Homeowners insurance covers vandalism. Check out what’s covered and when.
When someone intentionally damages your home or personal belongings, your homeowners insurance policy has you covered. Vandalism is generally covered under homeowners policy, protecting both the structure of your home and your stuff.
You’re protected as long as the property damage costs more than your deductible and you weren’t involved in causing it.
TL;DR
- Your homeowners insurance policy covers vandalism damage to your house structure and personal belongings
- After your deductible, your insurance company covers the rest of the repair costs
- The vandalism has to be intentional damage, not accidents or normal wear and tear
- File a police report and document everything to speed up your homeowners insurance claim
What is vandalism?
Vandalism means someone intentionally damaged your property just to cause damage, not to steal anything.
The key word is “intentional.” The damage has to be deliberate. Accidents, wear and tear, windstorm damage from natural disasters, or accidental damage don’t qualify as acts of vandalism.
Common vandalism examples
Here are a few examples of what counts as vandalism under homeowners insurance policies:
- Someone spray paints graffiti on your home’s exterior walls
- A person smashes your windows or breaks outdoor lights
- Someone cuts up your outdoor furniture or patio cushions
- Egging your house that causes property damage
- Someone breaks your mailbox or fence
- Destroying your landscaping or outdoor decorations
Does homeowners insurance cover vandalism damage?
Yes, your home insurance covers vandalism damage to your home’s structure and all your personal belongings. This includes your furniture, electronics, appliances, and other personal property inside your home. This type of property damage is considered a covered peril under most homeowners insurance policies.
You typically get replacement cost coverage (depending on your insurance provider), meaning enough money to buy new items rather than their depreciated value. You’ll pay your homeowners insurance deductible first, then your insurance company handles the rest.
What vandalism does your homeowners policy cover vs. what it doesn’t?
Homeowners insurance covers vandalism damage to your home’s structure and personal belongings in most situations. However, there are important cases when your policy won’t provide coverage. Here’s the breakdown:
| What’s covered | What’s not covered |
| Your home’s structure (walls, roof, siding, windows) | Car vandalism (requires car insurance coverage) |
| Personal belongings inside and outside your home | Intentional damage by you or household members |
| Detached garages, sheds, and other structures | Damage during vacant home periods (30+ days) |
| Landscaping and outdoor property (up to coverage limits) | Acts of war or civil unrest |
| Cost of repairs and professional cleaning services | |
| Temporary repairs to prevent further damage |
When vandalism is not covered
Your homeowners insurance policy includes certain exclusions. Vandalism isn’t covered if:
- You or someone in your household did it
- The home has been vacant for 30+ consecutive days
- It was accidental, not intentional
- It’s normal wear and tear
- You’re involved in illegal activity
Also remember: Vandalism to your car requires car insurance, and isn’t covered by your home insurance policy.
How does homeowners insurance cover vandalism?
Your homeowners insurance policy covers vandalism through multiple types of coverage that work together to restore your property and financial situation.
Types of coverage included:
- Dwelling coverage: Pays for repairs to the structure of your home and attached structures, like an attached garage if it’s vandalized or damaged by a covered peril, like a fire or home break-in.
- Other structures coverage: Pays for repairs to detached structures on your property, like a shed or fence. If they’re vandalized or damaged by a different peril.
- Personal property coverage: Pays to repair or replace your personal belongings, like your couch or lawnmower, if they’re vandalized or damaged by a covered peril.
- Personal liability coverage: If you accidentally cause property damage to others
- Loss of use coverage: If vandalism makes your home temporarily unlivable
What to do if your home has been vandalized
Here’s your action plan to protect yourself and preserve your homeowners insurance claim after vandalism occurs.
Step 1: Stay safe
If the vandalism just happened, get to safety first. Don’t confront anyone.
Step 2: Document the damage
- Take photos and videos of all property damage before touching anything
- Make a list of damaged personal belongings with estimated values
- Get videos showing the extent of damage
Step 3: File a police report
Contact police to report the vandalism. You’ll need this police report number for your home insurance claim.
Step 4: Secure your property
Board up broken windows if needed to prevent further damage (save receipts – your insurance coverage might reimburse these costs).
Step 5: Contact your insurance company
To get the claims process started, it’s helpful to have your policy number, police report, and photos of the damage ready.
Step 6: Consider temporary housing needs
If the vandalism makes your home unlivable, your homeowners insurance policy may include additional living expenses coverage to help with temporary housing costs while repairs happen.
How to file a vandalism claim at Lemonade
Filing a homeowners insurance claim, including vandalism, is straightforward – just gather your documentation and follow these steps.
What you’ll need:
- Police report number
- Photos/videos of the property damage
- List of damaged personal property with purchase dates and prices
- Repair estimates if you’ve received any
- Documentation of any medical expenses if someone was injured
How to file your claim:
- Open the Lemonade app and tap “File a Claim”: No phone menus or hold times
- Answer AI Jim’s questions about what happened, when it occurred, and what was damaged
- Choose “Vandalism” as your covered event type
- Document everything thoroughly: Photograph vandalism damage, entry points, and damaged items before cleaning up
- Record a brief video explaining what happened (about one minute, completely confidential)
- Upload all documentation: Photos, videos, police report, receipts, and repair estimates
- Submit your claim: You’ll get a confirmation and claim number to track progress
Track your homeowners insurance claim in real-time: Simple cases get approved by AI instantly, while complex situations go to human experts who’ll contact you directly.
Pro tip: Save receipts for temporary repairs or emergency housing costs, these are often covered under additional living expenses.
Before we go
Vandalism can feel personal and frustrating, but having homeowners insurance coverage means you’re not dealing with the financial hit alone. Your homeowners insurance policy does more than just cover vandalism, it protects against theft, fire, personal liability, and covers temporary housing if you need it.
Most importantly, document your belongings before anything happens. Keep videos, photos, receipts, and serial numbers in cloud storage, this makes filing a homeowners insurance claim much smoother if vandalism occurs.
