Burglary in your home: 10 steps to take

Welcome to an article on our blog. Today we will delve into the steps to follow if a robbery occurs in your home. It is good to keep them in mind because they can be important both to receive compensation from the insurance company and to prevent new thefts.

According to a report by INESE, the largest community of professionals in the insurance sector in Spain, It is during Winter and on the Mediterranean coast where the most home robberies occur.

Burglary in your home: A daily worry

Home burglary is a constant concern throughout the year for many foreign owners who have homes in Spain. Although more than 92,000 home burglaries were recorded last summer in Spain, it is possible to prevent these situations. Furthermore, it is important to know what to do if your property in Spain is robbed.

As a foreign owner, it is advisable to keep your property safe with additional security measures, and be familiar with insurance policies and procedures in Spain. If you are robbed, you should immediately contact local authorities and your insurance company to report the incident and seek assistance.

Does home insurance cover theft?

A very common question is whether home insurance covers theft. Generally, home insurance will cover 100% of the value of the stolen items, but in the case of theft the coverage is usually less and the compensation received will be a smaller amount.

However, this may vary depending on the type of robbery or theft that has been suffered and the specific coverage of the insurance policy contracted. It is important to review the specifications of your insurance policy to know the exact coverage and compensation you may receive.

If you want to know in more detail What are the most common coverages that a home insurance policy should include and what damages can be covered?, you can consult our article on home insurance in Spain which is on this blog.

Difference between robbery and theft

The difference between robbery and robbery lies in the use of force or violence. Robbery implies that the thief uses force on things or violence or intimidation on people, such as stealing a purse with a weapon or forcing a door to enter a house.

On the other hand, theft refers to the appropriation of another's property without using force, such as a pickpocket who steals a purse without the victim realizing it.

Continent and content in home theft

The decision to take out home insurance depends on the needs of each owner. There are two types of policies: the continent one and the content one. The continent policy covers damage to the structure of the home during a burglary, while the contents policy covers both damage to the structure and items stolen from inside the home.

It is important to take into account the limitations of the policy and the objects included before making a decision. Without a doubt, the best option is to take out a contents policy as it provides greater protection and covers both damage to the home and stolen items.

To protect your property in Spain, it is important to have a home insurance policy that includes theft coverage. It is important to keep in mind that there are different types of insurance policies, some only cover damage to the home while others include the contents of the home. To get the best coverage, it is advisable to take out a contents policy that compensates for both property damage and stolen items.

However, it is important to note that there are certain items that may not be covered, such as jewelry, professional equipment, or cash. Therefore, it is important to declare and value those specific items and make sure they are included in the policy. It is important to keep the policy up to date and to notify any changes to the insured property.

Policy limitations

It is important to keep in mind that home insurance policies have certain limitations regarding the coverage they offer. Some objects, such as those found outside the home or those damaged due to the negligence of the insured, will not be covered.

Therefore, it is important to carefully analyze the coverage and limitations of the policy before purchasing it and take the necessary precautions to prevent theft at home.

What to do if a robbery occurs in your home?

Calling the police is the first thing you should do if your home has been robbed. If when you arrive home you discover that the door is open or has been forced or there is a broken window, do not enter the house and call the police immediately. It is important to avoid touching the scene or moving things before the investigation, as this could make the police's job more difficult.

Once the police allow you access to the home, it is advisable to carefully examine all the rooms in the house and then make a list of everything you are missing. In as much detail as possible, you will need to make an inventory of all the items that have been stolen from your home.

In addition, it is important to provide documents that prove that these objects were your property (such as tickets or invoices, for example) and their value. This is vitally important for the insurance company to pay you the corresponding compensation.

Within 72 hours after the theft has occurred, you must go to the police to file a formal report. In the complaint you must provide the name of the insurance company with which you contracted your home insurance and request a copy of the complaint. This is essential, since the insurer will require a copy of the complaint to pay the corresponding compensation.

If you have home insurance, you must call the insurance company and make the corresponding claim. It is important that you provide the insurance company with a copy of the formal complaint, the inventory with what was stolen and damaged, and all documents proving that you were in possession of said objects.

How do I protect myself from theft in my home?

1. Close doors and windows: Before leaving home, make sure all doors and windows are properly closed. It is advisable to have an armored door or at least two closing points on the doors.
2. Don't hide your keys: Avoid hiding an extra set of keys in common places like the mailbox or meter box. If you need to do this, find a safe, out of sight hiding place.
3. Don't lower the blinds completely: Leaving the blinds slightly raised gives the impression that there are people in the house and deters thieves.
4. Do not leave valuables at home: Avoid leaving money, jewelry or works of art visible in your home while you are away. If you must, store these items in a safe place.
5. Don't share your plans with strangers or on social media: Don't share information about your vacation plans with strangers or on social media, as this can provide valuable information to criminals.

10 steps to follow if your home is robbed

1. Call the police immediately: Immediately report the theft to local authorities to initiate an investigation and record the incident.
2. Don't touch anything: It is important not to move anything in the house before the police arrive, as there may be valuable evidence at the crime scene.
3. Take note of stolen items: Make an inventory of the items that have been stolen and write down their descriptions, makes and models, as well as their approximate value.
4. Take photos of the location: If possible, take photos of the location where the theft occurred, as well as the damage caused.
5. Inform your insurance companies: If you have home or contents insurance, inform your insurance companies immediately so they can begin the reimbursement process.
6. Inform the consular authorities: If you are an expatriate, inform the consular authorities of your country so that they can provide you with support and assistance.
7. Change your locks: If you suspect that thieves may have obtained a copy of your keys, it is advisable to change your locks immediately.
8. Install security systems: Consider installing additional security systems, such as security cameras or alarms, to improve the protection of your home.

9. Inform your neighbors: Inform your neighbors about the theft, especially if it is a gated community, so they can be alert and increase security in the area.
10. Strengthen your personal security: It is also important to reinforce your personal security, such as avoiding sharing personal information on social networks or not sharing your keys with strangers.