HIRELOCKSMITHS Verified Network
Emergency Help
Recovery

After a Break-In

Safety first. Secure the door, preserve evidence, and get a documented repair you can hand to insurance.

Call a Verified Locksmith Back to Home

Do this. In this order.

Four simple steps. No jargon, no panic. Walk through them in order and you'll come out fine.

Step 1 — Call 911 first

If the intruder may still be nearby — or you're not sure — call 911 before anyone else. Wait somewhere safe.

Step 2 — Photograph everything

Damaged door, frame, broken hardware, missing items. Take photos before anyone touches anything if you'll file insurance.

Step 3 — Get the door secured

Ask the locksmith for a temporary or permanent solution tonight. A board-up plus replacement deadbolt will hold until full repairs.

Step 4 — Get it on paper

Itemized invoice. Brand and model of replacement hardware. Photos of the work. Hand it all to your insurer.

Phone Script

Copy this. Read it word-for-word.

“My home was broken into. I need [the door secured / the lock replaced / a temporary board-up]. Can you give me an itemized invoice for insurance, and what's your earliest arrival time?”
Hang Up Immediately If…

Instant red flags

  • They refuse to give an itemized receipt.
  • They drill the lock when a same-cylinder swap would have worked.
  • They won't take photos of the finished work.

Read the full scam guide — 9 red flags + a 5-question quiz →

Take a minute: how this actually plays out

A 60-second visual walkthrough of the four steps above — consistent, on-brand, and never blocked by an ad or a 404'd YouTube link.

Quick answers

The questions everyone asks the moment they pick up the phone.

Will my insurance cover this?

Usually yes, under your homeowners or renters policy. Your itemized locksmith invoice is the document the adjuster wants.

Should I just replace, or also rekey other doors?

Rekey every other door too. If the intruder grabbed any keys, every cylinder they fit is now compromised.

After a Break-In — top cities

Vetted recovery locksmiths in the metros where customers most often need this service.

Browse all services in 500+ cities →

Ready to call a verified locksmith?

Every locksmith on HireLocksmiths is background-checked, licensed, and insured. No bait pricing.

Find One Near Me