Making a burglary claim on your home policy

Key rules

• Denuncia: File the police report as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours, and attach a copy to your claim.
• Insurer notice: Tell your insurer within seven days unless your policy sets another period.
• Forced entry: Cover usually depends on force against doors, windows or locks, so theft through an open door is often excluded.
• Proof: You must prove the items existed and their value, or the insurer may pay less.
• Valuables: Jewellery and cash usually have low sub-limits unless declared or kept in a safe.

What a burglary claim needs

Your claim needs three things: a police report (denuncia), proof of what you owned and what it was worth, and a theft that fits your policy's forced-entry and security conditions. Miss one and the insurer can refuse or reduce the payment.

Report to the police first

File the denuncia as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours. Go to a Policía Nacional or Guardia Civil station, or a local police station that takes reports. You may be able to start a report online or by phone, but you normally have to confirm it in person. Keep a copy: insurers expect it attached to your claim.

Tell your insurer quickly

Notify the insurer within seven days of the burglary, unless your policy sets a different period. Check the policy for the exact deadline. Send the denuncia copy with your notification. The timeline below shows the order of steps.

Do not repair before you document

Photograph or film the forced door, window or lock, and any damage, before you fix anything. Then list every stolen item with brand, model, age and price. The checklist below covers the full evidence set, and the documents list shows what proves ownership and value.

If you are missing receipts, the insurer may accept witness statements or your estimated values. It may then settle at a lower amount. For the future, keep a dated photo or video inventory of your home.

Forced entry and security conditions

Most home policies pay for theft only when there was force against things (fuerza en las cosas), such as a forced door, window or lock, or intimidation of people. Theft without force, such as items taken through a door left open or with a lost key, is often excluded or limited.

Read the theft clause for these common conditions:

• A working lock on the door, and in some policies shutters or an alarm.
• Exclusions for a home left empty for more than a set number of consecutive days, often 60 to 90.
• Exclusions for theft by someone living with you, and for negligence such as leaving doors or windows open.
• Extra security requirements for second homes or outbuildings.

Conditions differ by insurer, so your policy wording decides.

Jewellery, cash and valuables

Policies usually cap what they pay for jewellery, cash and other valuables. The cap is often a percentage of the contents sum insured or a fixed euro amount. Cash limits are usually low. Jewellery is often covered only up to a limit unless it was in a locked safe or declared separately. Art, furs and collections often need to be listed and valued in the special conditions. Check these limits in your particular conditions before you claim, and ask your insurer to add valuables if they are not listed.

Timeline and deadlines

• Confirm in person any report you started online or by phone: right after starting the report, as it normally has to be confirmed in person

Documents you need

• Purchase invoices and receipts for the stolen items, to prove you owned them and what they cost.

• Bank or card statements showing the purchase of the stolen items.

• Photos or videos of your home that show the items, ideally dated and taken before the theft.

• An inventory list of your belongings made before the theft.

• Serial numbers and warranty documents for electronics and appliances.

• Appraisals or certificates for stolen jewellery, issued by the jeweller or valuer.

• Delivery notes for larger items such as furniture or appliances.

Evidence checklist after a theft or damage loss

Evidence to collect for a burglary claim

• Take dated photos or videos of the forced door, window or lock and of any damage before you repair anything.

• Gather purchase invoices, receipts, and bank or card statements that show you bought the stolen items.

• Find earlier photos or videos of your home that show the items, plus any inventory list, warranty documents or delivery notes.

• Get appraisals or certificates for stolen jewellery.

• Ask for itemised repair or replacement quotes (presupuestos) from independent firms, showing materials and labour.

• Note the names and contact details of any witnesses, and ask them for a written statement if you lack documents for some items.

• Gather market prices for equivalent items to back up your values for the loss adjuster (perito), who inspects the damage for the insurer.

Frequently asked questions

Does my policy pay if a thief got in through a door I left open?

Usually not, because most home policies cover theft only when there was force against things, such as a forced door, window or lock, or intimidation of people. Theft after a door was left open or a key was lost is often excluded or limited. Read the theft clause in your policy.

Is stolen jewellery or cash covered in full?

Usually not, because home policies set lower limits for jewellery, cash and other valuables in theft claims. Cash is often capped at a low amount, and jewellery is often covered only up to a limit unless it was in a locked safe or declared separately. Items such as art, furs or collections often need to be listed and valued in the policy.

Am I covered if the home was empty when the burglary happened?

Not always, because many policies exclude theft in a home left unoccupied for more than a set number of consecutive days, often 60 to 90. Theft by someone living with you is also commonly excluded. Second homes and outbuildings may need extra security to be covered.

Can I still claim if I have no receipts for what was stolen?

Yes, you can still claim, but the insurer may settle at a lower amount. Witness statements or estimated values may be accepted when documents are missing. A dated photo or video inventory of your home helps avoid this in future.