Burglaries are more common in the United States than most property owners think. Did you know that two burglaries happen every minute? The steps you take after experiencing a burglary can either preserve your property or cause further damage. However, you may be confused and distraught after a burglary because of the personal and emotional violation you may feel. This affects your ability to be proactive or to spring into action. Therefore, we have put together a step-by-step guide for what to do after you experience a burglary.
Step 1 – Call the Police
You should call the police for some help immediately if you can. It is best to wait for the police to arrive before you re enter your home. While you wait, avoid touching anything so you don’t compromise evidence.
Burglars sometimes stick around the area; therefore, the police may catch the perpetrators if you call them early. This also increases the chances of the officers recovering your stolen property. The officers will do a thorough sweep of the premises, ensuring that there are other threats to your safety. A different team may visit your home to collect forensic evidence such as footprints and fingerprints.
Step 2 – Contact an Emergency Board Up Company
Emergency board up services can preserve the value of your home and keep potential burglars out. If you don’t secure compromised access points, they may attract other vandals and thieves. Therefore, you should contact a reputable board up company to close off any broken windows or doors.
Boarding up your burgled property also counts as mitigation of damage. Insurance companies require policyholders to mitigate any property damage before they receive their settlement. If the insurer discovers that the policyholder folded their hands and watched their property deteriorate, they may reduce the settlement payout.
When the board up company arrives, they will assess the damage quickly. After assessment, they will determine the best materials to use for the job. They may use either quality pieces of wood or steel, depending on the damage and your budget. Furthermore, the company will secure the wood or steel with bolts and screws. They will ensure that there are no gaps for unauthorized people to exploit. Your home will remain safe and secure until permanent repairs can take place.
Step 3 – Inform Your Insurance Company
It is key to report all forms of property damage you want to claim under your policy. Your insurer will provide important information about the claims process. They will also explain any documentation they will require to process your claim. The documentation may include photos or videos of the damage, a police report, and an inventory of missing items.
If the police cannot guarantee the safety of your home, ask your insurer if your policy covers a temporary living situation. Many policies have loss of use coverage which you can take advantage of.
Step 4 – Create a List of Stolen Items
Take some time to assess your home for stolen items. If you were away when the burglary occurred, the burglar may have accessed multiple rooms. Therefore, you should not only focus on obvious places like the living room. Check your bedrooms, bathrooms, adjoining structures like sheds, and places where you hide valuables. Look out for missing personal documents or mail as burglars can use the information on them to steal your identity.
You should submit a copy of this list to both the police and the insurance company. It gives the authorities clarity on what items to be on the lookout for. The list also helps your insurer calculate your settlement.
Step 5 – Clean Up
Burglaries are often messy with shards of glass and sharp pieces of wood scattered about. It may be tempting to clean up immediately. However, you should wait until the police have collected any evidence the burglar left behind. Additionally, take pictures and videos of the damage for your insurance claim before cleaning up.
Step 6 – Carry Out Permanent Repairs
You may contact a locksmith or restoration company to carry out permanent repairs. Your choice should depend on what part of your property suffered damage. They will replace broken windows, doors, or blinds.
The professionals can also conduct an audit of your home’s security. For example, there may be alternative ways to access your property that you are unaware of. An extensive security audit will uncover lapses and issues with your home. The professional can then fix these issues to strengthen your home’s security and grant you peace of mind.
Step 7 – Upgrade Your Home’s Security System
Having a comprehensive security system in place can help you avoid burglaries and other forms of property damage. Consider adding motion-activated lights to the perimeter of your home. Additionally, install an alarm system that can quickly alert you when an unauthorized person is attempting to enter your home. If your property is vacant, you may need extra security and protection measures.
Step 8 – Seek Emotional Support
You may have gotten out of the burglary without physical injuries but it may take months for you to feel safe in your home again. Consider reaching out to your friends and family for some emotional support during this time. They can offer comforting words and gestures. You may also reach out to a counselor or other mental health professionals. They are well-equipped to handle these kinds of traumas and can help you move on.
Conclusion
A burglary is an emotionally traumatizing event that can disrupt your daily activities. While shock might take over your mind, it is important to stay present and immediately take action. Start by calling the police to ensure your safety.
Afterward, reach out to a board up company that offers emergency services as they can quickly board up broken windows and doors. This guarantees your safety and prevents your home from suffering additional damage. Don’t forget to inform your insurer about the property damage in order to receive financial reimbursement for repairs.
On-Call Board Up offers quality emergency board up services to protect you and your home. Our services are not limited to residential properties but also extend to commercial structures. Give us a call today to get started.
