Lockout Tips

What To Do If You Have Been Robbed

by: 24Hr Lockouts
in safety tips, Security Tips

You come home to discover that you’ve been robbed. The feelings of violation and anger are still raw. After the initial shock wears off, you need to stay calm and focused. Take a deep breath and realize that you’re not entirely helpless. Here are some essential, empowering ways to deal with it.

Safety First

Walking in your home and realizing you were robbed is traumatic, however, you need to realize that the burglar may still be in your home, and you don’t want to confront a criminal. Although this is a rare occurrence, you need to be cautious. The absolute first thing you should do is step outside your house and find a safe place to call the police. Go lock yourself in your car or head over to a trusted neighbor.

Call the Police

As you’re leaving your home, call the police and ask to file a report. Listen carefully to the instructions they will give you and try to remain calm. Police have a standard procedure that they follow when they’re called to the scene of a home robbery. Here is what they will generally do:

Approach the house quietly
Create a safe perimeter
Search the property for signs of forced entry
Contact the property owner if possible

If the property owner is the one who has called the police they will knock on the door and ask you to identify yourself, so they know that they are speaking with the person who lives there, not the burglar themselves.

Check for Your Pets

During a burglary the robber may let your pet out the door, look for your pet and make sure that they’re secure. One trick burglars use — giving your pet food to keep them quiet and busy during their stay. Check your pet for injuries and look for poisoning.

Help Your Insurance Company By Preparing

To help with your insurance claim, first, make a list of losses and any damages to your property. Go from room to room and make notes of missing items along with anything that was broken or vandalized.
Let your insurance company know right away that you’ve been robbed. The sooner they can open a case on your claim, the sooner life will get back to normal. Most likely they will send out an adjuster to investigate the matter. The more prepared you are, the easier the process will go. It will also proceed in a faster manner. Gather these items for your homeowner’s insurance company:

Your list of stolen and damaged goods with an estimated value for each item
The police report
Photos that were taken after the incident that show the damage that occurred
Receipts or other documentation that can verify ownership, an age of product, or condition
Medical reports from hospitals, doctors or vets if anyone was injured during the incident