In a perfect world, we would all have friendly, responsible, and reasonable neighbors. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and our firm frequently receives calls from our clients about damage their neighbors have done to their properties. Often, those neighbors do not have proper insurance…

In a perfect world, we would all have friendly, responsible, and reasonable neighbors. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and our firm frequently receives calls from our clients about damage their neighbors have done to their properties. Often, those neighbors do not have proper insurance coverage.

The complaints we receive cover a wide range of issues: basement flooding damage caused by a next-door neighbor’s hose that was left on all night; water damage as a result of an upstairs neighbor’s overflowing tub; or a tree on a neighbor’s property falling onto a client’s fence or car. We have also had calls about a neighbor’s ladder falling and shattering a client’s window, and complaints about a neighbor’s dog scratching through a client’s brand new screen door.

Of course, if all neighbors had the proper insurance, these situations would be easier to manage. But what can you do if your neighbor damages your property and has no insurance?

The quickest way to get your property repaired may be to call your insurance agent in order to make a claim on your own insurance policy—provided that you have proper coverage and the damage is over your deductible.

Many...