Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Vandalism?

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Graffiti Vandalism on Neglected Residential Building
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Most homeowners insurance policies do cover vandalism, but the extent of coverage varies by policy and provider.

Typically, vandalism is covered under a standard homeowners policy, but it's essential to review your policy documents to confirm what's included.

Many policies have a separate deductible for vandalism claims, which can range from $500 to $2,000.

Homeowners can expect to pay for repairs or replacement of damaged property, minus their deductible amount.

Understanding Homeowners Insurance

Most homeowners insurance policies include coverage for acts of vandalism, which can help protect you from financial loss in the event of an incident.

You should know that vandalism is covered for occupied and unoccupied homes, but not for vacant homes.

It's essential to note that if your home is vacant, it will not be protected, and you'll need to take steps to ensure your damaged property is repaired or replaced.

What is Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance is a type of property insurance that protects your home and personal assets from damage or loss due to various risks.

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It typically covers damage to your home's structure, including the walls, roof, and foundation, as well as damage to personal property such as furniture and appliances.

You can choose from different types of policies, such as actual cash value or replacement cost, depending on your needs and budget.

The average cost of homeowners insurance is around 1% to 2% of your home's value per year, but this can vary depending on factors such as location and coverage level.

Most policies require you to pay a deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in.

Homeowners insurance can also provide liability coverage in case someone is injured on your property, and you can even add riders for additional protection, such as flood or earthquake coverage.

Cover Damage Risk

Most homeowners insurance policies include coverage for acts of vandalism, so you can rest assured that you're protected in case someone damages your property.

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Your policy will cover vandalism damage unless it's specifically excluded, which is rare. However, if your home is vacant, you won't be protected.

To be considered vacant, your home must be empty and free of your personal property. This means if you're selling your home or moving out temporarily, you might not be covered in case of vandalism.

You should immediately call the police if you notice your home has been vandalized. Once they've investigated, document all the damage and contact an insurance lawyer to help you navigate the claims process.

Your insurance policy will only provide personal property coverage up to a certain amount, so be aware of what's covered and what's not, especially when it comes to high-priced items like electronics and jewelry.

Vandalism Coverage

Most homeowners insurance policies include coverage for acts of vandalism, which can help protect your home from unexpected damages.

Your insurance policy will only provide personal property coverage up to a certain amount, so high-priced items like electronics and jewelry may not be fully covered.

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To ensure your damaged property is repaired or replaced, you should immediately call the police once you notice your home or business has been vandalized.

If your property is vacant, your insurer may require certain protective safeguards to reduce the risk of theft and vandalism, such as boarding and securing windows and glass doors.

You can add coverage for Theft, Vandalism, or Burglary by purchasing a Special Form policy or purchasing Theft or Burglary coverage in addition to the Basic Form.

The Special Form policy includes Vandalism, Burglary Damage, and Theft, but it may come with a higher cost due to the additional perils insured.

A combined sublimit applies for Vandalism and Malicious Mischief and Theft at $30,000 per loss, per location when the Special Cause of Loss form is applied.

Keep in mind that your deductible may differ for losses due to Theft, Vandalism, or Burglary, and the limits of coverage may be restricted for just those perils.

Filing a Claim

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Document the damage by taking pictures and keeping receipts for any repairs you had to make. This will help support your insurance claim.

Contact the police and file a report, as this can also serve as evidence for your insurance provider. They may require a police report to process your claim.

Keep in mind that some instances of vandalism are excluded from policies, such as if you operate a business out of your home. In this case, you may need to consider commercial insurance for sufficient coverage.

To file a successful vandalism claim, you must live in the home where the vandalism occurred. If your house has been vacant for an extended time, you won't be protected, even if the vandalism happened after you moved out.

Policy Options and Requirements

Most homeowners insurance policies include coverage for acts of vandalism, so you can rest assured that you're protected in case someone targets your home.

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The type of coverage you have will determine what's included in your policy. There are three main policy formats: Basic, Broad, and Special Form.

Basic Form policies cover vandalism and malicious mischief, which is a willful and malicious damage to or destruction of the described property.

With a Basic Form policy, you won't be covered for theft, except for building damage caused by burglars breaking in or exiting.

Broad Form policies add burglary damage to the coverage, so you'll be protected in case of a break-in.

Special Form policies go a step further, covering vandalism, burglary damage, and theft, so you'll have comprehensive protection for your home.

It's essential to review your policy and understand what's covered and what's not. This will help you make informed decisions about your insurance needs.

Policy Types and Coverage

Most homeowners insurance policies include coverage for acts of vandalism, so you can rest assured that your home is protected from unexpected damages.

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The type of policy you have can affect the level of coverage you receive. For example, Basic Form policies include Vandalism & Malicious Mischief (VMM).

Basic Form policies specifically cover vandalism, which is defined as the willful and malicious damage to, or destruction of, the described property.

However, Basic Form policies do not cover theft, except for building damage caused by the breaking in or exiting of burglars.

Broad Form policies add burglary damage to the coverage of VMM, providing more comprehensive protection for your home.

Special Form policies go a step further, including VMM, burglary damage, and theft, making it the most comprehensive option.

It's essential to review your policy format and coverages to ensure you have the right protection in place.

Theft and Burglary Coverage

Most homeowners insurance policies include coverage for acts of vandalism, but what about theft and burglary? Theft and vandalism losses can vary from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands.

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You'll need to either purchase Theft or Burglary coverage in addition to the Basic Form or purchase a Special Form policy to get this extra protection. The items that thieves are looking for include copper pipes, appliances, and HVAC systems, which can be costly to replace.

Theft and vandalism can be quite costly, and in some cases, a vandal can do as much damage as a thief, breaking plumbing systems or damaging appliances.

Differences Between Theft and Burglary

Theft and burglary are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Theft is the taking and carrying away of someone else's personal goods or property without permission.

Burglary, on the other hand, involves damage to property caused by intruders, but not necessarily the theft of property itself. For example, if burglars pry open an entry door, causing damage to the door and surrounding area.

The key difference between theft and burglary is the presence of damage to property. Theft focuses on the taking of property, while burglary focuses on the damage caused by intruders.

Adding Theft or Burglary Coverage

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Adding Theft or Burglary Coverage can be a bit tricky, but it's essential to have the right protection in place. Most homeowners insurance policies include coverage for acts of vandalism, but Theft and Burglary coverage may need to be added separately.

To add Theft or Burglary coverage, you'll need to purchase it in addition to the Basic Form or purchase a Special Form policy. The Special Form policy includes more perils, but it also comes with a higher cost.

If you already have a Basic Form policy, you can add Theft or Burglary coverage, but be aware that the limits of coverage may be restricted for just those perils. For example, even if you have insurance coverage for $100,000, you may only have $30,000 worth of coverage for Theft, Vandalism, or Burglary.

The cost of Theft and Burglary damage can vary greatly, from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. This can depend on what a thief is after and what they can carry out before being scared off.

Adrian Fritsch-Johns

Senior Assigning Editor

Adrian Fritsch-Johns is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for compelling content. With a strong background in editorial management, Adrian has a proven track record of identifying and developing high-quality article ideas. In his current role, Adrian has successfully assigned and edited articles on a wide range of topics, including personal finance and customer service.

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