What to do if your home is burgled or vandalised
You never expect to get home and find a door forced open, or discover you’ve been robbed. It’s a situation that can cause anguish, anger and a deep sense of vulnerability. Your home is your refuge, the place where you feel safe, and, when someone breaks into it, everything changes.
Knowing how to act at those moments can make the difference between handling the situation effectively or feeling completely overwhelmed. If you ever face a burglary or acts of vandalism at home, it’s important to keep calm and follow a few key steps. In this article, we explain what to do – depending on whether you have home insurance – to help you deal with the situation in the best possible way.
What can I do my home is burgled and I don’t have home insurance?
If your home is burgled or vandalised and you don’t have home insurance, managing the incident falls entirely to you. And although the situation can seem overwhelming, it’s important to act quickly and carefully, and follow these four steps to minimise the consequences:
1. Call the police
The first step is to contact the authorities. Don't enter your home if you suspect the intruders may still be inside and, if you’re already inside, avoid touching or moving anything until the police arrive. Filing a report is essential to start any investigation and try to recover stolen items.
2. Make a list of damages and stolen items
Take photos and videos of the damage and prepare a detailed inventory of stolen or vandalised items. Whenever possible, include serial numbers, models or identifying marks. This will help you provide evidence if you later need to justify losses to any body or submit a claim.
3. Strengthen your home’s security
If locks, windows or doors have been forced, repairing them is a priority to prevent further incidents. Installing an alarm or improving security measures – fitting a second lock or making sure you always double-lock – will be key to reducing future risks.
4. Find out whether you can receive any support or compensation
In some cases there are government or municipal schemes that can provide financial support to repair damage caused by vandalism or burglary. You may also have the option to claim compensation if the offenders are caught and convicted, but you’ll need to inform the police in advance.
And if I do have home insurance?
If you have home insurance – such as Meridiano Seguros home insurance – the situation can be resolved more quickly and with less financial impact on you. Follow these four steps to know how to proceed and make proper use of your policy cover:
1. File a police report
Reporting the incident to the police is a mandatory requirement for the insurer to cover the cost of the burglary or damage. Make sure you request a copy of the police report.
2. Notify your insurer of the claim
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to inform them of what happened. Many insurers – as Meridiano – have 24/7 assistance lines for these cases. If your home insurance is with Meridiano, you can contact us on 900 747 312 and we’ll guide you through the entire process.
3. Prepare the necessary documentation
Provide the insurer with photos, invoices and receipts for the stolen or damaged items. This will speed up the claim adjustment process and payment of compensation.
4. Reinforce your home’s security
Some insurers may offer discounts on security systems or assistance to improve protection after a claim. You can also upgrade your security, as mentioned above, by fitting a second lock or always double-locking.
It’s important to check your policy cover or call your insurer for information, as each policy has specific conditions.
Advantages of taking out home insurance
Spanish law doesn’t require you to take out home insurance except in specific cases, for example, when you have a mortgage or if your tenancy agreement requires it. However, having home insurance can bring many benefits.
Home insurance protects you against unexpected damage such as fires, floods and appliance breakdowns, helping you avoid unexpected costs that can be difficult to handle. It also provides peace of mind and security, as financial backup reduces stress and uncertainty in situations such as burglaries or vandalism.
In addition, policies are customisable, allowing you to tailor cover to your specific needs – from protection for valuables to tech assistance – whether you have a mortgage or you’re renting.
Experiencing a burglary or vandalism at home is something no one wants to go through, but being well prepared is essential. If you don’t have home insurance, it’s vital to act quickly, document what happened and reinforce security. On the other hand, having insurance offers protection, rapid assistance and financial backup to handle this kind of incident with greater peace of mind.
At Meridiano Seguros we know how important it is to feel safe at home. That’s why we offer comprehensive cover tailored to each household so that, when something unexpected happens, you only need to focus on your wellbeing and that of your loved ones. If you have questions or need more details, call 900 747 312, contact us online or visit any of our branches.
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Published in Corporate Social Responsibility