Vandalism can leave property owners in Hermosa feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. The unexpected damage can be stressful, but knowing how to navigate an insurance claim is key to restoring your property. With the right guidance, securing a fair settlement is entirely possible.
Excel Adjusters is here to simplify the process, advocating for you every step of the way to ensure you receive proper compensation.
What Qualifies as Vandalism?
Vandalism means intentionally damaging or destroying property, and it can happen in different ways, such as:
- Breaking windows, doors, or lights
- Tampering with plumbing systems
- Spray painting or defacing the building’s exterior or interior
- Damaging your lawn, trees, or bushes
- Breaking locks
- Arson, like setting fire to the property on purpose
Are Vandalism Claims Covered Under Your Insurance Policy?
It’s vital to ensure that your insurance policy provides vandalism coverage. Contact your insurance provider to confirm the details and check for any coverage limitations—some policies may only reimburse up to a certain amount, such as $500, regardless of the actual value of the property damaged or stolen.
Also, ask your insurance provider whether the policy includes market value replacement or replacement cost coverage. With market value replacement, reimbursement is based on the item’s depreciated value. In contrast, replacement cost coverage reimburses you based on the item’s full, current retail price.
Need to File a Vandalism Claim in Hermosa? Excel Adjusters Will Help To:
- Work as an advocate for your rights to ensure a fair settlement with the insurance company.
- Accelerate the claims process to minimize delays.
- Evaluate and assess damage to the building from vandalism.
- Provide professional restoration services to help recover the property.
- Prepare and submit all required documentation for the claim.
- Review your insurance policy coverage to confirm what’s protected.
- Evaluate your compliance obligations to avoid potential issues.
- Measure and assess the damage thoroughly to determine the loss.
- Consider replacement cost and depreciation factors for a fair settlement.
- Prepare claims for business equipment losses, if applicable.
- Assemble data to support any claim for loss of income, if relevant
- Review the total loss claims and assess the insurance estimates provided.
Tips for Preventing Vandalism
While vandalism can’t be entirely avoided, you can take certain precautions to lower the chances:
- Ensure the area around your property is well-maintained by trimming shrubs and mowing the lawn.
- Avoid hiding spare keys in locations that are easy to guess.
- Make sure to secure doors with deadbolts and lock all windows, including sliding doors.
- Install exterior lighting that’s difficult to deactivate.
- Report suspicious activity to law enforcement without delay.
- Adding a security system to your property can also provide additional protection.
- Consider installing a security alarm system for added protection
Be Prepared: Document Your Valuables
You may not be able to predict vandalism, but by taking proactive measures, you can strengthen your insurance claim. These include:
- Photographing your property and belongings, both inside and out, to document potential damage.
- Retaining all receipts for business-related purchases.
- Creating a comprehensive list of items within the building.
- Storing essential documents in a fireproof safe or box for additional security.
- Maintaining title and ownership paperwork to prove the value and ownership of your property.
What To Do If You Are A Victim of Vandalism
If vandalism occurs, these steps are crucial to help secure a fair settlement for your vandalism insurance claims:
-
Ensure the Building is Safe Before Reentering
If there’s any chance someone is still inside, make sure to call 911.
-
File a Police Report
It’s essential to file a police report to create an official record of the damage, which will be necessary for your insurance claim.
-
Take Photos of the Damage
Be sure to take detailed photos of all the damage caused by the vandalism. This will serve as vital documentation for your claim.
-
Contact Excel Adjusters, a Licensed Public Adjuster
Insurance companies can be difficult to work with, especially after your property has been vandalized. Once you file a vandalism insurance claim, the insurer will typically send an adjuster to inspect the damage. This inspection, also known as “field scoping,” helps the insurer assess the damage and determine repair costs. However, it’s important to remember that these adjusters work for the insurance company and may not always provide a fair evaluation, possibly resulting in limited coverage or compensation.
To ensure your interests are properly represented, consider reaching out to a licensed, independent public adjuster. At Excel Adjusters, we are dedicated to advocating for your best interests and securing a fair settlement for the vandalism claim on your property.
-
Prepare a List of Stolen and Damaged Items
After you've contacted the police and Excel Adjusters, start compiling a thorough inventory of all the damaged or stolen items. Make sure to provide:
- The dates and locations where each item was purchased
- Item costs and receipts, if available
- Photos or videos documenting the items' condition
- Title or ownership papers to establish ownership and confirm their value
How Excel Adjusters Can Help With Your Vandalism Claim in Hermosa
Excel Adjusters is an independent firm with a clear mission: to serve you, not the insurance company. Our job is to stand by your side, helping you navigate the claims process and secure a fair and reasonable settlement for your vandalism claim. Here’s how we can assist:
We’ll help to:
Notify Your Insurance Provider
We ensure that all communication with your insurance provider is taken care of efficiently and correctly, streamlining the claims process.
Advocate on Your Behalf For a Fair and Reasonable Settlement
As your advocate, we work on your behalf to negotiate a fair settlement. Our direct communication with the insurance company, combined with our expertise, ensures you receive proper compensation for your vandalism-related damages.
As state-licensed professionals, we are authorized to provide legal representation throughout your vandalism claim. Unlike many contractors, we have the necessary licensure from the Department of Insurance to fully advocate on your behalf.
Guide You Through the Vandalism Claim Process
We’ll be with you every step of the way, guiding you through the paperwork and negotiations with the insurer. Additionally, during the field scoping inspection, we will accompany the adjuster to make sure everything is properly documented and evaluated.
Assist with Every Stage of Your Vandalism Claim
If you are facing challenges in getting ALE or Loss of Use expenses reimbursed, we will work with your insurer to attempt to secure reimbursement for the costs of your temporary accommodations. Our goal is to ensure that you are not financially burdened while your property is being restored.
Insurers may sometimes reduce costs by opting for substandard repairs or using unprofessional contractors. If you find the repairs insufficient or unsatisfactory, we will advocate for you to make sure the "like-for-like" standard is upheld and that you receive proper compensation to replace your items to their original condition.
In the case of a claim denial, we will provide the necessary evidence to your insurer and argue the case for why your vandalism claim should be covered. Our expertise ensures that you get the compensation to which you are entitled.
What We Charge
We charge a small percentage of the final settlement we achieve for you. If your claim doesn’t result in a recovery, we won’t charge any fees. We also provide free consultations and ongoing guidance throughout your claims process.
Your Rights
If vandalism has caused damage to your property and you’re in need of filing a claim, Excel Adjusters is here to help.
Under the authority of the State Department of Insurance, you have the right to a fair claim settlement. The insurance company is bound to cover your losses, and you are under no obligation to accept an unfair offer or suffer delays in your claim process. Excel Adjusters will ensure that the insurance company honors its commitment to a just settlement.
For dedicated guidance, contact us for a free consultation to discuss your vandalism claim in Hermosa.
If you're facing a homeowner property claim in Hermosa, we're here to lend our assistance!
*According to the Insurance Information Institute
