What to Do If You've Been Burgled

First steps: If you come home to find you've been burgled, contact the police immediately, and remember these dos and don'ts.

Don't:
-Touch anything more than you have to or attempt to clear up any mess. You could destroy important evidence.

Do:
-Check your home for damage and make a note of what's missing.
-Report stolen credit cards or check books to your bank or building society.
-Report stolen passports or driver's licenses to the organizations that issue them.
-Contact your home insurance company. They may want to take your details immediately or wait for the police to make a report.
-Check with your home insurance company whether emergency locksmiths and repairs are covered under a home emergency section of your insurance policy.

What happens next?

Call the police:
When the police arrive they will take your details and help you make sure your home is secure.
The police will give you a crime reference number and an official police report. Your home insurance company will need to see it when you make a claim.

Secure your home:
If you call an emergency locksmith or glazier, keep the receipt. You may be able to claim for it on your home insurance. Check with your provider about what you need to do to make a claim, such as photographing damage and keeping receipts for replacement items.

Putting things right:
You need to work closely with your insurer to make sure your claim goes smoothly. If the police recover any of your lost property you must tell your home insurance company. They will take this into account when calculating your claim.

Preventative measures:
There are several things you can do to prevent a burglary and protect your property if you are burgled:

o Install a burglar alarm - this may also make your home insurance cheaper. It's worth noting that many providers will add endorsements onto your policy, for example, if you go out and don't put the alarm on and are broken into, you may have to pay a higher excess.

o Secure your doors and windows - and never leave keys in locks or on windowsills where they are in plain view.

o Note down serial numbers - most electronic goods have them. They make it easier to prove
ownership if the police find your property.

o Keep valuation certificates and receipts - it helps your insurer settle your claim if you have proof of ownership and value.

o Take photographs - for items without serial numbers, such as furniture and jewellery, a photograph is a good substitute. A photograph of a unique or rare item can help your insurance company repair or replace that item.