A break-in or act of vandalism can leave behind more than missing property.
Doors may be damaged. Windows may be broken. Walls, flooring, fixtures, appliances, electrical systems, or other parts of the property may need repair. At the same time, the insurance company may ask for detailed documentation of the items that were stolen or damaged.
That can be difficult when receipts no longer exist or when the property was purchased years ago.
We review the police report, photographs, inventories, financial records, repair estimates, and policy to determine what evidence is available and whether the insurance company has properly evaluated the loss.
Common Issues in Theft and Vandalism Claims
Proof of ownership. The insurance company may ask for receipts, photographs, bank statements, credit card records, warranties, appraisals, or other evidence showing that stolen property belonged to you. Older items, gifts, and inherited property can be more difficult to document.
Contents valuation. Disputes may arise over the value of stolen or damaged property, depreciation, replacement cost, and whether certain items are subject to special policy limits.
Vacancy and occupancy issues. Some policies contain provisions that affect theft or vandalism coverage when a property has been vacant or unoccupied for a certain period of time. Whether those provisions apply depends on the policy language and the actual use of the property.
Damage caused during the break-in. The loss may include more than the stolen property. Doors, windows, locks, walls, flooring, fixtures, security systems, and other parts of the property may also require repair or replacement.
Questions about how the loss occurred. The insurance company may request a recorded statement, examination, additional documents, or other information as part of its investigation. Those requests can become especially important when the company disputes the circumstances of the loss.
How We Review a Theft or Vandalism Claim
We begin with the police report, the insurance company’s requests, and the available evidence of what was stolen or damaged.
For personal property, that may include photographs, bank or credit card records, online purchase histories, warranties, appraisals, prior inventories, witness information, and replacement pricing.
For building damage, we review photographs, contractor estimates, repair invoices, security records, and evidence of how the property was entered or damaged.
We also review any policy provisions affecting theft, vandalism, vacancy, occupancy, special limits, or proof-of-loss requirements.
The goal is to build a reasonable and well-supported record of the loss and determine whether the insurance company has properly valued and handled the claim.