What to do if You’ve been Burgled. The Burglary Checklist

It is hard to be a victim of burglary. Harder still to have a clear enough mind to work out what to do next. There is a lot to think about and organize, from the police and the insurance down to protecting the home to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

To help you get your mind around the matter and concentrate on the important things, we have made a checklist; The Burglary Checklist. This list will help you to do all you need to accomplish after you’ve been burgled.

  • Step 1. Call the Police

There are a few reasons to call the police.

Firstly, if there is a burglary in progress at your home, they are the people with the training to deal with the situation safely.

Secondly, most insurance companies require a police report in this situation.

And finally, letting the police know will also alert them to the dangers of burglary in the area. This will make them better prepared to respond to any other local burglaries with the same MO giving them valuable clues to help them catch the person or persons behind it.

If the burglary isn’t ongoing at the time of realizing you are a victim of crime call your local non-emergency number for the police. In Miami, the number for the non-emergency burglary department is (305) 603-6030.

  • Step 2. Take Photos of the Burglary

These will help support your home insurance claim. It will also keep you occupied while you wait for the police. Quite often, after a burglary, you can get the urge to clean the home. But in doing so, you will be removing all the evidence of the burglary. Always, wait until after the police have been to put your home back to rights.

Take photos of:

  • Broken windows, doors, or locks.
  • Areas of the home where things have been disturbed (for example a cupboard where you kept valuables).
  • Empty spaces where stolen items once stood. (The TV stand for example).

It is important to get the photos in before you cause too much disturbance to the scene.

  • Step 3. Cancel Stolen Cards

If you had cards in the home that are now missing, get in touch with the companies and cancel them. Do the same for cards you cannot find, they may still be in the house somewhere but it can save you a lot of time and stress by simply cancelling them. It is a simple thing to get a new card, not such a simple thing to recover lost funds.

On a similar note, if you had a phone in the house that is missing contact the phone company to cancel that too. You may also need to change any passwords to online companies if you had them stored on your phone or laptop.

  • Step 4. Take Steps to Secure your Home

Contact your locksmith services to secure your home. You can arrange to replace all the locks yourself, but for a job done efficiently and quickly in a way that will allow you to focus on other things a trusted locksmith is the way to go.

A locksmith service can replace locks, fix locks, or rekey locks. They will also secure your home to keep it safe until necessary repairs can be made, board up a broken window for example.

  • Step 5. Take Stock of the Burglary

You will have started to do this while taking photographs. Now it is time to get the information on paper. Write down everything that you know is missing and begin compiling evidence for the insurance companies.

Take a TV for example. Evidence of the tv missing would be the photo showing the space it once stood, receipts of purchase, a tv warranty, and recent photos where you can see the tv in the picture. Also, if you have had something valued, the valuation can help serve as evidence.

  • Step 6. Inform Your Insurance about the Burglary

By now you will have a reference number from the police along with evidence of the situation. Your locksmith will be securing your home and you will know where you stand with what has been taken and what hasn’t. It is time to let your insurance know what is happening.

Top Burglary Guide Tip

Look at locksmiths before an issue arises. Getting to know your local locksmiths can take a lot of stress out of the situation. A dedicated locksmith can make the whole situation run smoother.

Having a dedicated locksmith may sound like something only businesses need, however, consider the benefits.

 

  • You already have a locksmith you can trust in an emergency and do not need to face the stress of researching and hiring a stranger to fix your locks.
  • Your locksmith may already know your home and security needs.
  • Your locksmith is a simple phone call away.

Having all your locksmith preparation done before there is an incident can go a long way to reducing your stress in the event of an emergency.

A Trusted Locksmith in Miami

At Quickly Locksmith in Miami, we have a team of experts available to help you with your commercial and residential security issues 24/7. From rekeying your locks to installing Access Control Systems, all the work we complete for you is fully warranted for a minimum of 12 months. Call us at (305) 984-9922 or contact us through our contact us page to find out how we can provide you with the best locksmith services.

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About the author
David Davidof is the founder & owner of Quickly Locksmith. The business has grown from strength to strength to become Miami’s go-to provider for Locksmith and Security services. Whilst the company has grown, the founding ethos has remained the same - Helping people in emergency situations and giving them the feeling they are safe.
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Customer satisfaction has always been at the heart of our work. Our reviews reflect the dedication, expertise, and reliability we bring to every job.

Tanya Smith

Tanya Smith

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Needed new keys made and couldn’t believe how quick and professional Adir was!!! He came within 5 minutes of my call, made 3 keys, cleaned up, and I was done within 10 minutes!!! He was very professional too. Absolutely blown away and great value too.

