Although it is sad to think that someone would intentionally harm your home or property, vandalism does happen—and more frequently than you might believe. It can take a variety of shapes. Any of these kinds of property damage are deemed acts of vandalism.
- Vandalism on a wall, carport, or other covered structure
- Shattered windows
- Damage to the landscape, such as tree removal or carving
- Stolen signs from your yard
- Shattered windows
- Arson
Steps you can take to protect your home against vandalism
1. Buy homeowners insurance
One of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself against vandalism damage to your home is to buy a homeowners insurance policy. Your homeowners insurance covers vandalism in most cases. However, you might not be protected against vandalism damage if your home is unoccupied, vacant for at least 90 days, or if you run a home business. Home-based business owners might need to buy insurance products like a policy rider or endorsement to acquire more coverage.
2. Become acquainted with your neighbors
Oftentimes, your neighbor may see someone in your yard who doesn’t belong. Become familiar with your neighbors and be on the lookout for each other’s homes for someone who doesn’t belong. If you are going on vacation, it’s probably a good idea to let your neighbors know so they can be extra vigilant in keeping an eye out for anything amiss.
3. Install a security system or burglar alarm
A security system or burglar alarm will alert the police if someone tries to break into your home. There are many models on the market from budget-friendly to highly sophisticated systems costing thousands of dollars.
Steps you should take if your home has been vandalized
Once you realize your home has been vandalized, there are a number of steps you’ll need to take.
- File a police report and give a detailed account of any stolen or damaged items.
- Make any temporary repairs needed to ensure your safety, such as boarding up a shattered window.
- Take a video of the damage or take pictures with your cellphone.
- File an insurance claim and provide details of the accident along with any photo or video evidence of the damage.
As a professional home inspection service, we want to help you protect your home. Unless you are buying new, there may be hidden damage behind the walls or in the home system such as the electrical or HVAC systems. Let us take the worry away. Give us a call at (774) 200-0519 to schedule your home inspection today!
