Property Damage Attorneys Specializing in Vandalism and Theft Claims
Natural disasters bring out the best in some people. It often leads to an outpouring of support from neighbors, nearby communities and the entire nation. Unfortunately, there’s a darker side to human nature that also manifests in the wake of hurricanes: looting and vandalism. There are some people who take advantage of the lack of police or first responders in the wake of a hurricane to vandalize and loot homes and businesses in their community.
Most homeowners and renter’s policies list theft and vandalism as covered perils, but there may be certain hurricane-related circumstances that complicate your ability to collect damages.
For example, most home insurance contracts include a policy loophole known as home abandonment. Essentially, if you abandon your home or it’s left vacant, it may jeopardize your ability to successfully collect on theft or vandalism claims. They argue that the loss only happened because you weren’t there to protect your property.
These claim denial causes aren’t insurmountable, but you may benefit from the assistance of a Florida property damage attorney when you’re making the case to your insurance company.
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Proving Your Property Was Stolen or Damaged
It’s a good idea for people in Florida, especially those with homes in coastal areas where hurricanes are a real possibility, to maintain home inventories. These lists of your possessions, especially the expensive ones, are invaluable if you ever need to file a personal property loss claim. Having receipts and proof of purchase is even better.
Unfortunately, many people don’t keep these types of inventories. When they do go to file a claim for property that was stolen after a hurricane, they may have trouble convincing the insurance company their losses are legitimate.
In some cases, you can work with your bank to find a paper trail for your purchases and get the claim recovery you deserve.
Always File a Police Report as Soon as Possible
The instant you realize your property has been stolen or vandalized, you should contact law enforcement and make a report. This report will add validity to your claim and show that you took action to recover your property.
Should You Call a Property Damage Lawyer in Florida After a Theft or Vandalism Loss?
Whether you’d benefit from the assistance of a lawyer is highly dependent on the extent of your losses. Businesses and homeowners with significant assets are particularly susceptible to large vandalism or theft losses in the lawless periods immediately following hurricanes, especially when government officials or police are preventing people from returning to their homes.
The team at Kanner & Pintaluga will do our best to ensure your vandalism or theft claim results in the fullest recovery possible. Call us at 800-586-5555 to discuss your situation.
