Picture this: you’ve just returned home from a vacation to find your home was robbed. Now what?

From losing irreplaceable items to dealing with property damage, a home burglary can take its toll on many, both physically and emotionally. We’ve created a step-by-step list for you and your family to follow during this difficult time.

Find A Safe Space

If you come home to find that your house has been robbed, your first instinct is probably to want to go inside and immediately start assessing the situation.

However, this can be incredibly risky as there are many details about the situation that you don’t know: Who broke in? When did they break in? How many people were involved? Are they still there? If so, are they armed?

Depending on the answers to these questions, you could potentially put yourself in a dangerous situation if you choose to go inside.

If you happen to be home when a break-in occurs, the smartest and safest choice is to vacate the premises immediately. Get yourself and your family members (including pets!) outside immediately and head to a safe space for the time being, such as the home of a neighbor, family member, or friend.

Call the Police

Once you and your family are in a safe space, call the police immediately. Once they arrive, they will investigate the situation and notify you when it’s safe to go back home.

When filing a police report, make sure to provide them with as much information as you can. Both the police report and a list of missing items are crucial when filing your insurance claim later.

Take Inventory of Stolen Items

As previously mentioned, a list of missing items is an essential piece of the puzzle when filing an insurance claim. While you’ll most likely notice larger or more valuable items (i.e., electronics, expensive jewelry, a safe, etc.) are missing first, it’s important to include all missing items on this list, no matter how big, small, valuable, or inexpensive.

When creating this list, gather as much information as you can to help increase your chances of your items getting returned.

Include as much of the following pertinent information as you can:

• Manufacturer or designer names
• Make, model, and serial numbers of electronics
• Identifying marks, such as scratches, labels, etc.
• Photos of harder-to-track items, such as jewelry

Creating this list can seem extremely cumbersome, especially when doing so in a high-stress situation. That said, it’s important to note the benefits of creating a home inventory beforehand.

If you don’t already, it will be worth your while to start listing out your belongings and their value as you acquire them. Having an up-to-date list of your belongings will help you greatly in the long run, especially if you find yourself in an emergency and must put together an inventory of stolen items.

Document Everything

As you go through your home and assess what items have been stolen, take photos or videos of every room. Don’t forget to include documentation of damaged items and property, such as doors, windows, lamps, mirrors, and so on.

It’s easy to forget things as time goes on, especially during times of high stress. Documenting everything as soon as possible will help you remember important details as time passes.

Do you have a video security system in place? Review this footage and send it to the police as well.

Call Your Insurance Agency to File a Claim

After you’ve filed a police report, you’ll want to reach out to your insurance agent as soon as possible (ideally within 24 hours) to file an insurance claim.

When discussing what happened, make sure that the list of stolen items you give your insurance agent matches the list you gave the police.

After the initial conversation, a claims adjuster will contact you regarding the next steps. While it’s possible to initially file your insurance claim without a police report or case number, you will need this information later to proceed with your claim. It’s best to have this information ready when you first contact the agency.

Clean Up 

While you probably want to clean up the mess the burglar made as soon as you get home, don’t! Immediately cleaning up can potentially destroy key evidence the police may need to catch the offender. You can start picking up your home after you’ve followed all the steps listed above.

Take Preventative Action

No one expects or plans for a break-in to occur in their home. However, if it has happened to you before, reevaluate and see how you can prevent future robberies.

Whether it’s installing motion-sensor lights, upgrading your security system, or simply making sure all windows and doors are constantly locked, these changes can help you greatly in the future to avoid another robbery. You also might want to review your coverage with your insurance agency to ensure you and your belongings are properly covered.

If you’re located near Stuart, FL and find yourself in a difficult situation, there’s no need to research “insurance agency near me” or “independent insurance agents near me.” Here at Gambale Insurance Group, our team is dedicated to being there for you when the unexpected occurs.

Contact us today and learn why so many local residents call us their insurance agent.