My home was broken into — what do I do first, and who do I contact?
Do not touch anything until the police have been — fingerprints and traces matter. Report to Police / gendarmerie — plainte en ligne THESEE (service-public.fr) immediately; they come to the scene for a burglary, and the report number is the key to the insurance claim. Then call Médiation de l'Assurance (mediation-assurance.org) — your contents insurer — within their deadline (often 24–72 hours), with a first list of what is missing. Cards, phones, documents stolen? Block them the same hour (see the card and device pages). France Victimes — 116 006 (116 006) helps with the shock and the practical side; a burglary is not "just property".
🗣️ What to say
"My home at [address] was broken into between [time] and [time] on [date]. Entry through [door/window]. Missing so far: [items]. I have not touched anything. Please send someone and give me the case number for my insurer."
🪜 Step by step
- Out, then policeIf you think someone is still inside, leave and call from outside. Otherwise call from the door without walking through.
- Do not tidyPhotograph everything as it is, before the police and before you touch it.
- List what is missingStart now, keep adding for days. Serial numbers, photos, receipts, the app history of devices.
- Insurer within the deadlineReport, then send the list and the police number. Emergency repairs to the door are usually covered — keep invoices.
- Block and changeCards, phone, keys (change the locks if keys were taken), passwords on any device stolen.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
The police will not come
For a burglary they should; insist, or file online and ask for a scene visit. Without a report there is no insurance claim.
No insurance — what now?
Victim compensation funds cover violent crime rather than property in most countries, but France Victimes — 116 006 knows the exceptions and emergency help.
I am a tenant — who pays the door?
The landlord repairs the building (door, window); your contents insurance covers your things. Tell the landlord the same day in writing.
📎 Sources
- Police / gendarmerie — plainte en ligne THESEE →
- Médiation de l'Assurance →
- France Victimes — 116 006 →
- Mairie — police municipale / services techniques →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “burglary what to do first France”
- “report break in police France”
- “burglary insurance claim deadline”
- “home broken into tenant landlord door”
- “victim support burglary”
🧭 Is this still correct?
We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.
⚠️ Readers report that something here may have changed — we are checking it.
✅ Thank you — this keeps the page up to date for everyone.