Coming home to find your front door forced open and your personal belongings ransacked is a deeply violating and traumatic experience. It is incredibly difficult to react calmly in the face of a home invasion. We always think that these things only happen to other people on the evening news, but the truth is that a burglary can happen to anyone.
Although residential crime has shown a decreasing trend in recent years, the police still record a considerable number of home robberies annually. Knowing exactly how to react in the first few hours is critical—not only to help the police catch the culprits but also to ensure your insurance claim is processed smoothly.
If your home is robbed, take a deep breath and follow these 10 essential steps so that your life can return to normal as quickly as possible.
1. Call the Police (112) Immediately
The sooner the authorities are notified, the better the chance of catching the thieves. However, do not enter the house if you suspect the burglars are still inside! Back away slowly, go to a safe place (like your car or a neighbor’s house), and call the European emergency number, 112. Stay nearby to monitor what is happening, but never try to confront a burglar. No physical possession is worth risking your life.
2. Do Not Touch Anything
Faced with the horrific disorder of a robbery, your first instinct will be to clean up the mess and see what is missing. Stop. You must remember that your home is now an active crime scene. If you touch door handles, pick up dropped items, or sweep the floor before the forensic investigation begins, you could destroy crucial DNA or fingerprint evidence, making the work of law enforcement nearly impossible.
3. Create an Inventory of Stolen and Damaged Property
While you are waiting outside for the police to arrive, or after they have officially cleared the scene, begin mentally (and then physically) recording everything that was stolen or damaged. Include serial numbers, purchase dates, and describe any unique markings that might identify your property. This inventory will be vital for the police report and absolutely mandatory for your home insurance claim.
4. Protect Your Accounts and Digital Identity
It is crucial to prevent thieves from compounding the crime by tampering with your finances.
- Bank Cards: If your credit or debit cards are missing, call your bank’s emergency line immediately to cancel them.
- Electronics: If laptops, tablets, or cell phones were stolen, use another device to remotely lock them, wipe their data, and change your passwords for essential platforms (like your email and banking apps).
- IDs: If your passport, Citizen Card, or driving license is missing, explicitly state this to the police to prevent identity theft.
5. Obtain Official Proof of the Criminal Complaint
Filing a formal criminal complaint (Auto de Denúncia) with the competent authorities (PSP, GNR, or Judicial Police) is mandatory. When the police finish their report, make absolutely sure you ask for an official, stamped copy of the complaint document. Without this specific piece of paper, no insurance company in the country will process a theft claim.
6. Call Your Insurance Company
As soon as the police leave, contact your insurance broker. Depending on the specific coverage of your Multi-Risk Home Insurance, your policy may pay to replace the stolen property and cover the costs of repairing your broken doors and shattered windows. Make sure you have the police report number, your stolen goods inventory, and any purchase receipts ready to submit.
7. Re-Secure Your Home
One of the best ways to regain your peace of mind is to immediately increase the physical security of your home. Start by repairing any alarms or cameras that were damaged during the break-in. Most importantly, change the locks on your exterior doors immediately. Even if you don’t think your spare keys were stolen, you cannot take that risk. Ask the police or an expert locksmith for advice on how you can improve your home’s perimeter security.
8. Reevaluate Your Insurance Policy
A robbery often reveals the hidden flaws in your insurance policy. Did you discover that your current policy only covered theft up to €5,000, but the thieves stole €15,000 worth of jewelry and electronics? Once the dust has settled, sit down and reevaluate your home insurance. You may need to request an «upgrade» to your capital limits or add specific riders for high-value items (like art or expensive bicycles) so you are fully protected in the future.
9. Seek Psychological Support
Being robbed is an experience no one wants to go through. A stranger has not only invaded your physical space but has violated your sense of safety. It is entirely normal to feel traumatized, suffer from insomnia, or experience intense anxiety for weeks afterward. Do not bottle these feelings up. It is essential to ask for help to overcome this situation. Vent to your family and friends, or seek out a professional therapist to help you process the trauma.
10. Submit a Civil Compensation Claim
In the rare but fortunate event that the robbers are caught and brought to justice by the state, you have the legal right to attach a civil compensation claim (Pedido de Indemnização Civil) to the criminal proceedings. This legally forces the perpetrators to pay you back for the emotional distress and any financial damages that your insurance did not cover. Ask the police or a lawyer how to formally proceed with this request.
💡 A Final Tip from the Folime Team:
A home invasion is a painful event, but you will resolve the aftermath much faster if you stay organized. Keep a digital folder on your phone containing photos of your most expensive possessions and their receipts. If the unthinkable happens, handing a complete, pre-made digital inventory to the police and your insurer will speed up the recovery process immensely!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article by Folime is for educational and safety awareness purposes only. Always prioritize personal safety during a home invasion and follow the direct instructions of local law enforcement.
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