When you get home and find that your house was broken into, either from your door being open or having a broken window, it can be a scary concept. Not only was your home vandalized, but an intruder was in your house, going through your things, and might still be in there. Of course, the very first thing you should do is make sure they are no longer in your home before you enter. After that, here are some other important steps to take.

Check For Stolen or Damaged Items

Before you file a police report or call your insurance company, you need to know exactly what was damaged and/or stolen from your home. Both the police and your insurance company will want this information, so start looking around on your own first. Look to see how they gained access into your home and note any damage, like a broken window. Check around the home for signs of them vandalizing other property or possibly items that might be missing. Check every room, drawer, and closet of your home, writing down what you notice is missing, and try to write down the approximate value as well.

File a Police Report

For a break-in, you need to report what was missing and let local police know about the intrusion, as they may need to look out for this person vandalizing other homes as well. When you file the police report, provide them with the list of items you found were damaged or stolen, giving as many details as you possibly can. They will often make notes of the scene of the break-in, but you should also have your own notes and take pictures as well.

Call Your Insurance Company

The home insurance company also needs to be notified, as some of the damage might be covered, depending on the details of your policy. If you previously had items appraised that are now stolen, you may also have some coverage for those items as well. Your insurance company will inform you if there is coverage and what needs to be done in order to be reimbursed for the theft.

Get Repairs Done

This is typically not done until after an insurance adjuster has been out to your home to assess the damage. If a window was broken, you need to get it fixed right away. It is now vulnerable to other break-ins. There are many glass repair companies over fast service, and may even recommend a stronger window that would be more difficult for someone to break in the future.

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