What Qualifies As Commercial Vandalism?
Vandalism refers to intentionally inflicting damage or destruction upon public or private property. It manifests in diverse forms, such as:
- Shattering glass features, including windows and lighting fixtures or smashing doors
- Tampering with plumbing systems, potentially causing widespread water damage
- Graffiti tagging or marring the aesthetic of a building's façade or interior spaces
- Harming the surrounding landscape like lawns, plantings, or trees
- Compromising security by breaking locks
- Engaging in arson, the criminal act of deliberately setting the property ablaze

What Qualifies As Commercial Theft?
Theft is the deliberate and unlawful taking of property belonging to someone else. It encompasses a range of actions:
- Taking possessions from an area outside your property, irrespective of their security measures
- Appropriating any item that was situated within the confines of your property
- Burgling or ransacking another individual’s property
ARE VANDALISM CLAIMS AND THEFT CLAIMS COVERED UNDER YOUR COMMERCIAL INSURANCE POLICY?
Ensure your insurance safeguards against theft and vandalism. Clarify precisely what your policy entails by liaising with your insurer. Crucially, determine any coverage caps; for instance, compensation might be restricted to $500, potentially less than the actual worth of your lost or damaged goods.
Inquire whether your policy compensates based on current market value or replacement cost. The former considers the item's depreciation, offering a payout that reflects the reduced worth and replacement expense. The latter, however, estimates based on the full retail price today. Establishing the difference is essential to understand the potential reimbursement for any claim.

TIPS FOR PREVENTING COMMERCIAL VANDALISM AND THEFT
While it's impossible to eradicate all forms of theft and vandalism, certain measures can be implemented to mitigate these risks significantly for your commercial property:

