, then it’s not generally cost-effective to make an insurance claim – even if it takes time and money to clean up. That’s why most homeowners don’t make claims for spray paint or other minor acts of vandalism.

However, if a group of individuals destroy your home’s siding, break a window, or commit other severe acts, then it may be worth making a vandalism claim.

Some of the situations where you may want to make a vandalism insurance claim include:

• Broken windows
• Severe damage to siding or walls
• Cutting trees or bushes
• Arson
• Gluing locks
• Salting or destroying your lawn
• Damage done by roofing companies when they “inspect” your roof

All of these acts could cost thousands of dollars to repair, in which case it may be in your best interest to make a claim.

How to Make a Vandalism Claim

Making a vandalism claim is similar to making any homeowners insurance claim:

1. Secure the scene and, if necessary, contact the police
2. File a police report
3. Take photographs and videos of the damage
4. Take steps to prevent further damage – say, putting a tarp or board over a broken window
5. Create an inventory of missing, damaged, or destroyed items
6. Estimate the cost of repairing the vandalism or ask a contractor to estimate the cost
7. Consider the cost of your homeowners insurance deductible (typically between $500 and $2,000), then decide whether or not it’s worth making a homeowners insurance claim
8. Contact your homeowners insurance company to initiate the claim. Your insurer assigns a number to your claim. The insurer could also dispatch an adjuster to your property. The adjuster surveys the damage, determines if your policy applies to the damage, and oversees the claim during repairs.

How Insurance Covers Vandalism

Your insurer may apply different coverages to your vandalism claim, depending on the type of vandalism and where the acts occurred.

Some of the coverages that could apply to your vandalism claim include:

• Dwelling coverage, which covers vandalism to the main structure of your home and attached components. If someone breaks through the door of your attached garage, for example, or shatters the front window of your home, then dwelling coverage may apply. One of the most common forms of vandalism is when roofing companies create damage in an effort to get your roof replaced due to hail or wind damage. If your hail/wind claim is denied due to “mechanical damage”, then that roofing company may have vandalized your home.
• Other structures coverage, which covers vandalism to sheds, fences, and other components around your home.
• Personal property coverage, which covers vandalism to your possessions. If someone defaces your couch or slashes apart your bed, for example, then you could make a claim via personal property coverage (most car damage falls under your auto insurance).

Other Things You Need to Know Before Making a Vandalism Claim

Vandalism claims are unique, and most homeowners go their entire lives without making a vandalism claim.
If you do, however, need to make a claim, here are some things you should know:

• Insurance Doesn’t Typically Cover Vacant Home Vandalism: If your home has sat empty for an extended period of time, then insurance covers your home in a different way. Typically, insurers define a vacant home as a home that has been empty for 30 to 60 days or longer and is free of personal possessions. Your vacation home isn’t considered a vacant home, nor is your primary residence considered a vacant home when you’re on an extended trip. Check your policy or contact your insurer to verify coverage for your vacant home.
• Expect to Pay a Deductible: Vandalism claims generally require a deductible. You pay a $500 to $2,000+ deductible to your insurer, and your insurer covers all remaining costs of the claim. Because of the deductible, it may or may not be worth making an insurance claim for minor vandalism.
• It’s Generally Cheaper to Pay for Repairs Out of Pocket: Even if you’re a victim of severe vandalism, it may be cheaper to repair the damage out of pocket. Consider more than the deductible: after making a vandalism claim, your insurer may raise premiums. You might save money today, only to pay 20% higher premiums for multiple years, which means you may be better off paying out of pocket today. Unless it will cost thousands of dollars to repair the vandalism, it may be better to pay out of pocket.
• Renters Insurance May Cover Vandalism to Personal Property: If you rent, then renters insurance could cover vandalism to your personal property – but not to your apartment, condo, or other rental property.
• Insurance Covers Additional Living Expenses After Vandalism: If your home or rental property is vandalized to a point where it’s uninhabitable, then insurance could cover the cost of getting a hotel, ordering meals out, and other expenses you incur as a result of the vandalism. If someone breaks every window in your home in the middle of winter, for example, then insurance may cover additional living expenses (ALE) while windows are being repaired.
• Insurance May Deny Vandalism Claims for a Home-Based Business: If you have a home-based business and your home is vandalized, then insurance could deny your claim. Insurance may not cover vandalism to possessions linked to your business – like a computer or office equipment used by your business. You may need to add a business property endorsement to your homeowners insurance policy.

Contact a Public Adjuster for Tricky Vandalism Claims

If you’re dealing with a complicated vandalism claim, then it may be worth hiring a public adjuster.

Public adjusters represent your best interests in an insurance claim. They can overturn denied claims, help you achieve a higher payout, and manage your claim from start to finish to ensure an optimal outcome.

To schedule a no-cost consultation with a public adjuster specializing in homeowners insurance claims, contact ClaimsMate today.

Stephanie Corona

Stephanie is a property insurance claim expert with over 20 years of experience working as an insurance adjuster, expert witness, appraiser and umpire. She is passionate about sharing her expertise, knowledge, tips and training to help both property owners and Public Adjusters in their pursuit of effectively managing claims and recovering the claim settlement they deserve after a loss.