Burglary at Home: What to Do Next, and How to Write the Claim List

The first minutes: safety and the police

• Don’t go in if the intruder might still be there. Step away and call the police (112 works across Europe; 117 in Switzerland, 110 in Germany).
• Don’t touch or tidy anything until the police have recorded the scene.
• Photograph everything: forced doors and windows, ransacked cupboards, damaged furniture.
• File a police report and get the reference number. Your insurer will almost always ask for it.

The first hours: limit the damage

• Block cards and accounts if your wallet, bank cards or ID are gone.
• Lock and locate devices: mark stolen phones, tablets and laptops as lost through the manufacturer’s account, and change your passwords.
• Change the locks if keys are missing, and secure the home temporarily. Many policies cover these costs — keep the receipts.
• Notify your insurer as soon as possible. Many policies require prompt notice.

What is a stolen-property list, and when is it due?

The stolen-property list (or claim list) itemises everything that was taken. It goes to the police, so recovered goods can be matched to you, and to your insurer as the basis for your payout. Insurers often expect it promptly, and a late list can reduce your claim. It’s better to submit a first list quickly and add to it as you notice more things missing.

What to include on the claim list

For every stolen or damaged item, as much of this as you can:

• description, brand and model
• serial number or IMEI (especially useful to the police for electronics)
• purchase date and purchase price
• today’s replacement value — what an equivalent costs new now
• proof: receipt, invoice, warranty card, bank statement or order confirmation
• photos showing the item — even everyday photos where the watch on your wrist or the bike in the background is visible
• distinguishing features such as engravings, scratches or accessories

Why the list is so hard after a burglary

Almost nobody can write a complete list from memory. The TV, laptop and jewellery come to mind straight away — the headphones in the drawer, the camera in the wardrobe or the collection in the cellar only weeks later. Without receipts and photos, proving ownership and value is hard too. If you made your inventory before the loss, you only need to export it.

Which thefts are actually covered?

Contents insurance usually covers theft following forced entry — a broken-open door or a smashed window. Simple theft with no sign of break-in (for example from an unlocked home), or theft away from home, is often only covered with an add-on. Cash, jewellery and valuables frequently have their own limits. Your policy tells you what applies.

How Vavaro writes the list for you

In Vavaro your items are already recorded room by room, with photos, receipts, warranty documents and an AI estimate of replacement value and resale value. After a loss, one tap creates a claim pack: a ZIP archive with a PDF inventory report including photos, a CSV of every item, and all original photos and documents organised by room and item. You share it straight from the app to your insurer by email or messenger.