Home Break-In Insurance Claims in Ontario: What to Do After a Burglary

Co-Authored by Michelle Bragg, VP Personal Lines, RIBO Licensed | 

Discovering that your home has been broken into can be frightening and overwhelming. If you suspect a burglary, your first priority should be personal safety. Leave the property if necessary, call police immediately, avoid touching or moving anything inside the home, and begin documenting the damage once authorities have secured the scene.

For Ontario homeowners, tenants, and condo owners, taking prompt and organized action after a break-in can help protect your safety, support a police investigation, and simplify an Ontario home break-in insurance claim process.

This article provides general information about home break-ins and insurance claims in Ontario. Coverage varies by insurer and policy. This information is not intended as legal, financial, or insurance advice. Speak with a licensed insurance professional regarding your specific situation.

What Is a Home Break-In Insurance Claim in Ontario?

A home break-in insurance claim is a claim submitted to your insurance company after a burglary, break and enter, or attempted break-in causes theft or damage to insured property. Depending on your policy, coverage may apply to stolen belongings, damage to doors or windows, temporary living expenses, and certain additional costs related to the incident.

What Should I Do Immediately After Discovering a Break-In?

1. Prioritize Your Safety First

Your safety and the safety of your family members should always come before checking for missing belongings.

Signs of a break-in may include:

• A damaged or forced-open door
• Broken windows
• An activated security alarm
• Items scattered throughout the home
• Unusual noises or signs someone may still be inside

If you notice any of these signs:

• Leave the property immediately if you believe someone could still be inside.
• Move to a safe location, such as a neighbour's home or your vehicle.
• Do not confront a suspected intruder.
• Call 911 if there is an immediate threat.

Even if the intruder has likely left, avoid entering unnecessarily until police have assessed the situation.

2. Why Should You Avoid Touching Anything?

Avoid disturbing the scene until police have completed their initial investigation.

Do not:

• Clean up broken glass
• Reorganize rooms
• Pick up discarded items
• Repair damaged entry points immediately
• Touch items that may contain fingerprints

Preserving evidence may assist law enforcement in identifying suspects.

The Toronto Police Service’s Break & Enter Prevention article recommends immediately reporting your concerns to the police if you believe a break and enter has occurred.

How Do You Report a Home Break-In in Ontario?

Contact your local police service or the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) as soon as you are safe.

When officers arrive, provide as much information as possible, including:

• The approximate time you last saw the property secure
• Any suspicious vehicles or individuals noticed recently
• Security camera footage or doorbell camera recordings
• Information from neighbours who may have witnessed unusual activity

Request and keep:

• The police report number
• The investigating officer's name and badge number
• A copy of the completed report, if available

You will often need this information when submitting a home theft insurance claim.

According to Statistics Canada's Crime Statistics in Canada report, police noted the occurrence of 121,033 breaking and entering incidents across Canada in 2024. The same report noted that the national rate of breaking and entering declined by 11% compared with 2023, demonstrating the importance of continuing crime prevention efforts.

What Damage and Losses Should You Document?

Once police indicate that it is safe to enter, carefully document everything.

Create a Detailed Inventory

Make a written inventory of:

• Stolen items
• Damaged belongings
• Structural damage to the property

Commonly stolen items include:

• Laptops and tablets
• Smartphones
• Gaming systems
• Jewellery and watches
• Cash
• Prescription medications
• Personal identification documents
• Firearms stored on the premises
• Family heirlooms

For each missing item, record:

• Description
• Brand and model number
• Approximate purchase date
• Estimated replacement cost
• Serial numbers, if available

Take Photos and Videos

Photograph:

• Damaged doors and windows
• Broken locks
• Ransacked rooms
• Missing electronics setups
• Exterior damage
• Any visible evidence left behind
• Video documentation can also support your claim.

If you later discover additional missing property, update both the police report and your insurer.

Does Home Insurance Cover Break-Ins in Ontario?

According to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s (FCAC) documentation on home insurance, most standard homeowner, condo, and tenant insurance policies in Ontario include some level of home insurance break-in coverage.

Coverage may include:

Theft of Personal Belongings

Policies often cover stolen personal property, subject to policy limits, exclusions, and deductibles.

Examples include:

• Furniture
• Clothing
• Electronics
• Appliances
• Sporting equipment

Damage Caused During the Break-In

Insurance may cover damage resulting from forced entry, including:

• Broken doors
• Damaged locks
• Broken windows
• Damaged walls or cabinetry

Additional Living Expenses

If the home becomes temporarily uninhabitable because of insured damage, some policies may reimburse reasonable additional living expenses, such as hotel accommodations and meals.

