3 minute readClaims
File a police report immediately and get the report number — carriers require it. Then document what is missing with any receipts, photos, or serial numbers you have, notify your carrier, and freeze credit if documents or identity information were taken.
What you need to know
Police report first
Theft claims without a report are difficult to substantiate.
Proof of ownership
Receipts, photos, bank records, and serial numbers all help. This is where a home inventory pays off.
Watch special limits
Jewelry, cash, firearms, and electronics may have low sub-limits unless scheduled.
Common mistakes
- Cleaning up or repairing before documenting the damage.
- Delaying the report on anything involving injuries or another party.
- Filing small claims that cost more in renewal pricing than they pay.
- Accepting a denial without asking for the specific policy language.
- Signing contractor paperwork assigning claim benefits without reading it.
When to talk to an agent
Call before you file if you can. We will tell you how the loss is likely to be handled, what to document, and whether filing makes sense — and we stay involved once the claim is open.
Frequently asked
This article is general information, not a policy or a promise of coverage. What your policy pays depends on its specific terms, limits and exclusions. Ask us to review your actual policy before making a decision.