Immediately
- Leave if you think someone is inside and call 911.
- Do not touch anything until police have looked.
Document
- Photograph the damage.
- List what was taken.
- Keep the police report number for your insurer.
Secure the home
- Have the door made secure, even temporarily.
- Rekey if keys were taken.
- Ask about frame reinforcement.
Follow-up
- Contact your insurer.
- Consider lighting and other deterrents.
Making the door safe again
Ask the technician to check the strike, jamb, hinges and door edge as well as the lock. A cracked frame can fail on the next attempt even if the lock looks fine. A temporary reinforcement or board-up can hold overnight, and a written scope shows what will be done permanently.
Talking to your insurer
Keep the police report number, photographs taken before repairs, the technician's itemised estimate and the invoice. Ask the technician to describe the damage and the repair in plain words. Send the insurer copies and keep the originals in a folder.
Deciding about keys
If keys were taken or the lock was tampered with, rekeying or replacing the cylinders is sensible. Reset garage opener codes and alarm codes too. Review windows and side doors, where intruders often try next. See our rekey or replace guide.
What to do that night
If you cannot get a repair the same evening, ask about a temporary reinforcement and a plan for the morning. Do not sleep in a house whose front door cannot be secured if you have somewhere safe to stay. Tell a neighbour, keep the police report number by the phone and leave photographs on your phone before any cleaning. The next day, book the permanent repair and call your insurer with the paperwork.
Need a locksmith? See our emergency locksmith and pricing and process pages.