What Insurance Coverage Protects You from Home Burglary?
A break-in is every homeowner’s nightmare. Beyond the emotional toll, burglaries can lead to significant financial losses. The good news? The right insurance policy can help you recover. In this post, we’ll explain what types of coverage protect you from burglary, how claims work, and what steps you can take to stay protected.
Homeowners Insurance and Burglary Protection
Most standard homeowners insurance policies include protection against burglary and theft. This type of coverage typically falls under two major parts of your policy:
Personal Property Coverage
Dwelling and Other Structures Coverage (if there's damage to your home)
Let’s break these down.
1. Personal Property Coverage
This is the primary section of your policy that responds to theft. If someone breaks into your home and steals items—electronics, jewelry, tools, furniture—personal property coverage helps reimburse you for those losses, up to your coverage limit.
What’s Covered:
Stolen electronics (TVs, laptops, gaming systems)
Jewelry and watches (up to a sub-limit)
Clothing, appliances, and personal belongings
Items stolen from your garage or shed
Important Notes:
High-value items like jewelry, art, or collectibles may have coverage limits. You may need to “schedule” these separately with additional coverage.
Coverage typically applies even if items are stolen away from home—like from your car or while traveling.
2. Dwelling and Other Structures Coverage
If a burglar breaks a window, kicks in a door, or damages a garage during the break-in, your dwelling coverage helps pay for those repairs. Similarly, if a shed or detached garage is damaged, other structures coverage applies.
What About Renters Insurance?
If you rent your home or apartment, your landlord’s insurance only covers the building—not your belongings. That’s why renters insurance is so important.
Renters insurance includes:
Personal property coverage for theft
Liability protection
Loss of use coverage if you need to relocate temporarily
Just like homeowners insurance, renters policies have limits and exclusions, so reviewing your coverage is essential.
Does Insurance Cover Identity Theft?
A home burglary could expose sensitive documents—credit cards, banking information, or IDs. While this isn’t always covered under standard theft protection, identity theft coverage is often available as an add-on. It can help pay for:
Monitoring services
Legal fees
Lost wages due to resolving fraud
Ask your agent if your policy includes this option or if it’s available to add.
What to Do After a Burglary
If you experience a break-in, follow these steps:
Call the police immediately and file a report.
Document the damage and missing items with photos and a written inventory.
Contact your insurance agent to start your claim.
Secure your home to prevent additional losses.
Having a home inventory (with photos and receipts, if possible) makes the claims process smoother and faster.
Ways to Prevent Burglary—and Possibly Lower Your Premium
Many insurers offer discounts for burglary prevention efforts, including:
Installing a monitored home security system
Adding deadbolt locks and reinforced doors
Using motion-sensor lighting or smart home devices
Keeping valuables out of sight from windows
Prevention not only reduces risk but can help keep your premiums more affordable.
How Hixson & Malinowski Insurance Can Help
As an independent insurance agency in Parma, we’re here to make sure your home insurance policy fits your life—not just the basics. We’ll help you:
Understand what’s covered in case of theft or burglary
Identify gaps in your current protection
Add coverage for high-value items or identity theft
Find ways to save through safety discounts
Our team is here to support you before, during, and after a claim.
A burglary is stressful—but with the right insurance in place, it doesn’t have to be financially devastating. Homeowners and renters insurance can help replace stolen items and repair property damage, so you can recover with peace of mind. Contact Hixson & Malinowski Insurance today to make sure your policy is ready for the unexpected.
