13 Things to Do If Your Home Gets Broken Into
Updated: Oct. 04, 2018
Know the steps to take following a break-in, so you can start moving forward as soon as possible.
Call the police
You’ll want to report the incident to the police to establish a record and also get information for filing an insurance claim.
Here are the sneaky ways FBI agents protect their homes.
Take pictures
Photos will provide additional evidence of what your home looked like following the burglary or robbery. Police photos might be incomplete or the insurance company might need additional photos.
Find out the surprising ways burglars can break into your house.
Don’t touch anything
There is the potential that you could destroy any evidence in your home before the police arrive.
Locate pets
If a door remained opened after a burglary, it’s possible you might need to locate your pets if they aren’t in the home.
Call insurance company
Call your insurance company quickly so they can help guide you through documenting damage, making a list of missing items, and making claims.
Don’t miss the 25 things you need to do when you move into your new home.
Document everything
Keep a complete list of what was taken and its approximate value. You might even want to draw pictures or let the police know of specific identification marks. Keep an extra copy of the list for insurance purposes.
Don’t throw out broken property
You might be tempted to throw out damaged property out of frustration, but those items need to be documented for any possible claims.
Discover the sneaky way thieves can break into hotel safes.
Locate proof of ownership documents
It’s a good idea to keep documents related to big purchases, because it can make providing proof of ownership to insurance companies easier.
Secure your home
It might be time to take a look at security weak points in your home and take steps to strengthen security. It could mean adding security cameras, additional lighting or tougher locks to a home.
Call your bank
It’s good to call your bank even if you don’t know if any financial records were taken. You may not see the effect of stolen bank documents right away, but you can avoid any potential losses by changing accounts, pins, and other financial information.
Let the neighbours know
Burglars like to strike in the same area multiple times because they’ve usually cased a neighbourhood for some time before striking. So be a good neighbour and let your neighbours know about a burglary.
Follow up with police
You’ll want to find the burglar immediately, but crimes don’t usually get solved overnight. Be sure to follow up with police periodically to keep abreast of the investigation.
Talk to someone
A burglary will summon feelings of being unsafe, and that can have a lasting effect. If you’re experiencing residual effects from the burglary, be sure to speak with a professional who can help with anxiety issues.
Next, check out the 18 things pickpockets don’t want you to know.
