Theft Insurance Claim

The 10-step workflow

1. 1

   Call the police and get a report number

   A police report is required by almost every insurer for theft claims. Call non-emergency or 911 (depending on circumstances) and request an officer be dispatched. Get the case/report number — you'll need it for the insurance claim.

2. 2

   Don't disturb the scene before police arrive

   If you discover a burglary, leave the scene as undisturbed as possible until officers complete their investigation. Photograph any obvious points of entry and any damage before any cleanup.

3. 3

   Notify your insurer promptly

   Call the claims line and open the claim. Provide the police report number, date and approximate time of loss, and a preliminary list of stolen items. Get a claim number and adjuster contact.

4. 4

   Make a detailed inventory of stolen items

   Item description, date acquired (estimate is fine), original cost, replacement cost today, serial numbers where available. The more detail and supporting documentation (receipts, photos, manuals, appraisals), the larger and faster the settlement.

5. 5

   Gather supporting documentation

   Receipts, credit card statements showing purchase, appraisals for high-value items, photographs of items before theft, owner's manuals, and warranty paperwork. Bank statements showing irregular withdrawals (in identity-theft adjacent cases) can support the claim.

6. 6

   Check special limits before assuming full payout

   Standard homeowners and renters policies cap theft losses on specific categories: jewelry and watches (often $1,500-$2,500), firearms ($2,500), money ($200-$500), securities ($1,500), silverware ($2,500), business property in the home ($2,500). Items above these limits without a scheduled endorsement only pay up to the special limit.

7. 7

   Notify card issuers, banks, and credit bureaus if applicable

   If wallets, cards, IDs, or computers/phones with stored credentials were stolen, contact card issuers immediately and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports. These are not insurance steps but they're critical contemporaneously.

8. 8

   Watch for ACV vs replacement cost on contents

   If your contents coverage is at actual cash value, depreciation is subtracted from the settlement. Replacement cost coverage pays what it costs to buy new today. Confirm which applies on your declarations page.

9. 9

   Submit the proof of loss on time

   Most policies require a sworn proof of loss within 60-90 days of insurer request. Missing this is a common technical ground for denial. Itemize everything in writing.

10. 10

    Coordinate with recovery if items are found

    If police recover stolen property after settlement, ownership typically transfers based on the policy terms — sometimes back to you, sometimes to the insurer who paid out. Confirm the terms before the situation arises.

Related guides

FAQ

Do I need a police report to file a theft claim?

Almost always, yes. Insurers require a police report number to document that a theft was reported to law enforcement. The report serves both as evidence of the theft and as a deterrent against fraudulent claims. Without a report, theft claims are routinely denied.

Are stolen items covered at replacement cost or actual cash value?

Depends on your policy. Standard renters and homeowners policies can be written at either replacement cost (RCV) or actual cash value (ACV). RCV pays what it costs to buy new today; ACV pays depreciated value. RCV is worth the small premium difference for most policyholders. Check your declarations page.

What's the special limit on jewelry, and how do I cover items above it?

Standard policies cap unscheduled jewelry losses at $1,500-$2,500. To cover items above this limit, schedule them with a separate scheduled personal property endorsement (also called a 'floater'). Each item is listed individually, typically with an appraisal, and the policy pays the scheduled value with no deductible.

Is theft from my car covered by homeowners or auto insurance?

Items inside the car (groceries, laptop, sports equipment) are typically covered by your homeowners or renters policy under off-premises personal property coverage — not by your auto policy. The vehicle itself (or stolen parts of it, including catalytic converters) is covered by auto comprehensive. Sub-limits often apply.

Will filing a theft claim raise my premium?

It can. Many insurers surcharge for theft claims at renewal, though the size and duration of the surcharge varies by state and carrier. The break-even calculation: small thefts (just over the deductible) often aren't worth filing because the multi-year surcharge can exceed the payout. Use a claim-worth-filing analysis before submitting borderline claims.