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Does Your Insurance Cover Crime Scene Damages?

Before making a Los Angeles crime scene damage insurance claim, it is important to know whether your insurance policy actually covers the cost of crime scene clean-up. If it does, you need to know what exactly will be covered.

Los Angeles Crime Scene Damage Insurance Claim

Fortunately, most insurance policies will cover the cost of crime scene cleanup. In most cases, it is referred to as biohazard coverage. This not only covers all the costs associated with the aftermath of a crime but also after an unattended death or suicide.

However, before making a claim, it is advisable that you review your policy document. You can also get in touch with our experienced Los Angeles public adjuster, who will help you understand the nature of the insurance coverage that you will get.

Other Options To Cover The Cost Of Cleanup

Unlike other cases, insurance is not the only way to cover the cost of crime scene cleanup. You do have other options as well.

One of the best options that you have, as a resident of the State of California is to apply for support from the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB). Among other things, it also compensates for crime scene cleanup costsnot exceeding $1,709.

We will help you to determine whether you are eligible for CalVCB program. Contact our team to know more.

The Different Types Of Coverage

Depending on the policy that you have, you are liable to get coverage for different types of damages and other costs that you might incur. Here are some of the main type of costs that is usually covered in crime scene insurance

Housing Damage Coverage

If your home is damaged due to a break-in or other such criminal activities, then you are liable to get coverage against any such damages. This would normally include the cost of replacing doors, windows, and other such items.

Biohazard Cleanup

Biohazard materials like blood, viscera, and other bodily fluids are often found at the crime scene. Cleaning them requires special attention and care, making the process expensive. The cost of such specialized cleanup will be covered under insurance.

Personal Property Coverage

If your personal belongings and valuables are damaged or stolen, then this would help pay for their repair and replacement. This includes everything from expensive jewelry to even electronic gadgets like smartphones, laptops, television, and home appliances.

The specifics might differ depending on the particular insurance policy that you have. You can get in touch with our public adjuster and we would help you with further details.

What is Covered in Crime Scene Cleanup Insurance?

It is important to understand what is covered in Crime scene cleanup insurance, as that would help you plan accordingly. Here are some examples of the things that are covered in crime scene insurance.

  • Cleaning after crimes like burglary, breaking and entering, arson etc.
  • Cleaning biohazard materials in case of suicide and unattended deaths.
  • Making small repairs to the home to fix the damage caused by a crime.

The items covered by your crime scene insurance claim depend on the policy that you have brought. Our team will help you review all the clauses in your policy document so to help you clearly determine what is covered and what is not covered in your insurance policy.

Here are some important insurance documents that you should keep handy when before you initiate the claims process

Document How to Obtain
Liability Insurance Policy Contact an insurance provider that offers liability insurance for crime scene cleanup businesses and apply for a liability insurance policy.
Certificate of Insurance (COI) Request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from your insurance provider after obtaining a liability insurance policy. The COI is a document that provides evidence of your insurance coverage and typically includes information such as policy number, coverage limits, and effective dates.
Additional Insured Endorsement If required by a client or project, request an Additional Insured Endorsement from your insurance provider. This endorsement extends liability coverage to another party (e.g., property owner, client) as an additional insured under your policy.
Renewal Notices and Endorsements Keep track of your policy’s renewal dates and any endorsements or updates to your coverage. Your insurance provider should send you renewal notices and endorsements as needed.
Proof of Premium Payments Keep records of your premium payments, such as receipts or bank statements, as proof of payment for your liability insurance policy.
Insurance Agent/Broker Contact Information Keep contact information for your insurance agent/broker handy for any inquiries or updates related to your liability insurance policy.

 

The Process We Follow For Crime Scene Damage Insurance

At Done Right Restoration, we follow a process that reduces the stress of filing an insurance claim. Here is an overview of the process we follow.

The Process We Follow For Crime Scene Damage Insurance

  • Report the crime to the police and the fire department, depending on the case. After completing their due process, make sure that you keep the reports safely with you.
  • Next, you need to call your insurance company right away. You would need to share the details with the company and schedule an appointment with their adjuster. Keep in mind that you should not remove any damaged items yet. If any personal belongings have been stolen, you might need to provide your home insurance company with the following details –
    • The time and place of the purchase
    • The estimated value of your item
    • The item’s brand and model

    In some cases, your insurance company may request the following documents:

    • Bank statements
    • Credit card statements
    • Photographs
    • Receipts
    • Serial numbers
    • Guarantee

These might be provided online or in person when the adjuster visits your home.

  • Contact our public adjuster. We will visit your property to assess the damage and make a report from our end
  • If required, you might need to make emergency repairs. An advanced insurance payment might be arranged for this. Our team will help you with this.
  • Photos and videos of the damaged areas and items need to be taken. It is also a good idea to itemize the damaged items along with their value.
  • The adjuster from the insurance company will visit your home and make the assessment.
  • All the required paperwork will be completed in due time and submit them to the insurance company in the specified format
  • The insurance team would be regularly contacted to follow up on the status of the claims. You would be given regular updates as well.
  • When the claim is settled, we would make sure that all the final paperwork is also completed to avoid any hassles in the future.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases,the insurance policy usually covers the structure of the residence or property, only.  Any contaminated items such as clothing and furniture will not be covered under insurance. But your insurance policy will most likely cover the cost of medical waste disposal.

If the property is damaged as a result of the crime, your landlord’s property insurance will usually cover the cost to replace building materials and repair the structure. In most cases, your rental insurance will cover the cost of replacing any unsalvageable personal belongings after the deductible is covered but it will not cover the cost of repairing the building. Without renters insurance, you will be covering the cost of all your belongings on your own.

The claims process depends on many different factors. In most cases, the process might take anywhere from 4 weeks to a few months.