Handle A Situation That Involves Vandalism And Theft At Your Residence
Posted on: 25 January 2018
Homeowners insurance will protect your residence and the contents in it if they are vandalized or stolen. If you were recently out of town on a family vacation and came home to find that some of your jewelry is missing and there are visible signs of forced entry, use the advice that follows to assist with dealing with the crisis.
File A Police Report
You likely are fearful and may even be experiencing rage or confusion. Try to gain control with how you are feeling by leaving your home and heading to a safe location. Contact the police and request that an officer meet you at your present location. Removing yourself from the crime scene will ensure that you are not apprehended by the person who broke into your home if they are still on the property.
While waiting for the officer to arrive, write a list of the items that you noticed were missing so that you can give it to the law official. Of course, additonal items may be missing and more damage may be revealed upon further inspection of your home, but it will still be helpful to provide a brief description of what you encountered when you first arrived home.
Contact Your Insurance Company To File A Claim
If you decide to stay at your home after an officer has checked the premises to make sure that an intruder is not present, it is important that you do not disrupt the crime scene. Your first order of business is to contact an agent at the insurance company that you have insurance coverage with. Provide the agent with details associated with the theft and vandalism and let the agent know that you have filed a report with the police.
The agent will assist you with filing an insurance claim and will make arrangements to have a insurance representative stop by your residence. The representative will take photographs of any damage to your home and will acquire information about possessions that have been stolen.
Stay In Contact With The Representative
After your residence has been inspected and photographs have been taken, it may take several weeks for your insurance claim to be approved. Stay in contact with the representative so that they can update you concerning the claim and so that you can provide the agent with additional information if you think of something important that you previously forgot to mention. If your claim is approved, funds received can be used to make repairs or replace items that were stolen.
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