Can I go back into my home right after a burglary?

If you think the intruder may still be present, do not enter and call 17. If the home is empty, you can enter carefully to assess the damage, but avoid touching anything before the police arrive so as to preserve the evidence.

How long do I have to declare a burglary to my insurer?

You legally have 5 working days to declare a claim (burglary, theft) to your insurer. This period runs from the moment you discover the loss. Act quickly so you do not lose your right to compensation.

Can a locksmith secure my home the same night after a burglary?

Yes. 247 Serrurerie operates 24/7 to secure a home after a break-in: temporary sealing of a forced door, emergency cylinder or lock replacement. We are reachable at any hour for a fast intervention across Paris and Île-de-France.

What to Do After a Burglary? Complete Guide

Discovering that your home has been burgled is a shock. Stress and confusion can lead to acting out of order, which sometimes complicates the police process and insurance compensation. Here are the right steps, in the right order.

Step 1: Touch nothing and assess from outside

Before entering your home, quickly assess the situation from the hallway or the front door. If you hear noise or have the slightest doubt that the intruder is still present, do not enter. Call 17 (police) or 112 from outside and wait for help.

If the home appears empty, you may enter carefully, but touch nothing. Traces left by burglars (fingerprints, cigarette butts, textile fibres) are evidence the forensic team can use. Photograph everything you see: forced door, open drawers, moved objects, entry points.

Step 2: Call the police or gendarmerie

Dial 17 to report the burglary. Do not try to identify who may have done it yourself, or to “clean up” before the authorities arrive.

File a formal report at the police station for your arrondissement or the relevant gendarmerie within 24 to 48 hours. You legally have up to 5 working days, but acting fast is in your interest for the investigation and for your insurer.

Keep the report receipt carefully: your insurer will require it to process the claim.

Step 3: Draw up an inventory of stolen items

Before contacting your insurer, make a list as precise as possible of everything stolen: description, brand, estimated value, serial number if available. Check your bank statements to find the value of recently purchased items.

If you have photos of your belongings (phone, computer, jewellery), find them in your photo albums or cloud backups: they will serve as useful evidence.

Step 4: Declare the claim to your insurer

Call your insurer within 5 working days of discovering the burglary. You can also declare via your online account. When declaring, provide:

✓The date and circumstances of the burglary
✓The inventory of stolen items with estimated values
✓The police report receipt
✓Photos of the damage

Ask your insurer whether an assessor must visit before you have anything repaired. If urgent (an un-securable home), secure the door anyway and document the state before and after the work.

Step 5: Secure your home immediately

Do not leave your home accessible or poorly secured any longer than necessary. Call 247 Serrurerie to:

✓Seal a forced door pending permanent repair
✓Replace the cylinder(s) (even if not forced, if keys were stolen)
✓Install a security lock or a temporary additional bolt
✓Assess other vulnerable entry points (windows, service doors)

We respond in under 30 minutes in Paris and provide a detailed invoice for your insurance file.

Step 6: Reinforce your security long term

After the emergency, take time to rethink your home’s security:

Change your cylinders

Even if the door was not forced through the cylinder, change it if keys were stolen. Opt for a certified A2P cylinder to reduce the risk of repeat. Our cylinder guide details the options.

Consider door armouring

If your door was forced easily, this may be the time to move to door armouring. A certified A2P armoured door resists several tens of minutes of forced entry, discouraging most burglars.

Install an alarm

In addition to mechanical measures, a connected alarm (siren, smartphone notification, monitoring) adds an effective layer of deterrence.

Review your habits

✓Always lock up, even to go down for the mail
✓Do not leave keys under the doormat or in obvious hiding places
✓Tell a trusted person or your neighbours about extended absences

Psychological support after a burglary

A burglary is often experienced as an intrusion into one’s privacy, not just a material loss. It is normal to feel anxiety, mistrust or difficulty sleeping in the following days. Do not hesitate to talk to a doctor or contact a victim support association (such as France Victimes on 116 006).

247 Serrurerie: available whenever you need us

247 Serrurerie operates across Paris and Île-de-France 24/7. We secure your home after a burglary with professionalism and discretion, and provide all the documents needed for your insurance file.

Call us now or see our securing services.