Will Homeowners Insurance Cover Me If My House Was Robbed?

Our homes are our sanctuaries, but unfortunately, break-ins do happen. A home invasion can leave you in shock, but it is important to take the proper steps to address both the situation at hand as well as preventive measures to make sure it doesn’t happen again. 

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Theft?

In short: typically yes. Thanks to the standard combination of dwelling coverage and personal property coverage, your homeowners insurance policy should cover the stolen property as well as any damages incurred as a result of the break-in, like broken windows and busted doors. If any detached structures like sheds and carports were damaged, your policy’s other structures coverage may kick in.

The amount of burglary insurance coverage available to you will depend on the type of homeowners insurance coverage, endorsements and policy limits you have. For dwellings and other structures, coverage is fairly straightforward — you’re responsible for the deductible, the insurance company pays for covered amounts of loss above the deductible. Personal property limits can vary, though, as some items have sub-limits, meaning they’ll only be covered up to a certain amount. If you have items that you think could exceed those limits if stolen, be sure to talk to your agent about scheduling them for specific amounts. 

What to Do If Someone Broke Into Your House

Here’s what to do in the wake of a home robbery — and how to ensure your belongings are protected in the future.

1. Leave the House

If you arrive home to find your house broken into, don’t go into the house. If you can see signs of a break-in from the street or driveway, avoid the temptation to get a closer look. Since you don’t know if a perpetrator is still inside, find a safe place to wait, like a neighbor’s house, until authorities arrive to take your report. If you experience a break-in while you are home, seek safety for yourself and your family — focus on getting out of the house as quickly as possible. Even in the case of an attempted break-in, you should still call 911. Once they arrive, the authorities will gather information to help catch the potential intruder.

2. Call the Police

Even if you have a monitored security system, it’s a good idea to call 911 yourself if the authorities haven’t been notified and ensure that the police are on their way. Your home is now an active crime scene, so it is important to stay out of the home until the police arrive. When they do arrive, provide them with as much information as you can. If you have security camera footage available, review it and give it to the authorities. Try to make a list of missing items and their value, as well as any descriptive details that could help the police identify the missing items.

3. Locate Your Pets 

If a perpetrator has broken a window or left a door or gate open, your furry friends may have dashed out to hide. Make sure your pets are secure and find them a safe place to wait while police investigate. Be mindful of broken glass and other hazards that could be of harm to them.

4. Call Your Insurance Company 

If someone robs your house, it’s important to let your insurance agent know about the break-in as soon as possible so the agent can advise you about documenting damage, tallying missing items and filing a claim. They may need to send a claims adjuster to your house to evaluate the damage before any repairs can be made. They may also require your police report and other documentation such as receipts, so be sure to make copies of the originals and keep a set for yourself.

5. Document Everything

Take a minute to photograph each room after the robbery. Also, try to jot down what you can remember about timeframes and note what’s missing or broken and anything else you can remember regarding the incident. Do this as soon as possible because your memory may cloud as time passes. If any personal belongings were stolen, you will want to provide your homeowners insurance company with the following information if possible:

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

To verify the value, your insurance company might also ask for:

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

6. Call Your Bank

Were your credit or debit cards stolen, or have the robbers gotten access to your personal information? If you discover that your identity has been compromised, call your financial institutions to cancel or temporarily freeze accounts.

7. Secure Your Home 

Wait for the OK from both the police and your insurance agent before cleaning up or fixing broken entryways. This is also a good time to review what security measures you have in place and whether you need to make changes. If you suspect the robbers have stolen spare keys, change your locks right away.

8. Inform Your Neighbors 

Often thieves will target one neighborhood for a period of time. Alert the people on your block or in your apartment complex so they know to take extra precautions to protect their homes from a robbery. They may also have seen something suspicious that could help police with the investigation. Posting on neighborhood social media page can help cast a wider net.

9. Talk to Someone 

Experiencing anxiety after your house has been robbed is a normal reaction. You might feel a sense of violation you just can’t shake. Talk to a professional or join a group with other people who’ve gone through a similar situation.

10. Review Your Coverage

Your Farm Bureau agent is always available to help. If you’re worried about theft or want to make sure your belongings are adequately covered, talk to your agent to review your options.