Are There Coverage Limits for High-Value Items?

Yes.

Many policies contain special limits for certain categories of property, such as:

• Jewellery
• Fine art
• Collectibles
• Cash
• Coins
• Furs
• Bicycles

If these items exceed standard limits, additional endorsements or scheduled coverage may be required.

Review your policy carefully to understand applicable limits and exclusions.

How Do You File a Home Theft Insurance Claim?

Contact your insurance company or broker as soon as reasonably possible after the incident.

To begin a home theft insurance claim, you will typically need:

• Your policy number
• The police report number
• A list of stolen items
• Photographs or videos
• Receipts, appraisals, or ownership documentation
• Estimates for property repairs, if available

Your insurer may assign an adjuster to:

• Review the circumstances of the loss.
• Confirm coverage under the policy.
• Assess property damage.
• Request additional documentation.
• Determine eligible reimbursement amounts.

Keep copies of all correspondence, invoices, receipts, and claim documentation.

What If Identification Documents Were Stolen?

Identity theft can occur following a burglary.

If personal information or identification was stolen, consider taking these additional steps:

• Contact your financial institutions immediately.
• Cancel and replace debit and credit cards.
• Notify Service Canada if a passport was stolen.
• Replace driver's licences or Ontario photo cards through ServiceOntario.
• Change passwords for email, banking, and smart-home accounts.
• Monitor financial statements closely.
• Contact Canada's credit bureaus to place fraud alerts on your file.

According to Statistics Canada's Crime Statistics in Canada report, the national rate of identity fraud increased by 2% in 2024, highlighting the importance of securing personal information after a break-in.

How Can You Secure Your Home After a Burglary?

After police complete their investigation, restoring security can help provide peace of mind.

Consider:

• Replacing damaged locks immediately
• Rekeying exterior locks
• Boarding broken windows
• Repairing damaged doors
• Resetting smart lock credentials
• Changing alarm system codes
• Updating Wi-Fi passwords
• Reviewing who has access to spare keys

Some families also choose to review or upgrade security measures after an incident.

How Can You Reduce the Risk of Future Break-Ins?

Although no security measure can eliminate risk entirely, several steps may help improve home security.

Install or Upgrade a Security System

Monitored alarm systems, cameras, and video doorbells may help deter intruders and provide evidence if an incident occurs.

Improve Exterior Lighting

Motion-activated lighting around entrances, garages, and side yards can reduce dark hiding areas.

Reinforce Entry Points

Consider:

• Deadbolt locks
• Reinforced strike plates
• Security film for windows
• Solid-core exterior doors

Maintain the Appearance of Occupancy

When travelling:

• Use automatic light timers.
• Arrange for mail collection.
• Ask someone to clear snow or mow the lawn.
• Avoid posting vacation details on social media until returning home.

Should You Review Your Insurance Coverage After a Break-In?

Yes.

A burglary often highlights gaps that may not have been obvious previously.

Following a claim, consider reviewing:

• Personal property limits
• Jewellery and valuables coverage
• Deductible amounts
• Additional living expense coverage
• Sewer backup and water damage protection
• Identity theft endorsements

You may also wish to review your coverage with a licensed broker to ensure it continues to reflect your household's needs. Request a quote with BIG to set the process in motion. Likewise, learning more about home insurance can aid families in discovering what insurance they need. Consider reviewing our helpful online resources on home insurance for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does home insurance cover stolen items after a break-in in Ontario?

Most home, condo, and tenant insurance policies in Ontario provide coverage for stolen personal belongings, subject to policy limits, exclusions, and deductibles.

Do I need a police report for a home theft insurance claim?

Yes. Insurers commonly require a police report number when processing a home theft insurance claim following a burglary or break and enter.

How quickly should I report a burglary to my insurer?

You should notify your insurer as soon as reasonably possible after discovering the break-in and ensuring everyone is safe.

Are cash and jewellery fully covered after a burglary?

Not always. Many policies apply special limits to cash, jewellery, collectibles, and other high-value property unless additional coverage has been purchased.

Will insurance pay for damaged doors and windows after a break-in?

Home insurance policies often cover damage caused by forced entry, including damaged doors, locks, and windows, when the loss is covered under the policy.

Can tenant insurance cover stolen belongings after a break-in?

Yes. Tenant insurance generally covers insured personal belongings stolen during a break-in, subject to the terms and limits of the policy.

Blog Updated: September 2026