Property damage doesn’t always stem from external elements such as fire and storms. People can severely damage your property by vandalizing and defacing it. Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance protects you from the financial burden of repairing your home after someone intentionally damages it.
It is best to hire a public adjuster immediately after filing a vandalism and malicious mischief insurance claim. They can maximize your settlement and expedite your claims process. Keep reading to understand how vandalism and malicious mischief works in insurance and the best way to file a claim.
What is Vandalism and Malicious Mischief Insurance?
Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance reimburses property owners after their homes are damaged by vandalism. It is a key form of insurance for vacant or empty properties because they are more susceptible to vandalism. However, every kind of property can benefit from this coverage.
Vandalism, in insurance, is usually defined as intentional damage to a property without theft. For instance, a bunch of high school kids breaking your garage window and running away counts as an act of vandalism. However, if those kids broke your window to steal your TV, that would be burglary and not vandalism.
Malicious mischief means damage to a property fueled by hate, spite, or malice. For example, if your former co-worker throws stones at your home to smash your doors, that is malicious mischief.
Types of Property Covered by Vandalism and Malicious Mischief Insurance
Vandalism and malicious mischief covers a wide range of properties such as:
Residential Properties
This includes homes, apartment complexes, or estates. They are one of the primary properties that vandalism and malicious mischief covers. The cost of repairing a home after vandals damage it can be hefty for the average homeowner. Thus, it is important to have adequate coverage.
Commercial Buildings
This type of insurance covers business and commercial buildings including warehouses and stores. It also covers other types of commercial structures like schools. Having coverage for commercial structures is crucial because severe vandalism can cause business interruption and loss of revenue.
Equipment and Inventory
This includes heavy machinery, equipment, work tools, and materials that a business needs to function effectively. Many businesses will need to pause business for a while if their equipment and inventory is vandalized. Therefore, it is best to purchase vandalism and malicious insurance coverage for them.
What Does Vandalism and Malicious Mischief Insurance Cover?
Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance mainly covers unintentional property damage by people your policy does not cover. Your insurance provider will reimburse only the costs of repairing, cleaning, or replacing the damaged property.
An average policy will cover the following forms of damage:
Structural Damage
Your policy covers damage to structural elements of your property such as your roof, doors, windows, and walls. This means that you can file a claim for any intentional damage to these parts of your home.
Personal Property Damage
Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance does not protect only the physical structure of your home. Its coverage extends to your personal property. For instance, an angry neighbor may pour water into your lawn mower’s engine. You can file a claim for the cost of repairing or replacing your lawn mower. However, this personal property must be stored on your property.
Adjoining Structures Damage
Your coverage may extend to surrounding structures in your home such as a shed, walkway, or garden. Therefore, if someone intentionally damages your shrubs, you can file a claim for that.
Equipment and Inventory Damage
This is mainly useful for commercial properties. Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance covers your business’s inventory and equipment. However, this only applies if they are stored in the building.
What Does Vandalism and Malicious Mischief Insurance Exclude?
Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance does not cover:
Damage by the Insured
If you or any other person covered under your policy damages your property, it does not count under your policy. For instance, your child is covered under your policy and one day, you have a disagreement. Your child then trashes their room. Any damage that ensues from the trashing will not be covered under your policy.
Vacant Properties
Insurance companies often exclude properties that are vacant for more than 60 consecutive days. A vacant property is one without anyone actively living in it and without necessary personal property. It is best to ask your insurer how long your property can remain vacant before your coverage excludes it.
Accidental Damage
Vandalism and malicious mischief is expected to be intentional. Therefore, accidental damage may be excluded under your policy.
Car Damage
Car damage is generally covered under auto insurance. Therefore, if someone vandalizes it, you cannot claim the damage under a vandalism and malicious mischief policy. You need to file under your auto insurance policy.
How to File a Vandalism and Malicious Mischief Insurance Claim
Here is how to file a vandalism and malicious mischief insurance claim:
File a Police Report
Reporting to the police is not just to enable them to catch the perpetrators but also for your insurance claim. Many insurance companies require a copy of the police report as evidence of the vandalism incident. Therefore, you should visit the nearest police station as soon as possible or call the police. When filing the report, include information on all items that suffered damage, the time you noticed the damage, and any steps you took afterward.
Contact Your Insurer
You should inform your insurer of the vandalism or malicious mischief incident after filing the police report. Most insurance policies contain a timeframe within which policyholders are expected to file claims. If you miss that timeframe, your insurer will likely deny any claim you file for that incident.
Therefore, put a call to your insurer or send them a message once it is safe to do so. Ask them how to access the claim form, the timeline of the claims process, and all the documentation they will require.
Document the Damage
Take pictures and videos of the damage from different angles. Ensure you capture the full extent of the damage as it will serve as evidence for your claim. Additionally, make a list of all damaged personal property.
Fill Out the Claim Form
Your insurer will explain where to access the claim form. This may be on their website, or an application, or they may mail you a copy. You will need to provide information regarding the incident such as the date and time of the incident, damaged items, and the nature of damage. Ensure you attach a copy of the police report and the pictures or videos of the damage to the claim.
Hire A Public Adjuster
A public adjuster is a professional who handles insurance claims on the policyholder’s behalf. They gather needed documentation and advocate for you throughout the claims process. This advocacy includes negotiating with your insurance provider to get you the highest possible settlement.
Carry out Temporary Repairs
You may need to perform temporary repairs such as boarding up broken windows. This prevents your home from suffering even more damage and you can receive reimbursement for these repairs from your insurer. Therefore, ensure you keep receipts and invoices for all the repairs.
Conclusion
Vandalism and malicious insurance protects you from financially bearing the aftermath of vandalism. It provides financial reimbursement for cleaning, repairs, and replacements. Your coverage does not only protect your home’s structure but also adjoining structures and personal property. Ensure you file your vandalism and malicious insurance claim on time to avoid denied or delayed claims.
On-Site Adjusting has a team of public adjusters that ensure you get a settlement that is enough to cover all damage. We take the stress out of stressful claims. Send us a message today, we will review your case for free.
