property damage (2024)

Property damage is injury to real or personal property. An example could be a chemical leak on a piece of real estate, or damage to a car from an accident. Property owners can obtain property insurance to protect against the risk of property damage.

[Last updated in April of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]

property damage (2024)

FAQs

Property damage? ›

Property damage (sometimes called damage to property), is damage or destruction of real or tangible personal property, caused by negligence, willful destruction, or an act of nature.

What is classified as property damage? ›

Property damage is injury to real or personal property. An example could be a chemical leak on a piece of real estate, or damage to a car from an accident. Property owners can obtain property insurance to protect against the risk of property damage. [Last updated in April of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]

What is an example of property damage? ›

Property damage meaning is defined as harm to real or personal property that occurred due to natural forces or someone's act or omission. Damage to property examples can include: Residential property damage, including damage to your home, trees, and driveway. Commercial property destruction.

What is the meaning of damaging property? ›

Property damage occurs when your property is destroyed or damaged. The property loses some of its monetary value and/or loses its functionality as a result of the injury it sustains. Property damage is different from bodily injury. Bodily injury occurs when you or someone else is physically hurt.

What is it called when someone destroys your property? ›

It can be through defacing, damaging, or destroying public or private property. For instance, vandalism can take the form of someone spray-painting a wall without the consent of the owner, or slashing the tire on another person's vehicle. The perpetrator of this crime may face penalties or fines.

What is property damage also known as? ›

Property damage (sometimes called damage to property), is damage or destruction of real or tangible personal property, caused by negligence, willful destruction, or an act of nature.

What is an example of property damage in general liability? ›

In the course of cleaning a customer's living room carpet, you accidentally knock over a lamp and break it. That's property damage. It involves harm to the property of a third party — in this case, your customer. Be aware, however, that property damage liability does not always involve the destruction of property.

What are the consequences for damaging property? ›

If the monetary value of property damaged is over $400, the prosecution has the option of whether to pursue felony or misdemeanor charges. Misdemeanor vandalism charges for property valued over $400 can result in up to a year in jail and/or up-to $10,000 in fines.

What does ruining property mean? ›

Destruction, damage, or vandalism of property is generally defined as willfully or intentionally destroying, damaging, defacing, or otherwise injuring real or personal property without the consent of the owner or the person having custody or control of it.

What is the crime of damaging or destroying property? ›

Vandalism: Graffiti, keying cars, breaking windows, and other acts of property defacement fall under the umbrella of vandalism. Arson: Intentionally setting fire to a building, vehicle, or other property constitutes arson and is considered one of the most serious forms of criminal damage.

What is a person who deliberately causes damage to property? ›

A vandal is someone who deliberately damages things, especially public property.

What is the word for purposely damaging property? ›

VANDALISM | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary.

What is the first action that should be taken when a property is damaged or destroyed? ›

There are four things to do to start the recovery process when your home was damaged or destroyed in a disaster. Step 1: Call your insurance company to file a claim. Step 2: Apply for aid from government organizations. Step 3: Contact your mortgage servicer and let them know what happened.

What is the definition of damage in real estate? ›

Property damage is the damage or destruction caused to physical or intangible property. It's considered 'damaged' if the property: Loses monetary value.

What is property damage in construction? ›

What is Property Damage? Property Damage is a broad term that may refer to any physical damage that has been done to a person's property, whether it be tangible or intangible. Property damage can range from a broken window to a destroyed house, and can even involve intangible losses such as loss of data.

What is the legal definition of property destruction? ›

Destruction of property means causing damage to the property of another or to property jointly owned by the perpetrator and another.

What is the legal definition of damages? ›

Damage is an act of harm that is done to someone; it is also the determined amount of money that is award someone who got hurt in an accident of some kind.

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