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Asked 5 months ago - San Diego, CA
FlagIf a home owner claims to their homeowners insurance company that a third party damaged or vandalized their property and the home owner wants to file a claim to repair the damages, does the homeowners insurance company first investigate by contacting the supposedly responsible person first to get their story and doing an investigation before litigating?
Generally the insurance company will conduct an investigation in this type of case and try to talk to the alleged vandal, the police may also get involved through you or the insurance company. The vandal may not speak with anyone, even the police, as they will not want to admit anything and they can take the 5th amendment. The insurance will want to do an inspection, get statement from the owners and any witnesses, take pictures, estimate the damages to prepare a cost of repair and determine any non-covered items, etc. They will also be looking for any type of fraud which may have been committed by the homeower, such as arson, etc.
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