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Damage from theft and burglary

Theft and burglary: evidence of what you had is as important as evidence that it has gone.

After a burglary the questions only begin: what have you lost, can you prove ownership, does your property meet the policy requirements for locks and security? We help you answer those questions on the facts — and obtain the settlement to which you are entitled.

Good to know

What Krantz & Polak does in theft and burglary claims

A burglary leaves a sense of violation that is difficult to insure against. The material side is, however, an insurance matter — and we work through that side with you, carefully and without distraction.

In this kind of file there are three things at stake: proving what you had, proving what is gone, and proving that your situation falls within the policy. On all three fronts we see insurers raising defences which, as a matter of fact or of law, do not always hold up.

Damage assessment and list of stolen goods

The foundation is a detailed inventory: what has been stolen, what has been left behind damaged, what has been destroyed by the burglary itself (door frame, window, safe). We compile that list with you — not just “a laptop”, but “MacBook Pro 14 inch M2, purchased March 2023, serial number X, original purchase price 2,499 euros”.

For jewellery and art we work with valuation reports — your existing report from your jeweller, or where necessary a retrospective valuation based on photographs. For electronics, we trace serial numbers via manufacturer warranties, tax filings (for business goods) and cloud backups.

Proving ownership

Insurers almost always ask for evidence that you were the owner. In many households this is difficult — who still has all the receipts for a ten-year-old watch? The following can help your evidential position:

  • Purchase receipts, warranty certificates and invoices.
  • Photographs showing the items (interior photos, social media, birthday photos, holiday photos).
  • Insurance schedules and earlier valuation reports.
  • Bank statements showing purchases.
  • For heirlooms: wills, deeds of distribution, or photographs of previous generations.

We guide you through this reconstruction. In most cases more can be demonstrated than you initially think.

Policy conditions and security requirements

Many contents policies impose requirements on the security of your home or business premises: a particular lock grade, fittings, alarm certification for higher risks, or night-time closure for business premises. The insurer may invoke these requirements to refuse or reduce your claim.

We assess whether the requirements being invoked are genuinely in the policy, whether they are legally tenable (a number of standard conditions have been rejected by courts as unreasonably onerous), and — above all — whether there is a causal connection between the deviation and the burglary. A missing SKG cylinder is a different matter where the burglar entered through a smashed window.

Sub-limits and valuation disputes

Contents policies frequently have sub-limits for specific categories — jewellery up to a certain amount, audio-visual equipment, cash. Anything above that limit is not covered unless you have additional cover. We assess which limits apply, whether you have “activated” those limits through additional cover, and whether the insurer is applying the correct limits.

For valuation disputes — particularly with jewellery, antiques, art and high-end electronics — we bring in external valuers where necessary. Their fees form part of your recoverable loss.

Guidance through to settlement

Until the final amount is in your account. We handle communication with the insurer, assess interim proposals and — if matters reach an impasse — advise on Kifid or court proceedings.

Common points of dispute

  • “No police report = no payout”: a police report is almost always required; make sure it is filed before negotiating further.
  • “No purchase receipts = no compensation”: that is an assumption, not a rule. Demonstrable ownership can be shown in many ways.
  • Actual cash value for older items: often justified, sometimes not — your policy determines this.
  • Sub-limit for jewellery or cash: check whether you are above or below the limit, and whether additional cover has been taken out.
  • Security requirement invoked: not every breach leads to refusal. Causation counts.
  • “Suspicious circumstances”: without substantiated evidence this is not a basis for refusal. Suspicion is not proof.

What you can do

  1. 1 Report the incident to the police immediately and obtain the report number.
  2. 2 Photograph the signs of forced entry before tidying up or arranging repairs.
  3. 3 Draw up a detailed list of what has been stolen — with brand, type, age and value.
  4. 4 Gather purchase receipts, valuation reports and any warranty certificates.
  5. 5 Engage your own counter-expert before concluding the damage assessment with the insurer.

Frequently asked

What if I no longer have purchase receipts?

Hardly anyone still has receipts for older belongings. That is not automatically the end of your claim. Photographs of your interior (holiday photos, Christmas photos, social media) can demonstrate that an item was present. For jewellery or art, valuation reports are valuable. For electronics, a serial number from a backup or in an email from the manufacturer may suffice. We help reconstruct what can be demonstrated.

Will I receive actual cash value or replacement value?

That depends on your policy and on the type of item. Contents policies usually apply replacement value for goods below a certain age, and actual cash value thereafter. For jewellery, art and antiques a separate regime often applies — and with sub-limits for individual items, disputes quickly become substantial. We test whether the valuation applied is consistent with your policy.

My insurer says the locks did not meet the requirements. What now?

Insurers regularly rely on specific locking or security requirements (for example SKG cylinders, certification, or an alarm system). The question is then: was that requirement clearly set out in the policy, was the requirement reasonable, and is there a direct connection between the deviation and the burglary? A breach of a security requirement does not automatically rule out any payment — a court will test the causal link.

How long do I have to report the damage?

Many policies require notification 'as soon as possible' after discovery — often within 24 or 48 hours for theft. Late notification is one of the standard reasons for refusal. Call us immediately after filing your police report; we will guide you through the notification.

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