Businesses in all sectors constantly face the risk of vandalism and theft.
Nearly half (45%) of Canadian small businesses reported being directly impacted by crime, including vandalism, in 2024; a significant jump from 24% the previous year.
Recently, the Ottawa Citizen reported vandals had damaged fibre optic cables of a telecommunications company that cut internet access to its customers in the Ottawa area, noting, “there has been a troubling rise in vandalism and attempted copper theft to network infrastructure” in the region.
Vandalism is a property crime characterized by deliberately damaging or destroying property. According to Statistics Canada, the occurrence rate of property crimes, including vandalism, was 3,314 incidents per 100,000 population in 2022.
Vandalism and theft are persistent threats for business owners to contend with – even a fire department in Saskatchewan had equipment stolen from its fire hall in 2023.
What Types of Insurance Cover Damage From Vandalism and Theft?
Business owners who are concerned about protecting their properties and equipment from vandalism should have commercial property insurance. It includes coverage for theft and vandalism of business contents, equipment, and damage to commercial property.
To protect portable tools and equipment, such as those used by contractors and construction professionals, tools and equipment insurance can provide reimbursement to repair or replace tools if they are stolen, vandalized, lost, or damaged by fire or water.
For business vehicles, commercial auto insurance covers damage to vehicles caused by vandalism and theft, provided the policy includes optional comprehensive insurance.
Comprehensive auto insurance covers damage to business vehicles caused by theft, vandalism, natural disasters, extreme weather, flying or falling objects, fire, or collisions with wildlife if an animal darts out in front of you unexpectedly while driving.
5 Vandalism Claims We Helped Resolve
Below are five real-life examples of vandalism-related claims filed by our clients in the past 12 months that we helped them resolve:
1. Smashed glass and destroyed cupcakes
Client’s industry: Food and hospitality
One night, a devastating act of vandalism shattered more than just glass.
A vandal broke through the front display window of our client’s bakery, wreaking havoc inside, destroying every glass showcase, and ruined hundreds of beautifully crafted baked goods – including 450 cupcakes specially prepared for an upcoming event.
Thanks to their commercial property insurance, our client recovered over $63,000 to repair the damage and replace the lost inventory, helping them get back to doing what they love: baking for their community.
2. Smash-and-grab at the car wash
Client’s industry: Automotive services
A vandal quickly escaped after destroying our client’s car wash point-of-sale terminals – pummeling the credit and debit card machines into useless shards.
No data or money was stolen, but the damage was brutal.
Fortunately, their commercial property insurance stepped in, covering over $12,000 to replace the critical equipment and keep business flowing.
3. Graffiti with a chemical twist
Client’s industry: Food and hospitality
When our client – a restaurant owner – showed up at his eatery one morning, he expected to prep for the lunch rush, not find his front window defaced with an unknown chemical agent.
It wasn’t just spray-painted graffiti – it was an acidic or staining substance that professional cleaners couldn’t remove.
His commercial property insurance covered $1,500 to replace the permanently damaged glass.
4. Drive-by window smashing
Client’s industry: Food and hospitality
There’s something about storefronts that seems to attract trouble.
Our client, who runs a sandwich shop, saw it firsthand when two teens on bikes hurled rocks through their front window in broad daylight.
Just like that, shattered glass and a disrupted business day.
But their commercial property coverage paid $1,000 to get them a brand-new window.
5. Should have asked for a mulligan instead
Client’s industry: Sports and recreation
Golf is meant to be relaxing – but one customer took a bad swing a little too personally.
Fuelled by frustration, he lashed out and smashed a golf simulator at our client’s indoor golfing facility.
It wasn’t par for the course, but thankfully, business contents insurance (as part of their commercial property policy) covered the $1,500+ repair bill.
7 Ways for Business Owners to Help Prevent Vandalism
Here are seven practical tips small business owners can use to help prevent acts of vandalism against their property and equipment:
1. Install surveillance cameras
Monitored surveillance cameras can deter vandals and thieves. Install them in strategic areas, including entranceways, display windows, storage sheds, and parking lots.
2. Invest in lighting
Well-lit business properties with motion-activated lighting around a building’s perimeter are less appealing to vandals.
3. Secure your property’s perimeter
Installing fencing and gates, locking dumpsters, and keeping outdoor areas tidy indicate that a business is proactive about monitoring and protecting its property.
4. Display security signage
Posting signage in highly visible areas shows that your business has video surveillance and alarm systems and reinforces that the property is secured.
5. Install a monitored alarm system
Pair surveillance cameras with a 24/7 monitored alarm system that alerts you and law enforcement of break-ins or vandalism after business hours.
6. Remove graffiti immediately
Having graffiti cleaned and removed from damaged property quickly sends the message that vandalism won’t be tolerated.
7. Hire security guards
Hiring a security guard company to patrol your property after usual business hours helps increase security visibility and reduces the likelihood of theft and vandalism.
Protect Your Business: Get Customized Commercial Insurance
Zensurance is Canada’s leading source for small business insurance. Hundreds of thousands of Canadian small business owners and self-employed professionals across industries trust Zensurance to get them the customized, low-cost business insurance protection they need.
Fill out our online application for a free quote in just a few minutes.
Let our team of knowledgeable insurance brokers shop our network of over 50 insurers to get your business the right coverage, tailor it to suit your specific needs, and issue the policy documents and a certificate of insurance in 24 hours or less.
– Reviewed by Reagan Elly, Senior Claims Advisor, and Alexandra Ignagni, Team Lead, Property and Hospitality, Zensurance.
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