Someone Broke Into My House — Filing a Vandalism or Theft Claim

Someone broke into your home. They stole your things. They may have trashed what they did not take. You feel violated. You are angry. And now you have to deal with insurance. This guide walks you through the claim process for theft and vandalism — what to do first, what your policy covers, what sublimits apply, how to document losses, and what to expect from the insurer’s investigation.

Step 1: Call the Police

File a police report immediately. This is not optional. Your insurance policy requires a police report for theft claims. Without one, the insurer will likely deny your claim. Call the non-emergency line (or 911 if the intruder may still be present) and file a report. Get the report number and the name of the responding officer.

When the officer arrives, walk through the home and identify everything that appears stolen or damaged. You do not need a complete list at this point — you can supplement the police report later as you discover additional missing items. But get the initial report filed the same day you discover the break-in.

Step 2: Document the Scene

Before cleaning up or repairing the point of entry, document everything:

• Photograph the forced entry point (broken window, kicked-in door, pried lock)
• Photograph ransacked rooms showing drawers pulled out, items strewn about
• Photograph any vandalism damage (graffiti, broken fixtures, holes in walls)
• Photograph empty spaces where stolen items were kept (empty jewelry box, bare shelf where TV stood)
• Video a walkthrough of the entire home showing the condition the burglar left it in

Step 3: Secure the Property

If the break-in compromised your home’s security — a smashed window, a broken door — make temporary repairs immediately. Board up the window. Replace the door lock. This is your duty to mitigate further loss. Keep receipts for these emergency repairs; they are part of your claim.

Step 4: File the Insurance Claim

Call your insurer and report the loss. Provide the police report number. They will assign an adjuster. For theft claims, the adjuster will typically ask for:

• A copy of the police report
• A detailed inventory of stolen items with descriptions, values, and documentation
• An estimate for vandalism damage repairs
• Photos of the scene
• Receipts, appraisals, or other proof of ownership for high-value items

Documenting Stolen Items

This is where theft claims get difficult. You must prove two things for each item: (1) you owned it, and (2) it is gone. For expensive items, the insurer will want documentation. Here is how to build your proof:

• Purchase receipts. Amazon order history, credit card statements, bank records showing purchases.
• Photos. Old photos of your home showing items in the background. Holiday photos showing jewelry being worn. Social media posts showing electronics.
• Serial numbers. If you have serial numbers recorded for electronics, tools, or firearms, provide them. This also helps police recovery.
• Appraisals. For jewelry, art, antiques, or collectibles, prior appraisals are powerful evidence of value.
• Warranty registrations. If you registered products with the manufacturer, that proves ownership.
• Testimony. Your own sworn statement that you owned items is evidence. The insurer cannot demand receipts for every single item — most people do not keep receipts for everyday possessions.

Sublimits: The Hidden Caps on Your Coverage

Your declarations page shows your total Coverage C (personal property) limit — but that is not the whole story. Buried in your policy are sublimits — lower caps on specific categories of property. Common sublimits include:

• Cash and currency: typically $200
• Securities, accounts, deeds: typically $1,500
• Jewelry, watches, furs: typically $1,500 total for theft
• Firearms: typically $2,500
• Silverware and goldware: typically $2,500
• Business property: typically $2,500
• Electronics (some policies): varies

These sublimits are devastatingly low. If a thief stole $30,000 in jewelry, your standard policy may only pay $1,500 unless you purchased a scheduled personal property endorsement(also called a “rider” or “floater”). Scheduled items are listed individually on the policy with appraised values and receive full coverage up to that stated amount. See our guide on contents claims for more on how sublimits work.

Scheduled vs. Unscheduled Property

Unscheduled property is everything covered under your standard Coverage C. It is subject to sublimits and pays on either an Actual Cash Value (ACV) or Replacement Cost Value (RCV) basis depending on your policy. Most theft losses fall here.

Scheduled property is individually listed on your policy with a specific insured value. It typically has no deductible, covers broader perils (including mysterious disappearance — discussed below), and pays the full scheduled value. If you own jewelry, fine art, collectibles, musical instruments, or firearms worth more than the sublimit, you should have had them scheduled. If they were not scheduled, you are stuck with the sublimit.

Mysterious Disappearance

Standard Coverage C does notcover “mysterious disappearance” — items that vanished without evidence of a specific theft event. If you simply cannot find your watch and have no evidence it was stolen (no break-in, no witnesses), the standard policy will not pay. You must prove a theft actually occurred.

Scheduled personal property endorsements typically do cover mysterious disappearance. This is one of the key advantages of scheduling high-value items.

ACV vs. Replacement Cost on Stolen Items

If you have a replacement cost policy (most modern policies), here is how payment works for stolen items. See ACV vs. RCV for full details:

1. Initial payment: The insurer pays Actual Cash Value (replacement cost minus depreciation) for each item.
2. Replacement cost holdback: When you actually replace the item (purchase a comparable replacement), you submit the receipt and the insurer pays the difference between ACV and the actual replacement cost.
3. Deadline: Most policies give you 180 days to two years to replace items and claim the holdback. Check your policy for the specific deadline.

The SIU Referral: When the Insurer Suspects Fraud

Theft claims have a higher rate of referral to the insurer’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) than most other claim types. This does not mean you did anything wrong. Insurers flag theft claims for investigation based on factors like:

• High-value losses relative to coverage
• Recent policy changes (increased limits shortly before the theft)
• No signs of forced entry
• Financial stress (the insurer may check credit reports)
• Prior claims history
• Inconsistencies in statements

Vandalism Without Theft

If your home was vandalized but nothing was stolen — broken windows, graffiti, smashed fixtures, holes punched in walls — this is still a covered loss under a standard HO-3 policy. Vandalism and malicious mischief are named perils. The repair costs are covered just like any other property damage claim.

One exception: if the dwelling has been vacant for more than 60 consecutive days, most policies exclude vandalism coverage. “Vacant” means devoid of contents and not being used for its intended purpose. A furnished home where you are temporarily away is not vacant.

Tips for a Successful Theft or Vandalism Claim

1. File the police report the same day. Delays between discovery and reporting raise red flags.
2. Be specific but honest.Describe items accurately. Do not inflate values. Do not claim items you did not actually own. Exaggeration — even on one item — can be used to void your entire claim under the policy’s concealment or fraud provision.
3. Provide documentation for high-value items. Receipts, photos, appraisals. The more documentation, the smoother the process.
4. Keep a copy of everything you submit. Every document, every list, every photo you send to the insurer — keep your own copy.
5. Read your policy for sublimits. Know the caps before you submit your list so you understand what to expect.
6. Do not guess at serial numbers. If you do not know a serial number, say so. Making one up — even innocently — can look like fabrication.
7. Replace items promptly if you want full replacement cost. The holdback has a deadline. Do not let it expire.

When to Get Help

Most straightforward theft claims — documented items, clear evidence of break-in, values within policy limits — resolve without major battles. But if the insurer refers you to SIU, requests an EUO, denies based on “no evidence of forced entry,” or dramatically underpays your contents, you need professional help. A public adjuster can help prepare and negotiate the claim. An attorney is essential if fraud allegations are raised or if the insurer demands an EUO. Do not face SIU alone. For more on the first 72 hours after a loss, see our detailed guide.