Home security & break-ins

After a break-in: what to do in the first 24 hours

Coming home to a forced door is disorienting. Here is a calm order of steps, so the things that matter happen first and nothing important gets missed.

By Timmy Creighton, founder and licensed locksmith · Major Key Locksmith · October 2026

1 · Do not go in if they might still be there

If the door is open and you are not sure the house is empty, step back and call 911. Nothing inside is worth walking in on someone.

2 · Call the police and get a report number

Your insurer will almost certainly ask for it. Until the police have been, try not to touch the door, the lock or anything that was moved.

3 · Photograph everything

The door, the frame, the lock, the room, anything broken or missing. Take more photos than you think you need. They are the backbone of an insurance claim and they cost nothing.

4 · Work out what keys left the house

Look for spare keys, garage remotes, car keys and anything with your address on it. If keys are missing, rekeying the house moves from sensible to urgent. See what lost or stolen keys really put at risk.

5 · Get the house secure tonight

A forced door usually damages the frame and the strike as much as the lock. That is the part that has to be put right before the door can lock again. This is the job we do after a break-in: secure the door that night, rekey if keys were taken, and fix the strike and frame so the door actually holds. Details are on our after a break-in page.

6 · Call your insurer

Ask what is covered, including locks, repairs and rekeying. Keep every invoice. Ours are itemised for exactly this reason.

7 · Then look at how they got in

Once the house is secure and you have slept, walk the outside. Most break-ins choose the easy option: an unlit side door, a weak strike, a garage. Motion lights and a camera are inexpensive and work because nobody wants to be seen. Our prevention guide covers the simple changes.

Questions people ask

Should I rekey or replace the locks after a break-in?

If the locks are undamaged and the only issue is keys that were taken, rekeying is enough. If the lock, strike or frame was forced or bent, those parts get replaced.

Can you come the same night?

Often, yes. Call rather than booking online, so we can tell you the earliest time and the after-hours price before anyone is dispatched.

Will insurance pay for new locks?

Many homeowner policies cover damage from a break-in, but every policy is different. Ask your insurer, and keep the police report number and the itemised invoice.

Keep reading

Any price mentioned here is the one published on our pricing page as of October 2026. The final price is always confirmed with you before any work begins. More answers from the blog →