So you've had a break-in...
We're Here For You
We hope you are never the victim of a robbery. However, if it does happen, you need to know the steps to take in order to recover from the break-in both financially and emotionally. Here are Five things to do if you've experienced a break-in:
Call the Police and File a Report
If you’re in the home when someone is trying to break in, get somewhere safe and call 911 immediately.
If you arrive home and suspect someone is in your house, don't go in. Call 911 immediately and either get in your car to wait or find somewhere safe nearby. Don’t clean up until the police have arrived and let you know it's OK. Otherwise, you might disturb key evidence that the police may need to investigate the break-in.
Call Your Insurance Company
Contact your homeowner's or renter’s insurance company within 24 hours of the incident.
You may be asked to provide receipts or other proof of ownership for any expensive items that were stolen; like TVs, jewelry, or other goods.
Before a break-in, take a video or pictures of your belongings and keep an up-to-date record for your insurance company.
Begin Clean Up and Repairs
Call contractors to repair any damage done.
It can be helpful to have carpets cleaned or rooms painted, removing the sometimes-painful memories of a break-in.
Reach out for Help
A break-in can be an emotionally draining experience. Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends and family during this time. Don’t be surprised if it takes a while for you to feel comfortable again in your home.
Review the Security of Your Home
Now’s time to think about home security and how you can prevent another incident from occurring.
The best ways to improve the security of your home include: having a professionally installed security system, adding motion-sensing lights to the exterior of your home, use apps like NextDoor to connect with your neighborhood.
