Vandalism can take many forms and can occur at any time. In most cases, homeowners insurance will cover the cost of repairs, but there are some common exclusions that may limit your ability to be compensated for damage. It’s important to check your policy so you don’t get stuck with an expensive repair bill.
What Is Vandalism?
Essentially, the term “vandalism” refers to any damage to your home or belongings intentionally caused by someone else without your consent. That can include painting graffiti on a home, breaking windows or outdoor lights, damaging trees or bushes, tampering with locks, egging a house and a wide range of other destructive acts.
When Homeowners Insurance Does and Doesn’t Cover Vandalism
Although most homeowners insurance policies automatically cover vandalism, that’s not always the case. Before you agree to purchase a policy, make sure it includes coverage for vandalism. If that is not a standard part of a policy, you may be able to have it added to your policy as a covered peril. Homeowners insurance won’t cover vandalism caused by someone named in the policy. Some insurance policies exclude fire damage caused by an act of vandalism, whether the fire damage was an intended or unintended consequence.
Vandals frequently target vacant houses. A homeowners insurance policy may cover vandalism if a house is occupied but limit or deny coverage if the property is vacant for a long period of time. Most insurance companies cancel vandalism coverage if a house has been vacant for 30 or 60 days, but some insurers cancel coverage as soon as they learn that a house is vacant.
If you want to buy homeowners insurance for a vacation home, or if you plan to move out of your home and put it on the market, talk to your insurance company about your coverage and any measures you plan to take to protect the house from vandalism while it’s unoccupied. You might need to take out a separate policy from a specialty insurance carrier. Vacant home insurance costs significantly more than standard homeowners insurance, but it can be purchased on a short-term basis.
What to Do If Your House Is Vandalized
If you discover that someone has vandalized your home, contact your local police department right away and file a report. Take photos and video to document the damage. A police report and evidence of damage will help your homeowners insurance company quickly process your claim. You can take steps to prevent further damage to your home and its contents, but don’t make any permanent repairs until an insurance adjuster has assessed the damage the vandals caused to your home.
