The Vacancy Rule You Never Knew Existed

Vandals spray paint your garage. They break windows. They damage your fence.

You file a claim. The insurance company denies it.

Your property was vacant for 35 days. The policy excludes vandalism coverage after 30 days vacancy.

You never lived there. It was your weekend home. The insurance company claims any unoccupied period constitutes vacancy.

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How Insurance Companies Deny Vandalism Claims

Vacancy Exclusions

This remains the most common denial tactic. Policies exclude coverage when properties are vacant beyond specified periods.

Insurance companies claim any unoccupied period constitutes vacancy. Weekend homes, investment properties, and homes during vacations all get denied.

They ignore the distinction between vacancy and temporary absence. Regular maintenance visits, connected utilities, and furnished interiors demonstrate ongoing occupancy.

Protective Safeguard Violations

Policies with protective safeguard endorsements require specific security measures. When these systems fail or are not operational, insurance companies deny claims.

They investigate security system status retroactively. A broken camera or disabled alarm becomes grounds for denial.

Most policies do not contain these endorsements. Insurance companies claim violations even when no requirements exist.

Failure to Mitigate

Insurance companies claim you failed to prevent vandalism through reasonable precautions. They argue inadequate security measures demonstrate negligence.

Policies require mitigation after damage occurs, not prevention before damage happens. You must prevent additional damage once vandalism is discovered.

Insurance companies conflate prevention with mitigation. They deny claims based on alleged prevention failures.

Damage Attribution

Insurance companies deny claims by arguing damage resulted from other causes. They claim broken windows came from storms rather than vandals.

They claim graffiti was already present before you purchased the property. They argue deterioration or neglect caused damage, not vandalism.

Police reports and physical evidence establish vandalism. Insurance companies ignore this evidence when convenient.

Timing and Immediate Actions

File police reports immediately upon discovering vandalism. Police documentation establishes that vandalism occurred.

Photograph all damage from multiple angles. Document graffiti messages, broken items, and destruction patterns.

Contact insurance companies within 24 to 48 hours. Prompt notification prevents denial based on reporting delays.

Secure property to prevent additional damage. Board broken windows, lock damaged doors, and protect vulnerable areas.

Contact us immediately. Early involvement prevents documentation mistakes that insurance companies exploit.

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Common Vandalism Claim Denial Reasons

Insurance companies deny claims based on vacancy exclusions. They claim any unoccupied period constitutes vacancy.

They deny claims citing protective safeguard violations. They claim security systems were not operational.

They deny claims arguing damage resulted from causes other than vandalism. They claim storms, deterioration, or neglect caused damage.

They deny claims by classifying tenant damage as non-covered rather than third-party vandalism.

They minimize graffiti claims by proposing paint-over solutions rather than professional removal.

We counter every one of these denial tactics. Insurance companies cannot use standard excuses against properly prepared claims.

Commercial Property Vandalism Claims

Businesses face severe vandalism impacts. The U.S. Small Business Administration reports average costs of $3,370 per incident.

Commercial properties experience more frequent vandalism than residences. Retail storefronts, office buildings, and industrial facilities all attract vandals.

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Business Interruption Issues

Vandalism forces business closures during repairs. Graffiti on storefronts drives away customers before cleanup occurs.

Broken windows and damaged doors compromise security requiring immediate attention. Businesses cannot operate with unsecured premises.

Insurance companies deny business interruption claims arguing repairs should not prevent operations. They claim businesses should relocate temporarily.

We document that vandalism necessarily interrupts business operations and pursue full income loss recovery.

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Inventory and Equipment Damage

Vandals destroy merchandise, equipment, and inventory. Spray paint damages products. Destroyed equipment halts operations.

Insurance companies minimize inventory losses by claiming damaged goods retain partial value. They argue equipment can be cleaned rather than replaced.

Contaminated inventory cannot be sold. Damaged equipment loses functionality and reliability. We establish total loss values rather than accepting cleanup proposals.

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Security Enhancement Costs

Vandalism reveals security vulnerabilities. Businesses install enhanced systems, lighting, and physical barriers after incidents.

Insurance companies deny these costs claiming security improvements are not covered damage. They argue prevention measures do not qualify as repairs.

Reasonable security enhancements directly result from vandalism. We pursue coverage for necessary protective measures.