
Today we will take a closer look at the steps to take in the event of a burglary 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 further burglaries.
According to a report by INESE, the largest community of insurance professionals in Spain, it is during the winter and on the Mediterranean coast that the most house burglaries occur.
Burglary in your home: A daily concern
Home burglaries are a constant concern throughout the year for many foreign homeowners in Spain. Although more than 92,000 home burglaries were recorded last summer in Spain, it is possible to prevent these situations. In addition, it is important to know what to do if your property is burgled in Spain.
As a foreign property owner, it is advisable to keep your property safe through additional security measures, and to be familiar with insurance policies and procedures in Spain. If you suffer a burglary, you should immediately contact the 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, a home insurance policy will cover 100% of the value of the stolen items, but in the case of theft the cover is usually less and the compensation received will be a lower amount.
However, this may vary depending on the type of burglary or theft suffered and the specific coverages of the insurance policy taken out. It is important to check the specifications of your insurance policy to find out the exact coverage and compensation you may receive.
If you want to know in more detail what are the most common covers that a home insurance policy should include and what damages you may be covered for, you can consult our article on home insurance in Spain in this blog.
Difference between burglary and theft
The difference between burglary and theft 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 wallet with a gun or forcing a door to enter a house.
On the other hand, theft refers to the appropriation of another’s property without the use of force, such as a pickpocket stealing a wallet without the victim being aware of it.
Contents and contents in home burglary
The decision to take out home insurance depends on the needs of each homeowner. There are two types of policies: building and contents. The building policy covers damage to the structure of the home during a burglary, while the contents policy covers both damage to the structure and objects stolen inside the home.
It is important to consider 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 cover. It is important to note that there are different types of insurance policies, some only cover damage to the home while others cover the contents of the home. To obtain 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 keep in mind that there are certain objects that may not be covered, such as jewellery, professional equipment or cash. Therefore, it is important to declare and value these specific items and ensure that they are included in the policy. It is important to keep the policy up to date and to notify any changes in the insured property.
Policy limitations in home burglary
It is important to bear in mind that home insurance policies have certain limitations regarding the coverage they offer. Some objects, such as those found on the outside of the property or those damaged due to the insured person’s negligence, will not be covered.
Therefore, it is important to analyse the coverage and limitations of the policy in detail before contracting it and to take the necessary precautions to prevent burglaries in the home.
What to do if your home is burgled?
Calling the police is the first thing you should do if your home has been burgled. If you find that the door is open or has been forced open or a window is broken, 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 may hinder the work of the police.
Once the police allow you access to the house, it is advisable to carefully examine all the rooms in the house and then make a list of everything you notice is missing. In as much detail as possible, you should make an inventory of all the objects that have been stolen from your home.
In addition, it is important to provide documents proving that you had these objects (such as receipts or invoices, for example) and their value. This is vital for the insurance company to pay you the corresponding compensation.
Within 72 hours of the theft, you must go to the police to file a formal complaint. In the report you should provide the name of the insurance company with which you took out your home insurance and request a copy of the report. This is essential, as the insurer will require a copy of the report in order to pay the corresponding compensation.
If you have a home insurance policy, you should 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 of what was stolen and what was damaged and all the documents that prove that you were in possession of these objects.
How can I protect myself from burglary at home?
Lock doors and windows: Before leaving home, make sure that all doors and windows are properly locked. It is advisable to have a reinforced door or at least two locking points on doors.
Don’t hide keys: Avoid hiding an extra set of keys in common places such as the letterbox or meter box. If you need to do so, find a safe and inconspicuous hiding place.
Don’t pull the blinds all the way down: Leaving the blinds up slightly gives the impression that people are in the house and deters burglars.
Don’t leave valuables at home: Avoid leaving money, jewellery or artwork on display in your home while you are away. If you must, keep these items in a safe place.
Don’t discuss your plans with strangers or on social media: Don’t share information about your holiday plans with strangers or on social media, as this can provide valuable information to criminals.
10 steps to take in the event of a burglary in my home
Call the police immediately: Immediately report the burglary to local authorities to initiate an investigation and record the incident.
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.
Take note of the stolen items: Make an inventory of the items that have been stolen and note their descriptions, makes and models, as well as their approximate value.
Take photos of the scene: If possible, take photos of the scene where the theft occurred, as well as of the damage caused.
Inform your insurance companies: If you have home or contents insurance, inform your insurance companies immediately so that they can initiate the reimbursement process.
Inform consular authorities: If you are an expatriate, inform your country’s consular authorities for support and assistance.
Change your locks: If you suspect that thieves may have obtained a copy of your keys, it is advisable to change your locks immediately.
Install security systems: Consider installing additional security systems, such as security cameras or alarms, to improve the protection of your home.
Inform your neighbours: Inform your neighbours about the burglary, especially if it is a gated community, so they can be alert and increase security in the area.
Reinforce 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.