According to FBI statistics, a burglary, on average, results in a loss of $2,661 to the homeowner. However, having property insurance can help you mitigate this loss via the facility of insurance claims.
By making an insurance claim, you get reimbursed for the property that was damaged or lost, allowing you to start rebuilding. However, it can be difficult to figure out the types of property you can make an insurance claim for and the kind of proof you need. In this brief, we will be answering these questions so you can have an easier time making an insurance claim if you ever need to make one.
Let’s get right to it.
Does Property Insurance Cover Damages and Theft from a Burglary?
If your house’s structure gets damaged, such as the windows, doors, or walls, your property insurance will likely cover it. The same is true for the items in your home getting damaged or stolen, including TVs, furniture, and computers.
Generally, loss or damage of your personal property from a burglary is considered to fall under property insurance coverage. Damage to the structure of your home or office will fall under the Dwelling Coverage. Inversely, damage to your jewelry, electronics, and other such items will fall under Personal Property Coverage.
Will Property Insurance Cover All Your Belongings?
Property insurance will cover most belongings that are damaged or stolen due to a burglary, such as electronics, furniture, and valuables. However, there are some limitations that you should be aware of. Property insurance usually places a limit on how much the insurance company will pay for your insurance claim. The limit varies from insurance plan to insurance plan. Different insurance companies also tend to have different insurance coverage limits.
Something else to understand about insurance coverage is deductibles. The deductibles are the amount of money you will be responsible for paying for the damage or theft of your insured property. Deductibles allow insurance companies to share the risk with you when you insure a property.
When Does Property Insurance Not Cover Stolen Property?
There are circumstances when an insurance company won’t cover stolen property. For instance, insurance companies may not cover stolen property if your house was under construction during the theft. You might need a different kind of insurance for that, called builders risk insurance. Furthermore, if the burglary has gone unreported for a long time, your insurance company will refuse to cover it.
Insurance companies also don’t provide coverage for vehicle theft in your property insurance, so you will have to opt for added insurance for that. Additionally, it usually doesn’t cover wear and tear damage, intentional loss of property, and botched renovations.
If you have property insurance for your business, then the Businessowners Policy (BOP) even excludes land, water, plants, shrubs, and trees from the property insurance coverage. It also excludes other non-attached structures to your property, such as fences and signs. You may even need to buy optional coverage extensions for burglary and robbery.
Will You Be Denied an Insurance Claim if You Don’t Have a Security System?
Not having a security system in your home is not usually a requirement for getting property insurance, but it does help you get more evidence for filing a claim. You can get video footage or pictures of the burglary, which can help make filing an insurance claim ten times easier. Having a security system may also afford you a credit on your insurance policy.
Final Thoughts
Filing an insurance claim is a difficult process, especially when the insurance company is giving you the runaround or has denied your claim. It is important to remember that insurance policies vary widely from place to place and company to company. You should proactively consult with your agent to determine the policy that is best for you and what limits and deductibles you should set for your property insurance. Once you’ve got a policy in place and the insurance provider isn’t holding up its end of the bargain, then you should call CORE Public Adjusters to help you with your claim.
References
https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/topic-pages/burglary
https://www.iii.org/article/understanding-your-insurance-deductibles
