Burglary & Theft Claims

Experienced representation for property owners with burglary insurance disputes

Overview

Being the victim of a burglary is a deeply unsettling experience. Beyond the financial loss of stolen property and the cost of repairing break-in damage, burglary leaves property owners feeling violated and vulnerable in their own homes or businesses. In Los Angeles—where property crime rates remain elevated in neighborhoods from the San Fernando Valley to South LA to the Westside—burglary and theft claims are among the most common types of insurance disputes we handle.

At Keosian Law LLP, our burglary claims attorneys provide compassionate, aggressive representation for homeowners, renters, and business owners whose theft and break-in insurance claims have been denied, delayed, or underpaid. Insurance companies frequently challenge burglary claims by questioning the value of stolen items, disputing whether items were actually stolen, or raising suspicion of fraud—even against legitimate policyholders with valid claims.

Our experienced legal team understands the emotional and financial toll of burglary and the frustration of dealing with an uncooperative insurance company. We handle every aspect of your claim—from documenting stolen property and structural damage to negotiating with adjusters and, if necessary, litigating in court—so you can focus on recovering and restoring your sense of security.

What Burglary Insurance Covers

Understanding your coverage is the first step to maximizing your burglary claim recovery:

• Stolen Personal Property: Your policy covers the value of items stolen from your home, subject to overall policy limits. Replacement cost policies pay to replace items with new equivalents; actual cash value policies deduct depreciation.
• Property Damage from Forced Entry: Broken doors, smashed windows, damaged locks, and other structural damage caused by the burglar's entry and exit are covered under your dwelling coverage.
• Off-Premises Theft: Many homeowners policies extend coverage for personal property stolen from your vehicle, hotel room, or other locations—typically at 10% of your personal property coverage limit.
• Sublimits for High-Value Items: Most policies impose sublimits on categories like jewelry ($1,500–$2,500), cash ($200), firearms ($2,500), and silverware. Items exceeding these limits require scheduled personal property endorsements.
• Additional Living Expenses: If break-in damage renders your home uninhabitable (e.g., destroyed entry door or compromised security), ALE coverage pays for temporary accommodations.
• Security Upgrades: Some policies cover reasonable costs to improve security after a burglary, such as upgraded locks, security systems, or reinforced doors.

Documenting Your Burglary Claim

Thorough documentation is the foundation of a successful burglary claim. Our attorneys help clients compile comprehensive evidence:

• Police Report: File a police report immediately—this is typically required by your insurance policy and serves as official documentation of the crime.
• Stolen Property Inventory: Create a detailed list of every stolen item with descriptions, brand names, model numbers, purchase dates, original costs, and estimated current replacement values.
• Proof of Ownership: Gather receipts, credit card statements, online order confirmations, warranty cards, product registration emails, photographs showing items in your home, and appraisals for high-value items.
• Damage Documentation: Photograph all damage from forced entry including broken doors, windows, locks, and any interior damage or disturbance.
• Security System Records: If you have a security system, obtain alarm logs, camera footage, and event records that corroborate the burglary.

Burglary Claims Process

1. File Police Report: Report the burglary to LAPD or your local law enforcement agency. Obtain a copy of the report and case number for your insurance claim.
2. Secure Your Property: Make emergency repairs to secure entry points and prevent further loss. Your insurer typically covers reasonable emergency repair costs.
3. Notify Your Insurer: Report the claim promptly. Do not provide recorded statements without legal counsel—initial statements can be used to dispute your claim later.
4. Comprehensive Inventory: We help compile a detailed inventory of stolen and damaged property with supporting documentation.
5. Claim Submission and Negotiation: We submit a fully documented claim and negotiate with the insurer, challenging undervaluation, excessive depreciation, and sublimit applications.
6. Examination Under Oath (EUO): If your insurer requests an EUO, our attorneys prepare and represent you, protecting your rights throughout the process.
7. Dispute Resolution: If the insurer denies or underpays your claim, we pursue appraisal, mediation, or bad faith litigation.

Common Burglary Claim Disputes

Insurance companies frequently challenge burglary claims in several ways. Our attorneys are experienced in overcoming these tactics:

• Fraud Allegations: Insurers may imply or allege that the burglary was staged, particularly for large claims. We defend clients against baseless fraud allegations with thorough evidence.
• Undervaluation of Items: Adjusters often assign lower values to stolen items using depreciation schedules that underestimate replacement costs. We counter with current market pricing and replacement cost evidence.
• Sublimit Disputes: Insurers may aggressively apply sublimits to reduce payouts. We analyze policy language to ensure sublimits are correctly applied and argue for broader coverage when policy language supports it.
• Proof of Ownership Challenges: Insurers may demand proof of ownership for every item. We help clients compile alternative evidence when original receipts are unavailable.
• Vacancy Exclusions: Some policies exclude burglary coverage if the property has been vacant for 30–60 days. We challenge improper vacancy determinations.

Why Choose Keosian Law for Burglary Claims

• EUO Defense: We protect clients during examinations under oath and recorded statements, preventing insurers from using your words against you.
• Fraud Investigation Defense: We aggressively challenge baseless fraud allegations and protect legitimate policyholders from wrongful denials.
• Valuation Expertise: We work with appraisers and market pricing experts to establish accurate replacement values for stolen property.
• No Fees or Costs Unless We Recover: No attorney fees or costs unless we recover for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our legal services and processes.

What does homeowners insurance cover after a burglary?

How do I document stolen items for my insurance claim?

What if I don't have receipts for stolen items?

Are there limits on what burglary claims cover?

How does depreciation affect my burglary claim?

What if my insurer suspects fraud in my burglary claim?