What Are Burglars Looking for When They Rob Your House?
By USDR
There’s an old saying that theft is only 10 percent intention, 90 percent opportunity. When it comes to someone breaking into your home, those percentages shift a little. Most break-ins that take place in a private residence are planned. The ‘smash-and-grab’ variety is seen more commonly with cars. A burglar entering a home is taking on a lot of risk and they know what they’re looking for.
What are the most common things taken from a home after a break-in? The most obvious answers are cash and electronics. Cash can’t be traced. And even electronics that the homeowner might consider to be old or obsolete, are probably worth enough to make their house a target.
Even more commonly stolen than electronics are prescription drugs. Prescriptions are second only to cash when it comes to in-home theft. Sadly, since older people often have a lot of medications at home, they are targeted by strangers as well as people they know. Prescriptions can be sold after they’ve been stolen (if they’re not simply taken), and like cash, it’s impossible to trace.
Of course, after the medicine cabinet and the TV room, a burglar is likely to take a peek inside the jewelry box. Jewelry tends to be smaller so it’s easy to slip into a pocket; unlike a new flat screen in the den. Insurance companies and law enforcement recommend using a diversion safe to keep jewelry safe and out of sight. Fortunately, many people insure their most expensive jewelry and keep photos on hand. This makes precious pieces easier to find if resold online or at a pawn shop. Or, at the very least, easier for insurers to reimburse the value.
Speaking of pawn shops… Thieves can try to pawn the things they steal. While some pawn shops may be lax in their standards, the majority of them are run by people who interact daily with law enforcement and keep an eye out for interactions that seem suspicious. This is, after all, their business and livelihood and it behooves them to keep it above board and trustworthy.
Then again, it’s better to never let things get this far. Take a moment to review your home security features to better protect your belongings.
Did you know having certain safety features in your home can help lower your insurance? Compare homeowners insurance quotes between someone with a security system and someone without. Insurance companies recommend security systems for lower rates as well as peace of mind. Of course, there is one kind of security system that can not only raise your insurance, it can also make you a target: firearms.
While breaking into a house where the owner has guns probably sounds pretty wild to the logical person, firearms are high on the list of items stolen during robberies. Legally owned firearms come with a lot of red tape and responsibility so when they’re stolen, they can be traced. Stolen firearms have to be tampered with such as by scratching off the serial number or changing its color to disguise it. A responsible gun owner will report a theft of a firearm right away to make sure that the police know they are no longer in possession of something so powerful.
No one can predict if their home is going to be a target just like no one can predict if they’re going to get into an accident. The only thing to do is to take the necessary precautions. Be smart about your valuables, and make sure you’ve got solid homeowners insurance. It’s not just about covering costs. It’s about peace of mind in your own home, and we all know that’s priceless.
