A home burglary is an unsettling event. Make sure you know what steps you must take after a break-in occurs. Certain steps are very important for your police report, reclaiming your property and for your insurance claims. After you have dealt with the post-burglary logistics, enforce a new security standard that will enhance the safety of your home. Here's what to do immediately after a burglary:
Contact the Police
As soon as you detect a burglary, call the police. This first step is a priority, as the longer you wait, the harder it will be for the authorities to track down the burglars. If you caught a glimpse of the individuals who broke into your home, write down all the visual things you remember about them. Make sure you include the number of intruders, height, gender, age, race, clothing and in which direction they fled. Identify the point of entrance where the intruder entered your house, as this could be helpful evidence. Include the detailed nuances of your stolen items within your police report, such as serial numbers or personal engravings.
Take Photos
Use your smartphone or digital camera and immediate photograph the aftermath of the burglary. Refrain from touching anything before the police arrive, so you don’t compromise the crime scene. Take photos of the state of your home for the police and also for insurance claims. Your insurance can use as many forms of evidence as possible, and photos are an excellent supplement to the police report. Be thorough with the photos of your home — make sure you capture photos of every room and any possible entrance points. Also take photos of any receipts you may have of the items stolen, as that will also be helpful for your insurance claim.
File Insurance Claim
File your insurance claim after you have your police report. Your insurance company will require the report number and information about the point of entry, property damaged and stolen items. Nearly every insurance company has a deadline for a theft claim, which could range between 48 and 72 hours after the incident. Fill out your claims form, which you can obtain from a claims agent, and document every detail of the damaged and stolen property. Attach the photos you took, on the claims form, so your insurance can adequately review your situation. The more information you can provide your insurance provider, the more compensation you will get for your loss.
Prevention
After the break-in and theft, identify the security weak points in your home. Burglars may target your home based on its curb appeal — overgrown lawns, mid-block houses, cul-de-sac homes and townhouses appeal to burglars for accessibility and likelihood of frequent vacancy. Awareness of your home’s risk will help you enhance your security. Install security cameras you can monitor from your phone, like the Lorex security cameras. Purchase a perimeter alarm, which will deter burglars from break-ins. Upgrade your lighting, so your exterior lights will automatically detect movement and will reveal any trespassers on your property. Also invest in timers for your indoor lighting, so the frequent light changes will give the illusion that people are home. Make sure your doors have a properly-installed deadbolt with a 1-inch throw and a case-hardened bolt. A deadbolt is advantageous because it is pick-resistant, drill resistant and has key control.
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