How To Make Break-In And Theft Claims On Home Insurance (2024)

It might come as a surprise that many burglaries take place in the daytime, according to the FBI’s 2019 uniform crime report.

About half of all burglaries take place during the day, and about 34% take place at night. The other 16% are unknown. And thieves usually make out with a decent score. The average dollar value of stolen property from burglaries was $2,661.

Burglary, as defined by FBI, is an unlawful entry of a structure with the intent to commit a felony or theft. And while the FBI’s 2019 uniform crime report shows a 9.5% decrease in burglaries compared to 2018, and a 48.5% decrease compared to 2010, that doesn’t make the crime any less terrifying to those affected.

In addition to feeling violated, victims often report feeling angry, fearful and anxious, a sense of guilt, a lack of trust in others, and helplessness or loss of control.

In the aftermath of a burglary, you might find yourself not only emotionally traumatized by the event, but also dealing with things like making repairs, changing your locks, identifying missing items and filing a home insurance claim.

Does Home Insurance Cover Theft and Break-Ins?

Theft is a problem covered by homeowners insurance. Home insurance will cover stolen personal property, and also pay for problems related to a theft, like the cost to repair or replace items that were damaged in a break-in. For example, if a forced entry damages your door and door jamb, your homeowners insurance can pay for repairs and new locks.

Here are some home insurance coverage types that might apply if you’re the victim of a break-in and theft:

• Dwelling coverage. This pays for repairs to your house if it is damaged in a break-in. For example, it can pay for broken windows and damaged doors.
• Personal property coverage. This pays to repair or replace your personal belongings if they are damaged or stolen. For example, if a thief knocks over an expensive lamp or steals your laptop.
• Other structures coverage. This pays for repairs to detached structures on your property. For example, if your shed door is damaged in a break-in.

How Much Coverage Do I Have For Break-Ins and Theft?

The amount of coverage you have will depend on your policy limits and the type of coverage. The coverage for your dwelling and other structures is pretty straightforward. For example, if you have a $250,000 limit on your dwelling coverage and your door was damaged in a break-in, repairs to your door would fall under your dwelling coverage, minus your deductible.

Generally, the coverage limit for personal property is set at 50% to 70% of the dwelling coverage amount. For example, if you have $250,000 in dwelling coverage and bought a policy that sets personal property coverage at 70%, your belongings would be covered up to $175,000.

But here’s where personal property coverage gets a bit tricky. Certain types of items have what are called “sub-limits,” meaning you’ll only be covered up to a certain amount, not your full personal property policy limit. For example, your policy might have a $1,500 sub-limit for stolen jewelry. That means you’ll only be covered up to that amount, even if the value of your stolen jewelry exceeds $1,500.

If you need more coverage for valuable items such as jewelry, artwork or musical instruments, you can “schedule” them. For example, if you have a diamond ring valued at $5,000, you can schedule it for that amount and would receive $5,000 if your ring was stolen. You may be able to schedule items with no deductible, depending on your insurer. Another option you may want to think about is Jewelry Insurance.

Another thing to consider for your personal property coverage: Replacement cost versus actual cash value. When you purchase your home insurance policy, you’ll have the choice between the two. Replacement cost is more expensive, but it replaces a stolen item with a brand-new version. Actual cash value coverage pays you only the depreciated value of your belongings—which could leave you paying big bucks yourself if you want to replace them with new items.

How Do I File an Insurance Claim For Break-Ins and Theft?

If you are the victim of a break-in and theft, here are the first steps you should take:

• Report the crime to the police. You will likely need to provide the police report to your insurance company in order to make a claim.
• Have emergency repairs done. If your door was busted open or a window was broken, have it repaired as soon as possible. Make sure you save your receipts for reimbursem*nt by your insurance company.
• Take photos or videos of damage. Document areas of your home that were damaged or where missing items were stolen.
• File a claim with your insurance company. The insurance adjuster will review your policy, including applicable coverage types, sub-limits, scheduled items and deductibles.

If any personal belongings were stolen, it’s a good idea to provide your home insurance company with the following information when possible:

• Where and when your item was purchased
• The estimated value your item
• The brand and model of your item

To verify the value of your stolen items, your insurance company might ask for:

• Bank statements
• Credit card statements
• Photographs
• Receipts
• Serial numbers
• Warranties

One of the best ways to make a home insurance claim go as quick and smoothly as possible is by creating a home inventory. A good home inventory will help you keep track of your belongings and maximize your claim payment.

Home Security Devices Can Help Save You Money

If you take steps to safeguard your home against theft, you might be able to get a discount on your home insurance. This can include:

• Installing deadbolts on exterior doors
• Installing a burglar alarm that alerts local police
• Using smart or connected home technology with alerts for break-ins
• Installing security cameras, wireless motion sensors or doorbells with video cameras

Before you spend the money on a new home security system, it’s a good idea to first speak with your homeowners insurance agent to ask what type of systems qualify for a discount. You can also ask if you already qualify for certain discounts. For example, discounts may be available if you live in a gated community protected by security guards, key-lock devices or residence cards.

The cost of theft insurance claims has been in steady decline since 2014, according to the October 2020 Home Trends Report from LexisNexis, a data analytics company. LexisNexis says this could be due to deterrents like home security devices. Fifty-nine percent of survey respondents said they own smart security devices such as cameras and wireless motion sensors.

Break-In and Theft Resources

If you are the victim of a break-in, there may be resources available through the Office for Victims of Crime. For example, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Federal Victims of Crime Act for expenses not covered by home insurance, such as medical services, mental health counseling, lost wages and other costs.

Here is a state directory of victim compensation programs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)