Theft & Vandalism Claims

Houston Public Adjusters for Burglary, Theft, and Malicious Mischief Claims

Proving What You Lost

After a theft, the burden of proof is on you to document every single stolen item. For a vandalism claim, you must prove the damage was intentional and malicious. Insurers often challenge the value of stolen items and the scope of vandalism repairs, hoping you don't have the evidence to fight back.

Dependable Claims Specialists (DCS PIA) are experts at building theft and vandalism claims. We help you recreate a detailed inventory of stolen property, using photos, videos, and financial records to prove ownership and value. For vandalism, we document the full extent of the damage and fight for full replacement and restoration, not just a cosmetic patch-up.

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Common Theft & Vandalism Claims

Burglary & Forced Entry: Damage to doors, windows, and locks, plus theft of personal property.
Vandalism & Malicious Mischief: Graffiti, property destruction, and intentional damage.
Copper Theft: Theft of copper pipes and wiring from HVAC units and walls, causing extensive secondary damage.
Damage During a Burglary: Destruction of property that occurs during the course of a break-in.

Understanding Your Theft & Vandalism Claim

The Burden of Proof

For theft claims, you must prove you owned the stolen items. This is the biggest challenge. We help you gather evidence like original receipts, photos, videos, user manuals, and even statements from friends and family. A detailed inventory is the key to getting paid fairly.

Policy Sublimits

Many policies have sublimits for certain categories of stolen items, such as jewelry, firearms, and cash. For example, your policy might have a $100,000 contents limit, but only a $2,500 sublimit for jewelry. We review your policy to identify these limits and help you maximize your recovery within each category.

Vandalism vs. Wear & Tear

For vandalism claims, the damage must be proven to be "malicious" or "willful." An insurer might try to argue that the damage is simply wear and tear or was accidental. The police report is critical evidence, as are any photos or videos that show the intentional nature of the destruction.

Our Theft & Vandalism Claim Process

Police Report & Scene Documentation

We work with you to ensure the police report is accurate and we thoroughly document the scene before any cleanup.

Stolen Items Inventory

We help you create a comprehensive, room-by-room inventory of all stolen items with proof of ownership and value.

Vandalism Repair Estimate

We prepare a detailed estimate to repair all vandalized property, ensuring a full restoration to pre-loss condition.

Claim Submission & Negotiation

We submit the complete claim package and negotiate with the insurer to ensure you are paid fairly for both stolen items and property damage.

Theft & Vandalism Claim FAQs

What should I do immediately after a break-in?

First, call the police and file a report. Do not touch anything until the police have investigated. Then, take photos and videos of all the damage. Finally, call us before you call your insurance company.

I don't have receipts for my stolen jewelry. How can I prove I owned it?

This is a common problem. We can use appraisals, photos of you wearing the jewelry, statements from the jeweler who sold it to you, or even detailed descriptions to help prove ownership and value.

My vacant property was vandalized. Is it covered?

It depends. Many policies have a 'Vacancy Clause' that excludes coverage if the property has been vacant for more than 30 or 60 days. However, there are exceptions. We can review your policy to see if coverage applies.

The insurance company is depreciating my stolen TV to almost nothing. Can they do that?

They will try, by paying you the Actual Cash Value (ACV). However, if you have a Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policy, you are entitled to the full cost to buy a new, comparable TV. We make sure you get the full RCV payment.

Someone stole the copper pipes out of my walls. What is covered?

The theft of the copper itself is covered, but more importantly, the extensive damage caused by tearing out the walls to get to it is also covered. This 'tear out' damage is often the largest part of the claim.

Don't Be Victimized Twice.

After a theft or vandalism loss, you deserve a fair and thorough settlement. Let us handle the detailed inventory and documentation process so you can focus on recovery - not paperwork.

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