Insurance Claims due to Vandalism & Theft can be a Challenge for Policy Holders

According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 1 out of every 200 insured homes files a property damage claim each year due to theft.  Theft and vandalism are two of the most common reasons that insurance claims are filed for both homeowners and commercial property owners.

Most people find vandalism and theft particularly offensive as the loss often leaves them feeling violated. To make matters worse, insurance carriers typically will look first to see if the claim can be denied due to occupancy or other policy requirements.

“If you are faced with filing a vandalism or theft claim, it is highly recommended to have an experienced claims professional on your side to assist in documenting and negotiating the claim before the insurance company can attempt to deny the claim or provide less than full coverage,” said Douglas Waldie, President of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC. “There are also steps that need to be taken in most circumstances when a theft or vandalism incident has taken place.  Call the police and file a report and be sure to get a copy of the paperwork.  Items that were stolen or damaged need to be documented to show proof of ownership and each item should be listed in the police report.  Quite often the insurance company will offer only partial values for the items so it’s important to have as much documentation as possible.  This documentation may include receipts, appraisals, pictures and videos.”

Due to the complicated nature of theft and vandalism claims, policy holders should consider hiring a licensed public adjuster to be their advocate.  In almost all circumstances, the final claim value is significantly higher when a policy holder engages the services of a professional public adjuster.

For those faced with filing a claim, the experts at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters will document the loss, review what is covered under the policy and negotiate with the insurance provider to obtain the most accurate and complete settlement possible.  They charge no out-of-pocket costs and only receive a small percentage of the settled claim as payment for their services.