Steps to Take After a Break-In

Coming home to discover that someone has burglarized your house or apartment can be a traumatic experience. Not only do you have to deal with replacing the stolen items, but you must also cope with the emotional distress and the feeling of being violated.

The following steps can guide you as far as what to do after a break-in and assist you in managing the long-term psychological effects that often result from a home intrusion:

Call the police immediately.

The longer you wait to seek help after a burglary, the better the chance that the culprit will make a clean getaway. Before you do anything else, contact your local police department to report the crime. If you’re concerned that the burglar might still be in your house, go to a neighbor’s home and wait for the police to arrive.

Don’t touch anything.

There’s a chance the burglar left behind physical evidence that could link him or her to the crime. Sorting through your belongings or moving items around could destroy the evidence and make it harder for the police to investigate. Let the police do their job first — there will be plenty of time to clean up later. However, you should take pictures of the scene, as your homeowner’s insurance company will likely need them to facilitate the claims process.

Make a list of damaged or stolen items.

If you’re still inside your home while you’re waiting for the police to arrive, you can start to make a list of things you know are missing or damaged. As you walk through the property with the police, you may also discover some items you can add to the list.

Contact your insurance company.

You will want to file a claim with your insurance carrier so you can receive compensation for your damaged or missing items. If you have your insurance policy handy, check it to see what coverage it provides. Be sure to have the police report for the incident with you when you call, as the agent or claims adjuster will likely request the report number and other information.

Start cleaning up.

Cleaning up the mess left behind by the intruder is one of the most difficult steps to take after a break-in. However, restoring everything back to normal is an important part of the healing process and is essential for moving on with your life.

Bolster home security after an intruder targets your home.

If you’re the victim of a burglary, you’ll want to do everything possible to ensure it doesn’t happen. Identifying and addressing your home security vulnerabilities will also aid the healing process by giving you the peace of mind of knowing you’re reducing the risk of another break-in.

Contact Titan Alarm, Inc. for Your Home Security Needs

If you are a resident of the Phoenix, AZ area, Titan Alarm is happy to design as well as install an up-to-date security system that will provide an effective defense against break-ins. For more information and to schedule a free in-home security consultation, contact us today.

Learn More About Preventing Break-Ins

Updated by Titan Alarm on October 31, 2018.