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Steph Peñaherrera

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I had an outstanding experience with Quickly Locksmith From the moment I walked in, they were professional, fast, extremely helpful, and got the job done quickly without any hassle. It’s rare to find a company in Miami that is this reliable and honest.

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They did a fantastic job! I used them for both my previous apartment and my current one and highly recommend them. Great customer service and they stand by their work. Natalie is wonderful!

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    Our Tips For Getting The Best Locksmith Services In Miami FL:

    We truly care about your security. Keeping you, your family and your most valuable possessions safe is why we are in business. However, whenever you are looking to hire professional services from a locksmith in Miami, here are some valuable tips to make the right choice.

    FAQ

    HOW DO I KNOW WHETHER MY MIAMI LOCKSMITH IS CERTIFIED?
    In Miami-Dade County, licensed locksmiths are issued an official Locksmith ID card after completing the required application process and passing background checks. By law, they must carry and display this card at all times while providing locksmith services, regardless of the location. Always request to see it before any work begins to ensure you’re hiring a certified professional.
    HOW LONG WILL A LOCKSMITH TAKE TO ARRIVE?
    Our team aims to arrive at your exact location within 15 minutes. This rapid response time helps ensure you’re back inside your home, car, or business as quickly and safely as possible.
    WHAT DOES A CERTIFICATION GUARANTEE?
    Hiring a certified Miami locksmith means your service is backed by a full warranty — covering your locks, your property (including doors, hallways, and related areas), and your personal safety. If any issues occur during the job, you hold zero liability, and your locks and security systems are 100% insured for complete peace of mind.
    CAN A MIAMI LOCKSMITH OPEN ALL LOCKS?
    With the right tools and years of experience, a professional locksmith can open almost any lock without causing damage. In rare cases where unlocking isn’t possible, the lock can be safely replaced. Either way, your property and valuables will remain fully secure.
    CAN AN AUTO LOCKSMITH CREATE A SPARE KEY AT MY LOCATION?
    Yes. If you’re locked out or need a spare key, Our mobile unit will come directly to your location. Our technicians can create and program a replacement car key on the spot, saving you the hassle of arranging transportation to a locksmith shop.
    DO I NEED THE ORIGINAL KEY TO MAKE A KEY COPY?
    Not necessarily. If your original key is lost or damaged, a certified Miami locksmith can use a code cutter to read the lock’s unique key code and determine the correct groove depths. This precise information allows us to create a brand-new key without needing the original.
    ARE YOU AVAILABLE 24/7 FOR EMERGENCIES?
    Yes. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including nights, weekends, and holidays. No matter when you’re locked out or facing a security issue, our team is ready to respond immediately.
    HOW MUCH DOES A LOCKSMITH SERVICE COST IN MIAMI?
    Costs depend on the service type, lock complexity, and time of day. We provide upfront, transparent quotes before starting any job, so there are no hidden fees or surprises. Emergency services may have additional charges for after-hours calls.
    CAN YOU REKEY LOCKS INSTEAD OF REPLACING THEM?
    Yes. Rekeying allows you to keep your existing locks while changing the internal pins so old keys no longer work. It’s a cost-effective security upgrade often used after moving, losing keys, or changing tenants or employees.
    DO YOU INSTALL SMART LOCKS AND HIGH-SECURITY SYSTEMS?
    Absolutely. We install a wide range of smart locks, high-security deadbolts, and advanced access control systems for homes, businesses, and vehicles. Our experts can recommend the best solution based on your security needs and budget.
    CAN YOU MAKE KEYS FOR HIGH-SECURITY OR RESTRICTED LOCKS?
    Yes. We have the tools and authorization to cut and program keys for many high-security and restricted lock systems. Some models require proof of ownership or manufacturer authorization, which we’ll guide you through before starting the work.
    WHAT AREAS OF MIAMI DO YOU SERVICE?
    We cover all of Miami-Dade County, including Downtown Miami, Wynwood, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Aventura, Kendall, and surrounding neighborhoods. Our mobile units allow us to reach you quickly anywhere in the area.
    CAN YOU HELP WITH BROKEN KEYS STUCK IN LOCKS?
    Yes. Our locksmiths use specialized extraction tools to remove broken keys without damaging the lock. If necessary, we can also cut you a new key or rekey the lock during the same visit.
    DO YOU OFFER COMMERCIAL LOCKSMITH SERVICES?
    Absolutely. We provide a full range of commercial services, including master key systems, high-security locks, access control, panic bars, and storefront door repair. We work with offices, retail stores, warehouses, and property managers across Miami.
    HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY HOME OR BUSINESS SECURITY?
    We recommend starting with a security audit to identify vulnerabilities. This may include upgrading to high-security locks, adding deadbolts, installing smart locks, reinforcing entry doors, and securing windows. We provide tailored recommendations based on your property and budget.
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