Burglary and Vandalism

Your home or business has been vandalized, broken into and/or items have been stolen and property has been damaged.  A burglary or home invasion is an extremely difficult and stressful situation for homeowners and business owners.  You may feel violated regardless of what was taken or damaged.  Once you have discovered you have been burglarized or are a victim of vandalism, you must immediately contact the police. Your local law enforcement agency will respond and conduct a complete and thorough investigative report which will include a list of all items stolen, damage to property, as well as details of the actual crime. You will have to assist the police to ensure that everything in the report is accurate.  Later, if you discover other items are missing, you will need to re-contact the police to ensure that the report be updated.  Your insurance company will verify that a report has been filed with the police and will utilize the responding investigative police report to assist in the decision over the amount of money to be paid out against the policy.  If you update the police report, you will need to notify your insurance company.

While, it is important to know the differences between burglary, theft, and vandalism, generally your investigating or responding law enforcement agency will most likely define the situation (according to state statute and code). However, here are your basic definitions:

Burglary

Burglary is the act of entering a property illegally with the intent of breaking a law. Elements of burglary include trespassing, breaking, and entering. Someone who commits burglary could do so in order to steal from the property, to illegally dwell there, or to vandalize property.

Theft

Theft or robbery is a criminal act in which a person takes someone else’s property without permission. While burglary often goes hand-in-hand with theft, theft can occur without burglary and vice versa.

Vandalism

Vandalism is the purposeful and malicious destruction of property by someone who does not own the property. It is sometimes referred to as malicious mischief or malicious trespassing. It is common for those who commit vandalism to first commit burglary, though not everyone who commits burglary is guilty of vandalism.

When your business or commercial property has been damaged by burglars, thieves, or vandals, the damage can be substantial and costly.  When submitting or presenting your insurance claim, it is important to understand exactly how your property was damaged and exactly what your policy covers.  D’Orsa and Associates, LLC public adjusters will help you present your insurance claim properly; as well as any supplemental claims to help you fully recover the total cost of everything that has been broken, damaged or stolen from your home invasion, burglary or vandalism.

Insurance companies will need proof that you owned the items that you are claiming to have been stolen from the burglary.  You must provide documentation to establish ownership, such as: credit card statements, receipts or even pictures. The more documentation you are able to provide, the easier it is for your policy provider to finalize the claim.

Dealing with being violated and victimized by burglary, vandalism or theft is stressful enough; you do not want to have to also fight with your insurance company.  D’Orsa and Associates, LLC public adjusters are available to help you through the insurance maze and recover the value of your stolen or vandalized property.  (877) 742-3587   -   (877) PI ADJUSTER