Immediate Steps (First 30 Minutes)
Don't go inside if you're returning to find it happened
If you come home to signs of a break-in (broken window, open door, damaged lock), stop. Don't go in. The intruder may still be inside. Back away to a safe distance and call 911. This is the most important rule — your stuff is replaceable, you're not.
If you discovered the break-in while inside, get out now
If you're already inside and realize a break-in occurred, leave immediately through the safest exit. Don't stop to collect valuables. Get to a neighbor's home or your car (with doors locked) and call 911 from there.
Call 911 — even if nothing appears to be missing
Always call police. You need an official report for your insurance claim and you need police to clear the property. When officers arrive, ask for the incident/case number — you'll need it for insurance and for any follow-up.
Touch nothing until police have processed the scene
Don't clean up, straighten up, or move anything before officers arrive. Fingerprints and trace evidence can be lifted from surfaces. If police don't send forensics, ask whether you should have the scene processed before cleaning.
Photograph and video everything before you touch anything
Once police clear you to enter, walk through every room with your phone camera running before you move or clean a single thing. Capture: broken entry points, ransacked drawers, empty spaces where items were, the full scope of the scene. These photos are your evidence for insurance.
Next Steps (Same Day)
Ask neighbors about camera footage — within hours
Most residential cameras overwrite footage within 24–72 hours. Walk your block immediately and ask every neighbor with a visible camera (Ring, Arlo, doorbell) if they captured anything. Police often won't do this themselves. You have one short window before footage is gone forever.
Make a detailed list of everything missing
Go room by room. Check drawers, closets, the garage. Include brand, model, approximate value, and serial number if you know it. Check for things that might not be obvious: medication, gift cards, car keys, spare keys, financial documents. The more detail, the better your insurance claim.
Call your insurance company
Report the claim promptly — most policies have a requirement to report within a reasonable time. Give them your police report case number. They'll assign a claims adjuster. Ask specifically: what's your deductible, what's covered (electronics, jewelry, cash?), and whether they need original receipts or if your photos are sufficient.
If financial documents or cards were accessible, act now
If the intruder had access to any financial paperwork, Social Security cards, credit cards, or account information — call your bank and credit card companies immediately. Consider placing a credit freeze at all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) — it's free and prevents new accounts being opened in your name.
Change or rekey every lock tonight
If keys were taken (or you're not sure), change your locks before you sleep there. A locksmith can rekey existing locks for $20–40 per lock — much cheaper than replacement. If they got in through a broken door or window, secure it temporarily with plywood tonight and call for repairs in the morning.
Understand How They Got In — Then Fix It
The single most important prevention step: figure out exactly how entry was made and address that specific vulnerability before anything else. Common entry points:
Front/back door
- Most door kicks succeed because the frame splinters, not the lock. Install a door frame reinforcement kit ($30–60) — replaces the short screws in your strike plate with 3-inch screws into the stud.
- Upgrade to a Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt if yours was a cheap model.
- Add a security bar for sliding doors or doors that failed.
Window or garage
- Window break-ins: add secondary window locks or pins drilled through the sash.
- Garage door: the emergency release can be triggered from outside with a coat hanger through the top gap. Add a zip tie through the release lever.
- Broken glass: security film won't stop entry but slows it significantly.
Protect your home going forward
SimpliSafe's sensors alert you the moment a door or window opens — and summon police automatically on any plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I clean up before the insurance adjuster visits?
Ask your insurance company first. Many want their adjuster to see the scene before cleanup. If you need to sleep there and must secure a broken window or door, photograph everything thoroughly first, then note in your claim what you secured for safety reasons.
The police said they probably won't be able to recover my things. Is that true?
Unfortunately, yes in most cases — especially for commonly fenced items like electronics. However, report the serial numbers of stolen electronics to police and register them on stolenregistry.com. Pawn shops are required to check stolen property databases in most states.
Do I need to move if I don't feel safe?
You don't need to, but you're allowed to feel unsafe in your own home. If you have somewhere to stay for a few nights while you install better security and process what happened, take that option. Replacing locks and installing a monitored alarm system usually restores most people's sense of safety within a week.
What if my landlord refuses to fix the broken entry point?
In most states, landlords are legally required to provide habitable premises — which includes secure doors and windows. Send a written request (email works for documentation). If they don't respond within a reasonable time, contact your local housing authority or tenant rights organization.