Facts about the Property Damage Release of Liability template

Contents

What is a Property Damage Release of Liability?

A property damage release of liability is designed to provide protection from lawsuits if an accident damages personal property. In it, the person whose property was damaged gives up the right to take legal action, usually in exchange for an immediate settlement. Business owners may also ask their customers to sign this document before agreeing to perform work. A property damage release of liability is also called a property damage waiver, hold harmless agreement or waiver of liability.
The home is one of the most common things included in a property damage release of liability, but personal property includes many other items. For example, vehicles, laptops, tablets, smartphones, TVs, refrigerators, and clothing are all considered personal property. Property damage waivers are frequently used in situations such as taking a smartphone to an electronics repair shop, having a favorite dress dry-cleaned, requesting emergency towing for a car or hiring a contractor to remodel the kitchen.
A liability release form only applies to damage caused by unexpected accidents during normal business operations. They don’t cover negligence. If your equipment caused damage to a client’s property because employees didn’t maintain it in proper working order or engaged in negligent acts, the release of liability doesn’t apply.

What is a Property Damage Release of Liability used for?

A property damage release of liability is sometimes used after an accident has already happened to your personal property. If hail damages your home’s roof, your insurance company may require you to sign this release form in exchange for a one-time payment for repairs or roof replacement. You can also use a property damage release of liability ahead of time as a way to protect your business from liability for accidents. For example, many plumbers require clients to sign a waiver before getting started with repairs.

Why should you use a Property Damage Release of Liability?

As a business owner, using a property damage release of liability gives you some degree of protection against costly lawsuits. You can’t watch your employees 24/7 or control their every move, so accidents sometimes happen. You don’t want to be held liable for thousands of dollars because your worker accidentally ran over a sprinkler while cutting grass, for example.
Not using a property damage release of liability leaves open the possibility of lawsuits. You should always use this document if you agree to pay for any damages, such as covering the cost of a broken window out of pocket. Without a signed waiver, the person can still sue you, even if you thought the matter was resolved.

How to write a Property Damage Release of Liability?

It’s important to choose a property damage release of liability template that adapts to your needs. For example, a property damage waiver used before you start work on a client’s home will sound very different from one designed to settle after an accident has already happened.
Here are some elements to include:

  • Releasor: The name of the person giving up the right to legal claims or damages.
  • Releasee: The person, business or insurance company that benefits from the property damage release of liability form. After the form is signed, they no longer have to worry about claims from the other party.
  • Property description: Information about the type of property involved. If you run a construction company, you may mention the client’s home and possessions inside or outside the home.
  • Activity details: Either a description of the specific accident that happened or a general description of the type of activities protected by the release form.
  • Compensation: Details about any payments or benefits received in exchange for signing the waiver. This only applies when damage has already happened.
  • Date: The date when both parties sign the property damage waiver.
  • Signatures: The signatures of both parties.

How to fill out a Property Damage Release of Liability with PDFSimpli in five steps

  • 1: The Preparation Process:

    Filling out a property damage release of liability isn’t difficult, but it requires specific information. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to agree ahead of time with the other person about the amount of compensation that’s fair. In the case of preventative waivers for your business, you may want to speak with an attorney to make sure you have the best legal protections according to your state’s laws.

  • 2: Software Selection:

    Picking the right software makes a huge difference when creating your own PDF forms. Most PDF readers only let you open forms or fill in some blanks. With a property damage release, you need to be able to customize the legal language to different situations. That’s why PDFSimpli is popular. You can edit text, remove sections, add sections, add images and make tons of other changes, all in your browser. PDFSimpli is compatible with Windows PC, Apple devices and Android systems.

  • 3: Filling Out or Editing the Property Damage Release of Liability:

    We recommend starting with a template as a base and going from there. Before you start filling in the blanks with the Add Text Tool, check the overall terms. If you need to delete something that doesn’t apply to your situation or business, use the Erase Tool. To add a new paragraph, select the Add Text Box Tool. Click and drag on the screen to choose the size.

  • 4: Review Step:

    Always take time to check the information in your completed form. You don’t want mistakes to cause you problems later. Make sure any names and compensation amounts are correct.

  • 5: Saving, Downloading, Printing or Sending for Signature:

    Congratulations! Your new property damage waiver is ready to go. Next, click “Save” at the top of the screen. Choose a name for your PDF document. From here, you can download it to your computer, upload it to the cloud, print it out or request an e-signature right away from the other person. PDFSimpli lets you do it all in a few minutes.

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Property Damage Release of Liability frequently asked questions

A property damage release of liability doesn’t replace general liability insurance. Whether you clean residential carpeting, paint homes or install custom cabinets, it’s smart to have your clients sign a property damage waiver. Unfortunately, this form can’t protect you against all claims. For example, an injury isn't always covered by property damage waivers in different states.
For this reason, most business professionals also carry liability insurance. This gives you two layers of protection against unexpected lawsuits. Also, many customers feel safer knowing that you’re fully insured, which makes it more likely for them to hire you.

Signing a property damage waiver isn’t something you should take lightly. After all, you’re giving up the right to sue if your property gets damaged. That said, many businesses won’t agree to perform work for you unless you sign. Your insurer generally won’t settle any claims unless you fill out the property damage release of liability.
Before signing, always read the document carefully and make sure that any compensation fully covers the damage to your property. If there’s something in the settlement agreement you don’t understand, contact an attorney for assistance.

If the damage to a vehicle happens because of an auto accident, and especially if anyone in either car was injured, you should use a car accident release of liability instead. A property damage waiver or property damage release form is generally used when a vehicle is damaged while parked. Maybe you were trimming tree branches and one accidentally smashed the windshield on your neighbor’s car. Or a hailstorm caused tons of dings to your car. Even vandalism can be included in this form.

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