- Maintain a pristine exterior by scheduling regular landscaping such as lawn mowing and bush trimming which can help deter criminal activity by removing potential hiding spots.
- Eschew the practice of leaving spare keys on the premises, as this can easily be exploited by ill-intentioned individuals.
- Engage a professional board-up service to fit sturdy deadbolts across all doors that provide entry to the building.
- Secure all points of ingress thoroughly, ensuring that windows, doors, and particularly sliding glass doors, are locked when not in use.
- Install resilient exterior lighting to illuminate the property's perimeter, choosing systems that prevent tampering by unauthorized parties.
- Remain vigilant to unusual behavior around your property and proactively report any anomaly to law enforcement without delay.
- Consider the added protection of a security alarm system, serving both as a deterrent and an immediate alert mechanism in the event of a security breach.
BE PREPARED: DOCUMENT YOUR VALUABLES
While no one can predict when acts of vandalism or theft might occur, there are essential steps that you can implement preemptively. By preparing in advance, should your commercial property fall victim to these unfortunate events, you'll be ready to handle the situation and strengthen your claim of vandalism or fire loss with confidence. Here's what you need to keep in mind:
- Regularly capture and update photos of your property, capturing both the interiors and exteriors, as well as all assets. These visual records serve as vital proof of conditions before any damage.
- Meticulously file and retain all receipts linked to business expenditures. These documents play a crucial role in verifying the value of items lost or damaged.
- Create and maintain a comprehensive inventory of your property's contents. Knowing exactly what you have is critical when you need to account for missing or damaged items.
- Secure all critical paperwork in a fire-resistant safe or container. This ensures that in the event of a fire, your most important documentation is protected and retrievable.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF VANDALISM OR THEFT
In the unfortunate event that your commercial property faces a breach of security such as vandalism or theft, swift and precise action is critical. The following steps you take are essential to ensure the security of your premises and to facilitate any insurance claims. By adhering to these procedures, you may significantly influence the outcome of your claim, potentially securing optimal compensation.
Make Sure Your Building Is Safe Before Entering
Before you re-enter your property, prioritize safety to avoid any risks or threats. If there's any suspicion that the intruder might still be present, contact the emergency services by dialing 911 to handle the situation.
File A Police Report
It's imperative to involve the police as soon as possible. Call your local police department to report the incident and have them document it officially. This serves two purposes: verifying that the event took place and providing you with a formal report, which is a crucial piece of evidence for your insurance provider.
Take Photos
Photograph all impacted areas and damages resulting from the vandalism or theft comprehensively. Remember that the visual record you create is a pivotal part of the evidence when filing your claim. The more detailed and thorough the imagery, the better it will serve to demonstrate the extent of damage or loss to the insurance company.
Prepare A List Of Stolen And Damaged Items
Once you've alerted both law enforcement and Excel Adjusters to the incident, the next crucial step is inventorying the affected items. This inventory will be crucial in documenting your claim. Please ensure your inventory is comprehensive and includes the following information:
- The purchase date and location for every item stolen or damaged.
- The price you paid for each item, whether stolen or damaged.
- Whenever possible, attach a copy of the original purchase receipt with the item's information.
- Gather and include any photographs or video evidence of the items pre-incident.
Contact A Licensed Public Adjuster
Navigating the complexities of insurance claims, particularly those involving theft and vandalism, can be an overwhelming experience for property owners. The intricate details of such claims tend to create confusion, potentially obstructing your path to obtaining the rightful compensation.
Insurance companies may add to the challenge by enacting stringent coverage limitations. These restrictions frequently result in policyholders being inadequately compensated, covering only a fraction of the losses from such incidents.
Engaging with an authorized, independent public adjuster early in the claim process can significantly tip the scales in your favor. Prompt contact enables us to offer substantial assistance. Following the submission of your claim for vandalism or theft, insurance agents will perform an onsite evaluation of your commercial space. Their mission during this visit is to investigate the root causes and the specifics of the incident, as well as to assess what repairs or replacements are deemed necessary. This procedure, known colloquially as "field scoping," aims to furnish your insurer with a ballpark figure for restoration costs.
However, it's important to recognize that those conducting field scoping are representatives of your insurance company, aligning their interests with those of the insurer, not necessarily the policyholder.
At Excel Adjusters, our dedication lies in advocating for your best interests, ensuring you secure the equitable settlement you're entitled to for the damages inflicted on your commercial property. We stand firmly beside you.
HOW EXCEL ADJUSTERS CAN HELP WITH YOUR THEFT OR COMMERCIAL VANDALISM CLAIM
At Excel Adjusters, our expertise is in securing just compensation for victims of theft or vandalism. Completely independent from insurance companies, we ensure your interests take precedence. We stand firm in upholding your rights throughout the claim process, with the unwavering aim to receive your fair and reasonable reimbursement.
Allow us to assist you through these crucial steps:

Notify Your Insurance Provider
Whether you find yourself at the beginning or amid the claims process, having an expert public adjuster liaise with your insurer is critical.
Navigating a claim on your own, particularly those entangled with vandalism or theft can be daunting due to the intricate nature of insurance policies and property repair. Understanding your coverage and negotiating with insurance providers can feel as challenging as learning a new language. For most commercial property owners, filing a claim for theft or vandalism is uncharted territory, requiring familiarity with complex details they often haven't encountered. Additionally, the emotional toll of advocating for one's valued assets and business can compound the difficulties faced during the claims process.
Increase Your Fair and Reasonable Payouts
As dedicated public adjusters, we are committed to securing the highest possible compensation for water damage and flood-related insurance claims. We possess the expertise to effectively communicate with insurance providers to exhaustive lengths, ensuring you receive the financial support required for your restoration needs.
It's essential to recognize that many contractors and flooring specialists lack proper licensing from the Department of Insurance and are not authorized to advocate for you in water damage public claims. Unlike them, we are state-licensed public adjusters fully equipped to legally represent and defend your interests throughout the entirety of the water damage and flood claim procedures.


