Is Vandalism Covered By Home Insurance?

​Vandalism is any damage that is done intentionally to private property. A standard home insurance policy typically covers the damages caused by vandalism. There are specific situations where you won’t be covered, so this article will help explain the types of vandalism covered by home insurance and the extent of its coverage. 

Forms of Vandalism Covered by Home Insurance
The standard homeowner's insurance policy usually has vandalism covered. Vandalism is not limited to spray-painting walls or trash dumping. Other forms that are typically covered by home insurance are:

• Breaking windows
• Cutting down shrubs or trees
• Arson
• Removing signs
• Damaging lawns

Home Insurance Coverage on Vandalism
There are three coverage portions that may cover you when filing a claim for vandalism.

1. Personal Property Coverage - May pay to repair or replace any personal belongings that were vandalized.
2. Dwelling Coverage - May pay for the repairs of your home and its attached structures if vandalized. 
3. Other Structures Coverage - Covers payments for the repairs on any vandalized detached structures on your home.

These three portions have a coverage limit which is the highest amount your insurance company may pay. If the costs for the covered losses exceed this, the remaining would likely come out of your own pocket.

Vandalism in an Unoccupied Home
Even with a standard home insurance policy usually covering vandalism, there are still certain situations where it cannot cover it. A common instance of when your home insurance policy may not cover vandalism is when you have an unoccupied home.

After a period of time (usually 30-60 days), with your home being unoccupied or vacant, your home insurance policy may no longer cover any form of vandalism. You can add a separate vandalism coverage for vacant homes if you suspect your home to be vandalized.

Will Renter’s Insurance Cover Vandalism?
Like a home insurance plan, a renter’s insurance can also cover vandalism, but only to a certain extent. A renter’s insurance may only cover damage to personal items caused by vandalism. Unlike a home insurance plan, any damage from vandalism to the building may instead be covered by the landlord’s policy. 

Conclusion
It is important to know that there are many forms of vandalism and that a home insurance plan can help cover you from these risks. If your home does get vandalized, it is safe to file a claim with your insurance company to obtain its benefits fully.

At Appletree Insurance, we do our best to ensure that our clients are well-protected with affordable and comprehensive policies. We will make sure to go the extra mile to help you with your needs. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact our agency at (603) 881-9900 or Click Here to request a free quote. Topics and coverage discussed in this article are not guaranteed, consult with your agents to determine what your policy does and does not cover. We are more than happy to help!