Patricia
Statistics show that there are 2.45 million home invasions every year in the US. A new burglary also takes place every 30 seconds, showing just how common they really are.
If you have experienced a home invasion, you need to take action. The first thing you need to be concerned about is leaving the situation if it is unsafe.
After this has happened, it is important to check on your home to see if it is okay. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process after a house robbery.
Keep reading to find out what you should do after a home invasion.
Take Inventory
If you are the victim of a home invasion, you have probably already contacted the police. They will show up and make sure the robber is not on the premises.
Once they have given you the all-clear, it is safe to enter your home. After a house break-in, you need to look around and take inventory of what you have left.
In most instances, robbers will only grab what they think is the most valuable. If you have any valuables, you should start by looking for them first.
You will want to let the police know if there is anything obviously missing. Most likely, you will have a better idea of this later since it isn’t always easy to tell what’s missing right away.
You may need to set aside a few hours to make a detailed inventory list. This should also include any damage to your home that the robber caused.
These are all details that the police will include in their police report. That is why it is important to take your time so that everything is accurate.
If you saw the burglar, this is also a good time to describe them to the police. Any kind of details you remember will be of use.
Document Evidence
When it comes to a home invasion, the police usually document what happened. This includes taking photos and creating a comprehensive list of damaged and stolen goods.
But it is a good idea to also document evidence for your own purpose. Your insurance may want evidence and it is simpler if you can provide it.
You can do this by looking for the point of entry and documenting it. This may have been a door or a window where there is damage that needs repairing.
All these different factors can help you when getting insurance coverage.
Call Your Insurance Company
After talking with the police and looking through your possessions, there is another step to take. You need to reach out to your insurance company to move forward.
Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance often covers certain burglaries. It may help you cover damage to the home or items that were stolen.
To do this, you need to file a claim and call your insurance company within 24 hours. You can provide them with evidence, and they will also contact the police about the invasion.
In some instances, a claims adjuster may need it to investigate your home in person. If this is the case, you will want to leave the home the way you found it.
This allows the claims adjuster to see exactly what happened and the damage that was caused.
Clean Up
After you have completed all of the steps, your home may be a mess. If you do not need to wait for a claims adjuster, you can clean up your home.
You may need to remove broken glass if the robber busted one of your windows. Or you may need to replace locks if they accessed your home by picking a door or window lock.
Cleaning up your home is also a good way of giving yourself some peace of mind. After all, a stranger has been in your home, which is an unsettling feeling.
Just make sure that all of the evidence has been documented before you do this.
Take Preventative Action
The next step after a home invasion is to prevent another one from happening. One of the best ways to protect your valuables is with a lock and safe.
You can buy a safe and put it in a good location in your home. This is the perfect place to store jewelry, heirlooms, cash, and precious metals.
There are different sizes available that are suitable for all kinds of items. This is the only way to guarantee that your valuables will be safe if another invasion occurs.
Knowell’s Lock and Safe provides some of the best safe options for renters and homeowners.
What Are the Most Commonly Stolen Items?
If you own anything of value, you may worry about someone breaking into your home. This is a very valid concern since burglaries are common everywhere.
Some of the most commonly stolen items include jewelry and watches. As well as any obvious valuables like wallets, cash, and high-value electronics.
Prescription drugs are also commonly stolen if they are in an accessible place. Overall, every home is going to have something that a robber would be interested in.
That is why it is so important to have preventative measures in place to protect your belongings.
Taking Action After a Home Invasion
If you have gone through a home invasion, there are certain things you need to do after the fact. This includes contacting the police and your insurance company.
Did you find this article on home invasions interesting? Keep reading for more lifestyle-related content.
