Vandalism Coverage

What You Need to Know

Vandalism coverage is typically included as a covered peril in standard commercial property insurance policies, protecting against intentional damage caused by outsiders (not your employees — that's covered by employee dishonesty insurance). Common vandalism includes spray-painted graffiti on exterior walls, smashed windows, slashed seating, damaged outdoor furniture, destroyed signage, and sabotaged equipment.

The coverage pays to repair or replace damaged property after your deductible, subject to your policy limits. Most policies require you to file police reports and provide evidence of vandalism for claims to be paid.

Why It Matters for Restaurant Owners

Restaurants are frequent vandalism targets, especially those with street-facing windows, outdoor seating, prominent signage, or locations in high-traffic urban areas. A single vandalism incident can cause $5,000 to $20,000+ in damage, and repeated incidents cost even more while damaging your reputation.

Prevention measures beyond insurance:

• Install visible security cameras with night vision and 30+ days of recorded storage
• Maintain bright exterior lighting on timers or motion sensors around all walls and entrances
• Remove graffiti immediately — leaving it invites more
• Install impact-resistant windows or security film if in a high-risk area

Report vandalism to police immediately and file reports even for minor damage — police reports are required for insurance claims and help establish patterns that may lead to arrests. Take photos before cleanup to document damage for insurance claims.