The First Hour — Stay Safe and Do Not Disturb the Scene
When you arrive home or wake up to find your home has been broken into, your first concern is safety. Do not enter if you are unsure whether the intruder has left. Call armed response or the police from outside and wait for them to clear the premises before entering. Intruders who are cornered are dangerous.
Once you are certain the premises are clear, do not touch, move, or clean anything until you have documented the scene. The evidence at a break-in scene supports your insurance claim and the police investigation. Disturbing it before photographing prematurely closes both.
Step 1 — Document the Scene
Before calling the police or your insurer, photograph everything:
- The point of entry — broken window, forced door, cut security gate
- Every room that was disturbed
- Drawers pulled out, cupboards rifled, items on the floor
- Any items that are visibly missing (empty display cases, missing electronics, open safe)
- Any damage caused by the intruder
Take wide shots of each room and close-up shots of damage and forced entry points. The more comprehensive the documentation, the stronger your insurance claim.
Step 2 — Report to SAPS
Report the break-in to your nearest SAPS station or call 10111. A case number is mandatory for your insurance claim — most insurers will not process a claim without it. The police will send officers to the scene to collect evidence and open a case docket.
When making your statement to the police, be as specific as possible about what was taken. Provide serial numbers where you have them — check your records, email receipts, or photographs of your devices for serial numbers before the police leave.
Step 3 — Contact Your Insurer
Call your household contents insurer as soon as possible after filing the police report. Most policies require the report to be filed within 24 hours of the incident or of becoming aware of it. Provide:
- The SAPS case number
- A description of what was taken
- A description of the damage caused
The insurer will assign a claims assessor who may visit the property or ask for additional documentation. Cooperate fully and keep copies of everything you submit.
Compiling Your Inventory
Write out a complete list of everything taken — items, approximate values, and serial numbers or other identifiers where known. Check bank and credit card statements for purchase records. Check email for online purchase confirmations. Cloud photo storage often contains photographs of devices with serial numbers visible. The more complete your inventory, the more complete your claim.
For high-value items (jewellery, watches, art), a valuation certificate submitted with the claim prevents disputes about value. If you did not have valuation certificates before the theft, submit purchase receipts or manufacturer suggested retail price evidence.
Securing the Property
Before leaving the property unoccupied again, address the point of entry. A broken window must be boarded; a forced door must be repaired or secured; a cut security gate must be replaced or temporarily secured. Leaving a visible entry point open after a break-in invites a follow-up visit.
Contact a locksmith or glazier immediately for emergency boarding or repair. Keep the invoices — these are claimable under your household insurance in addition to stolen items.
The Aftermath — Security Review
After the immediate crisis is managed, assess how the break-in occurred and what would have prevented it or detected it sooner. Common improvements worth considering: improved perimeter lighting, CCTV cameras at entry points, an upgraded alarm system, security gates on windows and doors, and ensuring your armed response is linked to your alarm system rather than being a passive subscription.