If your apartment is broken into, the immediate aftermath involves ensuring your safety, contacting law enforcement, thoroughly documenting the scene, and coordinating with your landlord and insurance provider to address damages and losses.
Immediate Safety and Contacting Authorities
Your first priority should always be your safety. If you discover a potential break-in, do not enter your apartment or confront any suspected intruders. The individual might still be inside, posing a threat.
Instead, take these crucial steps:
- Move to a Safe Location: Go to a neighbor's apartment, a nearby business, or your car.
- Call Emergency Services: Immediately dial 911 (or your local emergency number) to report the break-in. Provide your exact address and any observations you made, such as forced entry points or suspicious activity.
- Wait for Police: Remain in a safe location until law enforcement arrives and secures the premises. They will confirm if it's safe for you to enter.
Documenting the Scene (Once Safe)
Once the police have deemed it safe for you to re-enter, the process of documenting the crime begins. It's essential to touch as little as possible before the police conduct their investigation, but once they allow, you will need to gather information.
- Assess Damages and Loss: Carefully go through your apartment to identify what items were broken, damaged, or stolen. This inventory will be critical for both the police investigation and your insurance claim.
- Take Pictures and Videos: Document everything meticulously. Take wide-angle photos of each room to show the overall state, then focus on close-ups of forced entry points (e.g., a shattered window, pried door frame), ransacked areas, and empty spaces where valuables once were. Include damaged furniture or personal items.
- Review Security Footage: If your apartment building or personal unit has security cameras, review any available footage. This can provide valuable clues about the perpetrator, their entry/exit, and the timing of the break-in.
- Create a Detailed List: Compile a comprehensive list of all missing or damaged items. For each item, include:
- A description
- Estimated value (original cost and replacement cost)
- Serial numbers (if applicable)
- Purchase dates
- Any supporting documentation like receipts or appraisals.
Working with Police and Filing a Report
The information you gather will be vital for the police investigation. Provide officers with all your documentation, including photos, videos, and your inventory list. They will use this information to investigate the crime and file an official police report.
It's crucial to obtain a copy of this police report as soon as possible. This report is a fundamental document required for filing an insurance claim and often for any necessary repairs or security upgrades requested from your landlord. Ensure you get the case number and the name of the investigating officer.
Here’s a quick overview of immediate actions:
| Action Category | Specific Steps |
|---|---|
| Immediate Safety | 1. Ensure no one is still present. |
| 2. Do not enter the apartment. | |
| 3. Call 911 (or local emergency services). | |
| 4. Wait for police in a secure location. | |
| Documentation | 1. Photograph all damages and missing items (after police permission). |
| 2. Document everything thoroughly. | |
| 3. View any available security camera footage. | |
| Reporting | 1. Provide all information to police for their investigation. |
| 2. File an official police report. | |
| 3. Obtain a copy of the police report and case number. | |
| Follow-up | 1. Contact your landlord regarding damages and security. |
| 2. Contact your renters' insurance company to file a claim. |
Notifying Your Landlord and Insurance Provider
Once the immediate police procedures are complete, you'll need to contact other parties.
- Notify Your Landlord: Inform your landlord or property management company about the break-in immediately. They are responsible for repairing structural damage to the apartment (e.g., broken windows, doors, locks) and ensuring the building's overall security. Discuss how they plan to secure your unit quickly.
- Contact Your Renters' Insurance Company: If you have renters' insurance, contact your provider as soon as possible to file a claim. Renters' insurance typically covers the loss or damage of your personal property due to theft, fire, and other perils.
- Provide Necessary Documentation: You will need to submit the police report, your detailed inventory list of stolen or damaged items, and any photos or videos you took. The more evidence you provide, the smoother the claims process will likely be.
- Understand Your Policy: Review your policy to understand your coverage limits, deductible, and the process for reimbursement (actual cash value vs. replacement cost).
Securing Your Apartment and Moving Forward
After a break-in, securing your apartment is paramount for your peace of mind and future safety.
- Temporary Security: Ensure all points of entry are temporarily secured. Your landlord should arrange for immediate repairs to broken doors, windows, and locks.
- Permanent Security Enhancements: Consider asking your landlord about upgrading security features, such as:
- Stronger locks (deadbolts)
- Reinforced door frames
- Window locks
- Security cameras or alarm systems
- Personal Security Measures: Be more vigilant about locking doors and windows, even when home. Consider joining or forming a neighborhood watch, or investing in personal security devices.
Experiencing a home invasion can be a traumatic event. It's important to acknowledge the emotional impact and seek support if needed. This might involve talking to friends, family, or a professional counselor to process your feelings of vulnerability or anxiety.
