Property Damage Claims: Theft, Burglary, Vandalism and Your Property
by Admin
Posted on 19-06-2023 12:19 PM
Many standard commercial property insurance policies will include coverage for vandalism , but not theft. Vandalism—the intentional and malicious damage or destruction of property—is often much less expensive than the theft of expensive computers and inventory. One of the biggest problems with theft or vandalism claims is the insurer’s reluctance to cover damages due to the cause of the loss. Here are a few examples to illustrate how the distinction between theft and vandalism can complicate a claim:
vandalism turns into burglary.
Young
people
vandalizing the exterior of a building may break a window, escalating the crime into theft when they find valuable items inside.
In the event of a theft, vandalism, and/or burglary, you'll need to contact the police as soon as possible. In fact, reporting a theft or a home break-in is typically required in order to file a renters' insurance claim, assuming that your policy covers loss from theft. In addition, a police report will not only establish additional proof to show your renters' insurance company, but it can help the claims process run smoother as well. Be sure to get the names of any police officers you speak with just in case your insurance company has additional questions. Keep in mind, however, that damage caused by a pet or a leaky roof, assuming your renters' insurance covers these types of damages, usually doesn't warrant a police report.
Insurance companies will also investigate property damage (e. G. , fire damage, water damage or car accidents) and theft claims (e. G. , theft, burglary, hijacking or robbery). Depending on the property and the claim, an investigator might call in an expert. For example, they might ask for someone to come in and evaluate the burn patterns to discover the origin and cause of a fire. The information gained through this process will help the examiner either confirm or deny that the claim is legitimate.
Crime: an unavoidable issue we all like to believe that people will behave appropriately, but unfortunately, this is too often not the case. Crime can be a problem. Your property can be stolen or damaged by vandalism. Theft and vandalism claims require expertise theft and vandalism claims are quite a bit different than those of other property damage. Managing the claim process yourself can be challenging as you simply don’t have the necessary expertise. Insurance companies always ask a lot of questions – but the ones relating to theft are very specific. You will likely need a police report to substantiate your answers.
Going Away? Keep Your Property Safe
You can normally make a claim by phone or on your insurer’s website.
Many insurance providers have a claim section on their site that allows you to apply online or download a form that can be emailed to them. If you have lost any belongings or there is a crime involved, you will need to report it immediately. Remember, your insurer is likely to need this information for their records and may refuse to pay out without it. Once you’ve done that, think about who else you might need to call. If your home has been badly damaged because of a fire, for example, you may need to vacate the property temporarily until it’s safe to live in.
Yes, you're normally expected to give the insurer any evidence it asks for - this sometimes includes any broken items. You might need to support your home insurance claim with evidence such as: receipts for any of your stolen or damaged valuables any credit card or bank statements that show proof of buying the items photos of any damage caused and photos of your belongings if you’ve got cctv footage of the incident, make sure the data is safe and reliable. You may also record stolen items on online property databases such as: immobilise report my loss checkmend recording your items this way means there’s a permanent record the police could check against.