Vandalism Insurance
How Do Insurances Cover Vandalism? Throughout our lives, we have all experienced some form of vandalism against our property, or we know someone who has. Often, we see on television and in print media news related to such acts, such as a car intentionally set on fire or a house with damages like broken windows, graffiti, or similar damages.
Sadly, a small segment of society, whether an individual or a group, finds amusement and adrenaline rushes in committing these harmful acts. Although hard for the majority to comprehend, this is the reality, even if we can’t find the answer…
In today’s times, many insurance policies offer coverages related to vandalism for specific cases. Before delving into details, let’s briefly define what a vandalistic act is.
Definition of Vandalism in Insurance
In the insurance industry, a vandalistic act is defined as any act committed by an individual or group against someone else’s property or living being, with the sole intent of causing unwarranted damage without any profit motive.
A vandalistic act against a person or animal is considered an assault and is punishable by law, even leading to jail sentences. The kind of vandalism discussed in this article pertains to personal items like cars, motorcycles, or homes. This refers to actions such as graffiti, tire damage, stone throws at windows, or even arson.
If the culprits of the vandalism are identified, they must compensate for the damage. However, in many cases, it’s essential to first file a police report, since reaching an agreement with such individuals can be challenging. That would undoubtedly be the simplest and quickest solution for everyone, but it’s not always feasible.
Comprehensive home, car, or motorcycle insurances include coverages related to repairs or compensations for damages caused by vandalistic acts.
What are the most common acts of vandalism? Do insurances compensate for them? Let’s address these concerns.
Which Insurances Cover Vandalism?
The most commonly known and used insurance types offering coverages against vandalism include car, motorcycle, and home insurances. These are the three main assets we own throughout our lives, which are most at risk of facing these vandalistic acts, which can sometimes be very costly to repair.
Vandalism in Car and Motorcycle Insurance
When looking for the best car or comprehensive motorcycle insurance, several factors should be considered. One such factor is where the vehicle will be parked overnight; parking on the street vs. in a garage can greatly differ. Also, factors like the neighborhood or the area’s vandalism rate can influence.
Imagine living in a big city, commuting daily by car to work, but without having nearby parking, leaving your car on the street. This exposes it to higher risks. Therefore, having damage coverage in car insurance is reassuring since the insurance will cover the compensation or repairs for any act deemed as vandalism, such as scratches or other damages.
Typically, comprehensive car insurances offer this coverage, but you can also add it to other types of policies based on the guarantees they provide.
The same applies to motorcycles; if you’re comparing motorcycle insurance, make sure it includes this coverage, ensuring peace of mind in case your bike gets scratched or suffers more significant damage.
What About Punctured Car Tires? Is it Covered by Insurance?
Tires have a special provision in car insurance policies. It’s vital to be clear about this when signing up to avoid future disappointments. If only the tires face damage from an accident or vandalism and not any other part of the car, the insurance might not compensate. However, all insurance types offer a free tire repair service.
It’s crucial to have a tire repair service in your insurance, which can come in handy during emergencies.
In any case, it’s always advisable to file the previously mentioned police report, especially if there might be security cameras nearby that could identify the culprits.
Reporting a Broken Side Mirror – Does Insurance Cover That?
If you find a broken side mirror, you should check if it’s covered by your policy. However, your insurance advisor can help you select the best policy tailored to your needs.
It’s also important to remember that not all vandalistic acts are individual incidents. There are exceptional cases like riots, demonstrations, uprisings, or acts of terrorism that can cause severe damages to our cars, which aren’t covered by our insurance company. The Compensation Insurance Consortium will be responsible for repairing damages to the affected vehicles or compensating the owners if repairs aren’t possible.
As we’ve seen before, a small contribution from your policy goes to the Compensation Insurance Consortium, enabling us to benefit from their assistance in such situations.
Vandalism at Home
In home insurance, vandalism is considered when the structure or the contents of a house are maliciously damaged by outsiders, with the sole intent of causing harm or amusement, like spraying graffiti on a house’s façade or garage.
Generally, acts of vandalism related to the structure are more frequent than those against the contents. Common incidents include breaking facade glasses, graffiti, damages to doors, or destroying personal items.
If vandals cannot be identified, having a vandalism-focused coverage in your home insurance will alleviate the repair costs, as long as they fall within the insurer’s previously set limits.
