Does Insurance Cover When Tenant Trashes Home
My tenant finally left after posting eviction for non payment of rent. He got out before the sheriff and lock down. I live in New York and the home is in Las Vegas. The carpet is damaged, walls damaged and appliances stolen. Today, as the place was getting cleaned out by a friend, the next door neighbor knocked on the door wondering if my friend was the owner. It turned out her house was broken into and when my friend let her in, her furniture was in my house. The police were called and now I will be making a report. I am wondering before I call the insurance company and police, if I can collect anything as my house was not broken into but vandalized by tenants before they left!
Thanks for any feedback
There is a difference between "tenant abuse" and vandalism. It makes no difference to the landlord because you still incur the repair costs no matter what the insurance company calls it.
The only way to know for sure whether you are covered for your loss is to contact the claims service department of your insurance company. Filing a claim, even though you may be denied, will go on your insurance record.
Talk to the Agent BEFORE filing a claim or even talking to the insurance company claims department (many times the insurer needs to open a claim to initiate the investigation process). Vandalism is vandalism and theft is theft. If you have a policy that insures these perils, there would be coverage. "Wear and tear", however, is not covered under your insurance contract. There may be a fine line between the two, but there is a difference.
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I agree, talk to the agent first..(and without giving the address if possible). We were told that inquiries somehow negatively affect the CLUE score.
Jim
They will show on a CLUE, if the carrier OPENS the claim, regardless of whether they PAY a claim.
CLUE = Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, by the way...
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If the damage is less than or near your deductible, you can request that it be closed without pay. Though it will show on your CLUE, it will not have as negative of an effect as a paid claim (possibly none at all). You should ask your Agent about the ramifications of a paid claim on future premiums. In other words, if you receive a net payment of $500, for example, yet the claim increases your rate by $200 for 3 years, it would be better to close the claim without payment. Another argument for a high deductible, in my opinion...
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