How a Public Adjuster Can Help You in the Event of Theft or Vandalism

Every day, homes and businesses across the country fall victim to theft, burglary and vandalism that results in destroyed or damaged property. And while it might seem like you have nowhere to go for help, your homeowner’s insurance policy covers this type of damage — and as a result, you’ll want to file a claim to be sure you get the help you need with recovering from this event.

However, it’s important to take the right steps after discovering you’ve become a victim of theft or vandalism — if a mistake is made, your claim could ultimately be invalidated. To make sure you are able to get the best possible insurance claim after your have fallen victim to theft or vandalism, be sure to closely follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Make sure you’re safe

If you believe your home has been vandalized or stolen from, the most important thing to do is make sure there is no longer any criminal threat present on your property. Your safety is the most important thing! Once you’re sure the threat is gone, be sure to call the police so they can begin an investigation into the incident.

Step 2: Don’t interfere with the crime scene

It’s highly important that you refrain from touching, moving or cleaning any evidence left behind by the thief of vandal. This evidence is crucial for the police investigation, and all damage must be fully documented by your insurance company in order for your claim to be accurate. Also, your insurance company will cover the costs of cleanup and home restoration — there’s no reason to do all this work yourself.

Step 3: Consider seeking out public adjuster services

We typically think of a public adjuster as someone who helps adjust flood damage and fire damage claims. What you might not realize is that public adjuster services can also help improve the outcome of your insurance claim for theft and vandalism claims. By involving a public adjuster as early on in your claims process as possible, you can virtually guarantee the best possible outcome — by waiting until the last minute to hire one, you might be wasting your time and money.

Step 4: Let your insurance company know what has happened

After you have enlisted the help of a licensed public adjuster, it’s time to contact your insurance company to inform them of the theft or vandalism to which you’ve fallen victim. It’s important for your insurance company to obtain the most accurate documentation of the damage possible, so leave everything in its place until their documentation is complete.

Have any other questions for us about seeking out public adjuster services? Feel free to ask us by leaving a comment below.