Report the incident to the police
Once you become aware of the fact that your home has been robbed, immediately leave the premises and call the police. The reason being that the burglar could still be inside your home and you never know how would he react when you confront him. In order to file a complaint with the police, it’s you who either have to go to the police or wait for them to come. Notifying the law enforcement system is really necessary as without a police report you won’t be able to file a theft claim with your insurer.Report the theft with your insurance company
The next step is to get in touch with either your insurance agent or the insurance company. Inform them about the break-in and the loss realized. The insurance company may either assign a claims adjuster to assess your case, or handle the entire claim by phone, mail, and via email. As a standard procedure, you will be asked to provide a detailed list of the inventory - names, values and pictures (desirable) of what was taken. Figuring out the stolen items, present condition of those items, calculating total costs are some of the headaches that you face in the wake of a burglary. However, there is a simpler alternative. Keep a precise home inventory stored in a place other than your home or online. There is a free online home inventory app that the Insurance Information Institute (III) offers so that you can build an online inventory of your household contents and also add descriptions, dates of purchase, prices, and photos.What to expect from the insurance company
Time seems to get stuck in the wake of a burglary. Especially, when you are constantly reminded of the loss. If you have the police report and exact home inventory, you can get your claim processed within a week or two and receive the coverage against the damage made. However, in spite of the monetary recuperation, for many it takes years to recover emotionally. Many insurance providers offer prepaid debit cards so that you can quickly fix or restore the doors and windows in order to prevent any further break-in. However, if nothing such is offered to you, ask for one. After the claim, your relationship with the insurer is bound to change. The fact of the matter is your insurer is there to make profit, and by filing claims you’re simply trimming down that. Once you file the claim, the insurer will look more closely at your situation and make adjustments to your policy - or cancel straightaway. If this is your first theft claim, then chances are rare that they will cancel your policy. However, if this is your second or third claim or if the insurer has experienced a number of such claims from your neighborhood, then the insurer may consider it as a risky area and raise the premiums. Another possibility is that your insurer may raise your deductible in order to mitigate their future losses from your claims. Conflicts and disagreements occur in any relationship. Hence, it’s always suggested that you read and understand the terms and conditions of your insurance policy carefully before you opt for any.Clean up and make some necessary changes
Cleaning the crime scene up after there has been a break into in your house is emotionally taxing. Try to get your attachments off the furniture, appliances and other goods that you can use no longer and try to restore your home. When you put the ransacked rooms back together, consider painting the walls if you can. These small and yet, necessary changes can help you overcome the pain, grief, and emotional stress that the burglary has put on you.Ponder over your home’s security and emotional well-being
Change all the locks in your home. This will help you find the lost sense of security that you had lost soon after you became a victim of burglary. Install shatterproof screen doors, and burglar alarms to beef up security. These are security measures toward not being burglarized again. You can also talk to a home security expert to install a centralized security system in your home. You could earn a discount of 10% or more on your home insurance premiums for having a security system. If you already have a security system installed in your home, check for possible loopholes and consider upgrading. If you have a video camera for surveillance purposes, check for footages of the burglary and hand over any evidence you get to the police and insurance carrier. Also, consider taking self-defense classes even if you feel safe. Doing this will keep you physically prepared for any adversity. It will also help you overcome your fears that are by now deep-rooted inside you. Consider counseling or other therapies if you’re unable to overcome your fears.Blog Category