Theft & Vandalism
Property theft and vandalism insurance claim documentation and recovery.
Theft and vandalism claims are won or lost on documentation. The carrier needs a police report, proof you owned what was taken, proof of its value, and evidence of the damage done getting in. Most policyholders have none of that ready, and the claim is reduced to whatever can be proved from memory. We build the inventory, establish values, document the physical damage, and handle the carrier's investigation, which in theft claims can feel more like an accusation than a claim.
Building the inventory
The contents inventory is the claim. We reconstruct what was taken from photographs, receipts, bank and credit card statements, warranty registrations, manufacturer records and the owner's recollection, and we establish replacement cost for each item. Jewelry, firearms, electronics, art and collectibles usually carry sublimits and special documentation rules; we identify which items fall under which limit and whether scheduled coverage applies.
Vandalism and the damage done getting in
Break-in damage, including broken doors, windows, locks and safes, is a separate covered loss from the stolen property. Vandalism claims add damage done deliberately: graffiti, destroyed fixtures, flooding from opened taps, and, in rental properties, damage left by departing tenants. The policy language on vandalism, malicious mischief and tenant damage varies widely and carriers apply the narrowest reading. We read the policy you have and claim every covered element.
Rental and vacant properties
Landlord policies cover vandalism, but carriers deny these claims by invoking vacancy clauses, tenant-caused-damage exclusions, or disputes over when the damage occurred. A home vacant for more than a set period, often 30 or 60 days, may lose vandalism coverage; a home where tenants were temporarily away is not vacant. The facts matter, and so does getting them on the record before the carrier frames them.
What we cover
Free Claim Review
Send us your policy and any correspondence from the carrier. We will tell you what the claim is worth and whether representation will help. No cost, no obligation.
(818) 905-6800Send a MessageWhat carriers dispute on theft & vandalism
Theft & Vandalism: common questions
Usually the carrier is invoking a vacancy clause or a tenant-damage exclusion. Whether either applies depends on the facts: how long the property was unoccupied, whether tenants were in possession, and who caused the damage. A police report and the lease are the starting documents. Many of these denials do not survive a review of the actual policy language.
Yes. Receipts are one form of proof, not the only one. Photographs, bank and card statements, warranty registrations, manufacturer records and a detailed sworn inventory are all accepted. We build the inventory from whatever exists.
Theft claims are investigated for fraud more than any other loss, and the process, including recorded statements and examinations under oath, can be intimidating. Having a licensed public adjuster handle communication with the carrier keeps the investigation within the policy's terms and protects your claim.
Most policies cap jewelry, firearms, cash, silverware and some electronics at a few thousand dollars unless the items were scheduled separately. We identify which items fall under a sublimit and whether any rider or floater policy applies.
File a police report immediately, photograph everything before cleaning or repairing, secure the property, and do not throw anything away. Then call us before giving a recorded statement to the carrier.
Related claim services
Complete home damage claim management for homeowners, from single-family homes to condos and apartments.
Large-scale commercial property damage claims including business interruption.
Expert handling of water, plumbing, and flood damage insurance claims.