1. Inform the police (immediately)

After a burglary, calling the police is mandatory , not only because it sounds logical, but because without a case number, no insurance company will even answer the phone .

Important:
➡ Do not tidy up. Do not clean. Do not sort.
The crime scene must be documented.

Be sure to tell the police:

✔ Whether doors/windows were forced open
✔ What was obviously stolen
✔ Whether there was any damage to the building
✔ Whether there were any witnesses

You'll get a file number → that's invaluable for the insurance company.

2. Differentiating between insurance companies: Who pays for what?

Here's the technical stuff – but short and easy to understand:

🔸 Home contents insurance pays for:

• stolen items

• damaged furniture/furnishings

• Traces of the perpetrators (e.g., broken doors)

• Consequences include graffiti, destruction, chaos

🔸 Home insurance pays for:

• damaged windows

• damaged doors

• Door frame, lock, masonry

Key point:

"Everything that belongs to you → household goods.
Everything that is permanently installed → building."

If you are a tenant:

• Building = landlord's responsibility

• Household items = Your business

3. What else needs to happen on the same day?

Here's a to-do list that reduces stress:

✔ 1) Secure evidence

Photos & Videos of:

• Signs of a break-in

• damaged doors/windows

• broken locks

• Chaos in the apartment

✔ 2) Create a list of the stolen items

Important for insurance purposes:

• Name of the item

• Date of purchase (if possible)

• Value

• Condition

• Evidence (a photo is sufficient)

✔ 3) Report damage to the building

If you are a tenant → inform your landlord.

Warning:
Many landlords respond late – nevertheless, contact them immediately in writing.

4. Which items will be replaced?

Household insurance typically pays out the "replacement value," not the current value.
This means you get what it costs today , not what it originally cost.

Examples:

✔ Laptop? Yes
✔ Playstation/TV? Yes
✔ Jewelry? Yes
✔ Cash? Yes, but limited!

Cash rule:
Cash amounts are usually capped , e.g. €1,000–€2,500
→ see your insurance terms and conditions.

5. Special cases: Jewelry, watches, art, collections

Here are some potential pitfalls:

• Jewelry often needs to be kept in sealed containers.

• Safes require a minimum weight or fastening method.

• Art needs proof

• Collections need documentation

If the insurer tries to thwart your plans here → have it checked beforehand whether the rejection is justified.

6. Common mistakes that cost money

❌ Mistake 1: Tidying up before photo documentation

Then nobody can remember what it looked like.

❌ Mistake 2: Not collecting receipts

Many people forgo compensation because they don't have receipts.
Tip: Photos from the cloud, chat, or WhatsApp often also qualify.

❌ Mistake 3: Reporting damage too late

Home contents insurers have reporting obligations .
"Immediately" means directly or within a few days .

❌ Error 4: Only a police report, no insurance logic

Police report is not the same as insurance reporting.
Report both separately.

7. When does the insurance company not pay?

Common reasons for rejection:

❗ Not burglary, but "simple theft"
(e.g., balcony left open → different rules apply)

❗ Cash limit exceeded

❗ No proof of ownership

❗ Safe not properly secured (in case of jewelry/valuables)

❗ Crime scene altered → Evidence problem

It sounds harsh, but it's reality.

Many rejections are tactically worded and are worth examining .

8. Checklist: What you need to provide to the insurance company

Most home contents insurers want:

📄 Police report (case number)
📸 Photos of the break-in damage
📋 List of stolen items
💶 Receipts (invoice/photo/proof)
🔐 Proof of safe/container (for valuables)

If you no longer have any proof → don't give up.
There are alternatives:

➡ Bank transactions
➡ Product photos
➡ Chat histories
➡ Warranty cards
➡ Serial numbers

We know countless ways to prove ownership anyway.

9. Conclusion – straight to the point

After a burglary, it's not the damage that's the biggest killer –
it's the chaos that follows .

The first 24 hours determine:

• Amount of reimbursement

• Acknowledgement of damages

• Speed ​​of regulation

With photo documentation + list + message, it usually works smoothly.

📲 WhatsApp immediate help in case of burglary

If you are currently affected, send us :

📸 Photos
📄 Case number
🧾 List of missing items

No hotline. No paperwork. No insurance jargon.