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Vandalism Damage Lawyer: Ohio Homeowner’s Insurance Claims

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An Attack on Your Property Is Disturbing. Get Help Moving Past It.

When someone maliciously damages your home, it leaves you feeling unsafe and angry on top of the mess to clean up.

Property crime rates in Ohio have been declining for years, but the state wasn’t immune to the recent national increase in 2022, according to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission. And while Ohio’s property crime rate was nine percent less than the national average, it experiences more property crime than neighboring states.

Vandalism is more common where there are more people. Ohio’s big cities—Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus—have higher rates than the countryside.

This kind of property damage, however, is often personal, where the vandal knows the victim.

No one is completely immune from someone else’s bad intent, and so it’s a good idea for every homeowner and renter in Ohio to have insurance against vandalism.

Standard homeowner’s insurance policies cover damage from vandalism and mischief affecting your property and possessions. These clauses often cover damage from riots, civil unrest and theft.

But every case is different. Homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover all acts vandalism. It’s important to understand how your policy and the law apply to your circumstance when you’ve been targeted.

At Horenstein, Nicholson & Blumenthal (HNB), our clients’ security is our priority. When you’re facing a property damage claim, you want a compassionate attorney who fights for you to recover what you’ve lost, including your sense of peace.

If you live in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton or anywhere in Ohio and someone damaged your property, our vandalism damage lawyers help. We’ve helped thousands of people.

For more than 40 years, Ohioans have been saying, “Helping me, that’s HNB.”

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    Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover All Types of Vandalism?

    The reasons behind vandalism vary, but it’s never justified. That’s why a strong homeowner’s insurance policy is so important to protect you from other people’s bad decisions.

    By definition, vandalism is willful destruction of property. This includes a building’s structure and its contents. It’s considered a felony under Ohio law. Arson is the most dramatic example.

    Criminal mischief is often lumped in with vandalism in homeowner’s insurance policies, but it differs from vandalism because the damage is usually minor. It’s a misdemeanor offense in Ohio. Teenagers egging your house on Halloween is an example of criminal mischief.

    When someone inflicts damage to your property, insurance should cover the cost of repairs above the deductible in your homeowner’s insurance. The most common acts of vandalism are caused by angry ex-spouses or partners.

    There are situations that may require you to have additional coverage, or the insurance company may decline to pay a vandalism or criminal mischief claim. These include:

    Vandalism by the insured: If the damage is done by someone on your homeowner’s insurance policy, their destructive acts won’t be covered.

    Vandalism during home construction: Unless you have additional coverage, property under construction is considered a high risk to be targeted by squatters and thieves. Insurance typically won’t cover this type of damage.

    Vandalism to unoccupied buildings: This applies to vacation homes or buildings that aren’t used everyday. “Unoccupied’ means that you have personal belongings in the home, while “vacant” means the property is empty. A home may be considered vacant if no one is living there for 30 to 60 days—and therefore won’t be covered by homeowner’s insurance. You may want to consider additional vacant home insurance if you have a property that’s not always in use.

    When someone damages your home, get a legal expert at your side. At HNB Law, our vandalism damage lawyers guide you through an insurance claim and weigh your options should law enforcement find the person who vandalized your property.

    We’ll provide an initial consultation on your situations and options for free.

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    A woman dealing with a vandalized home

    Renters or Landlords: Who Needs Insurance for Vandalism?

    When you rent or own a rental property, knowing whose insurance policy covers what when it comes to vandalism can be complicated.

    The short answer is everyone should have a policy to cover damage caused by another person.

    If you’re renting, vandals can destroy your personal property along with the apartment or home where you live. Renters insurance will typically cover the damage to your possessions. The property, however, will need coverage under the landlord’s insurance.

    If you own the property and your tenants cause the damage, you may find yourself in a difficult position. Homeowner’s insurance typically won’t cover it.

    When you’re the victim of vandalism, take action. There are several steps to increase the chances of filing a successful homeowner’s insurance claim.

    File a police report. Vandalism is a crime, and a police report will go a long way to identifying the damage as covered under insurance.

    Document the damage. Take photos and careful notes to best account for all the damage that may be insured.

    Prevent further damage. This doesn’t mean making repairs. You should wait until you file a claim and understand your payment before fixing the damage. Instead, you should cover up broken windows or a damaged door—areas that can encourage further break-ins or let in rain or wind and make the situation worse.

    When you’re picking up after an act of vandalism, don’t tackle it alone. You’re under stress. A good lawyer can be a real asset.

    At HNB, we fight for our clients every day, whether it’s in the insurance claims process or in court. We’ve won millions in awards and settlements for Ohioans.

    Let HNB help you put this episode behind you.

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