Do I Get Theft or Vandalism Coverage for My Vacant Home?
You may have purchased a second home in New York State. Or, this is your primary residence, but you currently do not reside there as it is undergoing major construction and renovations. Lastly, you may not have been home for a while if you left on an extended vacation during the holiday season. Regardless of the specific scenario, you may be devastated when you return to your home and find that it has been subject to complete theft and vandalism. Well, for this, please follow along to find out whether you can get theft or vandalism coverage for your vacant home and how one of the New York residential theft insurance claim attorneys at The Law Office of Craig A. Blumberg, P.C., can help you work with your insurance company civilly.
What does “vacant” typically mean under New York homeowners’ insurance policies?
New York law does not set a specific definition for a “vacant” home; rather, it depends on the terms and conditions of your chosen homeowner’s insurance policy. But generally speaking, a home is considered vacant if it has been left uninhabited or not in regular use for anywhere between 30 to 60 days. Further, if the property has been left without essential furnishings (i.e., furniture, kitchenware, electronics and appliances, personal clothing and items, etc). Of note, your insurance policy may clearly distinguish this from what constitutes an “unoccupied” home, which is usually a property that is temporarily empty of inhabitants but still furnished and regularly maintained.
Do I get theft or vandalism insurance coverage for my vacant home in New York?
Say that your New York home was subjected to theft, vandalism, or malicious mischief after you have left it vacant for more than 30 to 60 days. Well, if this timeframe is over the enforced vacancy period for your specific homeowners’ insurance policy, they may unfortunately deny your claim and cite this vacancy clause. Their justification here may be that your property was knowingly at a higher risk for damage due to your extended time away. And also, with your inevitably delayed discovery, you may be unable to know the true scope of your initial damages from the act of theft, vandalism, or mischief. You may still qualify for coverage if you have previously opted for a vacancy endorsement or vacancy permit policy add-on. However, your final payout may still be very limited, and your deductibles may significantly increase as a direct result.
To conclude, you should not settle on your insurance company’s decision to deny your claim if you believe you are owed some sort of compensation for the troubling event. While we understand that you may not want to deal with any of this right now, it must be addressed for your sake and your financial well-being. So please allow one of the New York residential theft insurance claim attorneys at The Law Office of Craig A. Blumberg, P.C., to make this legal process less burdensome for you overall. We will be happy to help and give you much-needed relief.