Guide You Through The Commercial Vandalism Claim Or Theft Claim Process
With our role as your independent public adjusters, we pledge unwavering support through the complete continuum of the claim process, offering professional guidance, negotiating on your behalf for optimal payouts, and handling all associated documentation dutifully. Presence is crucial, and hence, when a field scoping agent conducts an assessment of the inflicted damages on your property, you can count on us to be there alongside you, ensuring your claim is meticulously evaluated and rightfully supported.
ASSIST WITH EVERY STAGE OF YOUR COMMERCIAL VANDALISM CLAIM OR THEFT CLAIM
Navigating the complexities of a theft or vandalism insurance claim can be overwhelming, no matter what stage you're at. Our expertise lies in guiding you through from start to finish.
- Facing resistance from your insurer on Additional Living Expenses (ALE) or Loss of Use claims? We will interface with your insurance provider and strive to secure reimbursement for the extra living expenses you've shouldered during your displacement.
- If subpar repairs or unqualified rebuild services offered by your insurance company have left you dissatisfied, we stand ready to champion your right to quality restoration. We will advocate on your behalf for repairs and replacements that align with the "like-for-like" quality guarantee specified in your policy, ensuring you are justly compensated to replace what was lost with equivalency, not inferiority.
- Should you encounter the unfortunate predicament of a denied insurance claim, we are here to voice your concerns. Armed with evidence and a thorough rationale, we will articulate the validity of your theft or vandalism claim to your insurer, pushing for the coverage you rightfully deserve.

Excel Adjusters Will:
- Conduct in-depth evaluations of property damage due to theft, vandalism, and fire incidents.
- Offer comprehensive solutions to restore damaged structures and premises.
- Thoroughly review your insurance policy to clarify your coverage entitlements.
- Ensure that you meet all compliance responsibilities as outlined in your insurance contract.
- Investigate the full scope of your loss, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
- Accurately estimate the replacement costs or calculate any applicable depreciation.
- Compile detailed business equipment claims for comprehensive recovery.
- Gather and prepare supporting data necessary for substantiating loss of income claims.
- Draft meticulous documentation necessary for securing advance payment requests from your insurer.
- Evaluate potential microbial contamination, including mold and fungus, that could affect health and property value.
- Handle total loss assessments and scrutinize insurance estimates to protect your interests.
- Work diligently to expedite the claim process, minimizing disruptions to your life or business.
- Negotiate tenaciously to achieve a settlement that aligns with your satisfaction and best interests.
What We Charge
Navigating the complexities of loss and claims can often be a strenuous task. At Excel Adjusters, we have simplified our price structure to support you effectively. We operate on a contingent-fee basis where our remuneration is a modest percentage of the settlement we secure for our clients. If your claim does not result in a recovery, you owe us nothing—no hidden fees, no expenses. We're committed to your peace of mind, which is why we provide complimentary consultations and claim guidance to empower you throughout the process.
Your Rights
Dealing with vandalism, theft, or fire at your commercial property can be distressing. If you're considering filing a claim, allow Excel Adjusters to lend their expertise. State regulations mandate that you are entitled to a just adjustment for your claim, and insurers are bound to compensate you fairly for any losses incurred.
At Excel Adjusters, we advocate vigorously for your rights, making sure that lowball offers and unnecessary delays are not part of your claims experience. Our dedicated team works to ensure that insurance companies fulfill their responsibilities, particularly when liability is beyond question.
Receive the focus and commitment your case merits by scheduling a no-cost consultation. Contact us to explore your specific situation concerning vandalism or theft. We're here to safeguard your interests and guide you toward a favorable resolution.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When faced with the unfortunate event of property vandalism, partnering with a public adjuster can streamline your claims process. While timelines vary due to claim complexity, our dedication is to swift and thorough services, aiming to secure your settlement promptly.
To bolster your vandalism claim, having the correct paperwork is crucial. Be prepared with your insurance policy details, photographic evidence of the damage, any repair or replacement receipts, and any additional relevant documentation. These materials are seminal in expediting your claim’s assessment and resolution.
Opting for a public adjuster in Riverside when dealing with a vandalism claim can be pivotal in how it’s resolved. Not only do they offer expert claim evaluation and documentation, but they also advocate on your behalf, negotiating with insurers to potentially enhance your final settlement outcome.