Vandalism happens to homeowners and businesses alike for a variety of reasons. You could be the victim of a prank, a theft attempt, or random destruction of your property. If you’ve been a victim of vandalism, here is what to do and how premises liability lawyers can help.
Vandalism: Next Steps
When you see property damage related to vandalism, take immediate action. First, take photos of the vandalism from all angles. Next, call the local authorities and file a report. Use your photos as a reference. Be detailed and thorough, noting any items that may have been stolen and the extent of your property damage. Get a copy of the police report and make sure everything you stated is included in it.
Look through your insurance policy to determine coverage levels and call your insurance agent to file a claim. Vandalism and theft can be complicated. Some insurance companies hesitate to pay out claims for damages because of the risk that vandalism could escalate to theft, which is more expensive to cover.
When filing your claim, be as detailed as you were when filing your police report. Your claims adjustor might ask for photos, so send them over as soon as possible. Take an inventory of your property noting all damage and indicating whether anything was stolen. Provide receipts for any stolen property.
After filing a police report and a claim with your insurance company, take precautions to prevent yourself from being vandalized again. Repair windows, doors, and locks to make your space safe for you and your employees or your family. Don’t make any permanent fixes until the insurance adjustor has made a site visit.
Reduce your risk of future vandalism by adding security measures including cameras and lighting. Install an alarm on your building to notify the authorities in the event of future break ins.
How an Attorney Can Help
Vandalism cases are notorious for being declined or undervalued by insurance companies. Common reasons cited for denying claims include insufficient proof of ownership, waiting too long to file your claim, and not carrying the right type of insurance. They might also say that you did not provide sufficient evidence to justify your claim.
Whatever the reason for denying your claim or offering a small settlement amount, the property damage lawyers at Palumbo law can help you recover more from the insurance company so you can properly fix your property damage and install security measures.
Your property damage attorney can help you effectively counter arguments presented by the insurance company for denying your claim. We can help you prove ownership of your property and establish a reasonable valuation of anything that was damaged or stolen.
Working with lawyers for property damage frees you from dealing with the insurance company. Property insurance claim lawyers will handle all negotiations and other interactions with your claims adjustor so you can focus on resuming your daily life.
If your property was damaged by vandalism, contact PALUMBO LAW for a consultation and let us help you get your full property value from the insurance company.