Discovering that someone has broken into your home can be overwhelming and scary. What should you do? Knowing the right steps to take after a burglary can be crucial to your safety and wellbeing. They can also help you get the best outcome from the police investigation and from any claims you lodge through your home and contents insurance.
There’s a lot to think about after a break-in, so we’ve compiled five essential steps that could help you take back control.
Your safety is the number one priority. Once you’re safe, follow these steps to help you focus on achieving the best possible outcome for you and your family.
First, call the police on Triple Zero (000). Remember, your safety is the main priority after a break-in and it’s possible the burglar may still be inside your home.
Even if the burglar has fled, the police will investigate the crime scene. They’ll gather evidence that may help with attempts to recover your possessions and assist with your insurance claim.
Any evidence the police find may help identify the intruder. So, it’s important that you don’t touch or move anything until the police have finished their investigation.
When filing their report, the police will ask you for a list of all the missing items and any damage. It’s important to make this list as soon as you can and take photos of any damage caused by the break-in.
This information will support your police report and any subsequent home and contents insurance claims you make.
Did the burglar take your credit and debit cards too? If they’ve been stolen, it's crucial to act quickly and cancel them. You should immediately change important passwords, like email or online banking passwords, that may have been compromised and could be used to access your personal information. This can help you protect your identity and financial security.
Once you have a police report, contact your home and contents insurance provider to report the burglary. They’ll ask you for details about what happened, a copy of the police report, and proof of ownership for any valuables that were stolen.
Your insurance provider will guide you through the claims process and explain what is and isn’t covered by your policy, as well as the next steps.
You may find it helpful to review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for your policy to learn more about what’s covered. You can also find out whether there are value limits for certain items.
After a burglary, it’s important to take measures to secure your property and prevent further break-ins. You should immediately arrange repairs to any doors or windows that were damaged during the burglary, and plan further security measures. You could consider installing a security system, upgrading your locks, adding additional lighting, such as sensor lights, and using a safe to store your valuables.
If your keys were stolen, you’ll need to get your locks changed promptly. This is an essential step to prevent any further unauthorised access to your home. Check your insurance policy to see if key replacement is covered.
Having your home broken into can be a traumatic experience and it may help to talk to someone about how you’re feeling to process what’s happened.
You could talk to a trusted friend or family member, or a trained mental health professional, such as a counsellor or therapist. They can help you process the emotions and stress that can follow a burglary.
For theft and burglary cover, you can consider Allianz Home Building and Contents Insurance for your home or our Landlord Insurance for your investment property.
Learn more about our Home Insurance options today and find the right policy for you.
This article has been prepared by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL234708 (“Allianz”). In some cases, information has been provided to us by third parties and while that information is believed to be accurate and reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed in any way.
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