Being the victim of a home burglary is something that no one ever wants to experience. Unfortunately, far too many people find themselves in this situation. When it comes time to file your residential property insurance claim, you may have to consider a couple of different things. Was this burglary simply an act of theft (they took your belongings) or did they also vandalize your home or belongings in the process? Some thieves get in and out of a house without ruining anything, while others have a blatant disregard for your space and smash or break things. This is the difference between burglary and vandalism.
Once you figure this out, there are a couple of steps you should take to help your case during the insurance claim process. These steps can mean the difference between compensation to replace your property, and a totally denied claim.
- Call the police and triple check their report after they investigate to make sure everything is accurate. When you call your claim in to your insurance company, they are going to check everything you've said against that report, so it's vital to get your story straight.
- Write down everything that has been stolen or damaged. If possible, try to go through your bank/credit card records or receipts to prove that you purchased these things and that they were actually in your house. If you do not have the purchase information anymore, look through old pictures to see if the items are in the background - this can help prove your case as well.
Documentation is key, so remember that you can never have enough. If your insurance company is giving you trouble about your residential property claim following a burglary and/or vandalism, contact a Texas insurance litigation lawyer at The Voss Law Firm, P.C. for a free consultation at 888-614-7730.
