Malicious Mischief

What Does Malicious Mischief Mean?

Malicious mischief is a type of peril that involves the intentional destruction of property. While most criminal statutes refer to this act as malicious mischief, it is commonly known to the public as vandalism. Although there may be legal distinctions between the two, they are generally considered the same crime. As a result, property insurance that covers these damages is typically referred to as vandalism and malicious mischief (VMM) insurance.

Insuranceopedia Explains Malicious Mischief

Most homeowner and commercial insurance policies cover damage caused by malicious mischief. Coverage limits and per-claim caps for vandalism vary between carriers, which is one of the points worth checking when comparing the best homeowners insurance companies. However, if a property is frequently unoccupied, the insurance company may charge a higher premium for this coverage. For example, churches may need to pay more for malicious mischief coverage because they are often unoccupied during the week. Businesses that face repeated vandalism risks sometimes add commercial crime insurance to broaden their coverage beyond what a standard property policy includes.

Auto insurance policies may also cover damage from malicious mischief through comprehensive coverage, also known as other perils coverage. Vandalism claims fall under comprehensive rather than collision, which is one of the main differences between comprehensive and collision car insurance.