subject: What To Do After A Burglary & How Loss Assessors Can Help [print this page] Burglaries from households in England and Wales increased by 14% during the year 2010-11 according to the British Crime Survey. This rise will be worrying for homeowners, as being the victim of burglary can be extremely distressing and expensive.
If your home is burgled its worth following these 10 simple steps. Theyll help you deal with a burglary and make a successful insurance claim:
1.If you find that youve been burgled, always call the police immediately.
2.Call the police from a mobile or from a neighbour's home if you think the burglars may still be inside your property.
3.Dont try to clear up until after the police have been and finished their investigations. They are likely to send specialist officers who will take photographs and look for fingerprints, so its important to preserve as much evidence as possible. They will also give you a crime number, which youll need when making your insurance claim.
4.Check your home thoroughly for missing and damaged items. Draw up a list of everything and try to include makes, models and serial numbers if you can. Its also useful to include any purchase receipts if you have them.
5.Burglars often look for bank and credit cards. If yours have been stolen make sure you call your banks emergency numbers and have them cancelled. These services are usually available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year so theres no need to wait until office hours.
6.Check whether any other important documents are missing, like your passport or driving license. If they are then youll need to contact the relevant authorities.
7.Get in touch with your insurers and tell them about your burglary. Remember to have your crime number to hand when you call.
8.If the police have finished their enquiries, your insurance company may arrange to board up any broken windows or replace damaged locks. If your policy does not include this emergency cover, you will have to arrange this on you own.
9.Contact professional insurance Loss Assessors. If necessary, they can offer assistance by providing approved contractors and locksmiths to secure your property. Theyll also help you make a comprehensive list of all your stolen & damaged possessions. They will then represent you throughout your insurance claim, helping to ensure that you get a full and satisfactory settlement from your insurers.
10.Lastly, review you security arrangements. If you havent already, consider fitting locks to your windows and security bolts to your doors. You could also think about installing a burglar alarm.
