URGENT....need advice if anyone has any

They say that God won't give you anything you can't handle. I must be the designated tester for that premise.

My daughter came home from school at 12:45 on Friday afternoon, and found that we had been robbed.

The perp(s) broke out the back window and the side door. They took with them:

2 Desktop computers, 2 flat panel monitors
1 Laptop computer
2 Digital cameras
1 Digital camera dock
1 Cellphone
1 Playstation 2
1 Wii
1 Playstation Portable
1 Electric Guitar
1 Casio electronic keyboard
All of our DVDs, and games to the game systems listed above

When they came into the window, they broke the antique china baby plates that had belonged to my Dad, as well as the Ronald Reagan Eagles that I got from him after he passed. These were on a shelf by the window.

They literally ransacked the house. Even threw around couch cushions and pulled drawers open and went through them.

My daughter slept in my room with me last night. She doesn't want to sleep in her bed, because they ransacked it. She said she doesn't want to touch anything they touched. She's very emotionally traumatized.

I've never been through this before. Has anyone else? Do you have any advise on filing my claim with insurance? I don't know how this works, and I'm a little overwhelmed, and don't want to make any mistakes.

 

Oh my gosh!!! I am so sorry to hear that happened. Thankful that no one got hurt. Wish I could offer some advice. Hopefully they will catch whoever did this. Take care.

 

Sorry to hear about this violation. I only experienced it once but the idiots were caught in the act so we did not have to deal with insurance.

 

Oh Mags!!!! :grouphug:

Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you or your family.

I've been there before.

 

Can you tell me how the insurance claim process works? Do I have to have proof of purchase for such big-ticket items? Some I have...some I don't.

Do they typically replace at replacement value or market value for the age of the item?

 

I went thru this in Oklahoma and they do depreciate the value of the items, if I am remembering correctly. My laptop and digital camera and camera dock were taken along with some clothes in a clothes basket which I think they used to conceal the items in. Anyway, after the cops got their report, I called my insurance which was State Farm and I had to fill out some paperwork and then they will send you a check for the value of the items.

I'm really sorry this happened to you! I know how unnerving it is and will be for a while. Good luck!

 

Mags, I am not an insurance agent, you need to call your agent and let him/her know what happened

When I was broken into 15 years ago I didn't file a claim because my deductabile was more that what was stolen. I KNEW who it was at the time ( my X fiancee ) Your situation is completely different than mine was, you had more items stolen.

As someone who has been violated, I feel VERY bad for you and your daughter.

 

Have you already contacted the police? I am not an insurance specialist but my thinking is that with what you listed on here you should try to remember dates of purchase and dollar amounts. All of that will need to be provided to the police as well. Do you have any serial numbers written down? If not, do you still have the box some came in?

Sentimental items will be more difficult to put a price tag on. Ask the police if they will contact pawn shops or should you. Have you taken pictures of people around different areas of the house? If so pull them out and see if any missing items are in the background. That should help with locating and insurance.

I suggest both you and your daughter find a counselor fast. You and I know that feeling secure in ones house is about all we have in todays world. Have someone install new locks just in case. That should help reassure your daughter a little.

Please PM me if you need to think things through or talk and I will give you my cell. Is your medication still intact? Make sure you are physically okay so don't forget to take it.

I have never had this happen but my dad taught me much. Comfort and security go a long way with your children.

Please don't hesitate to ask for help. If you two need anything we will be glad to share. I cannot remember the list at the moment but we have a television you guys could borrow until insurance kicks in. We also have other items so please let me know.

My thoughts are with you, Mag,
Sherry

 

Absolutely correct on depreciating items. If Mag has the boxes some came in with serial numbers and all that will help.

Sherry

 

Did you have that cell phone turned off by the company? If not, whomever you use might just find that someone has used it. I'd leave it on for a short time to see if the stupid thieves use it so that you have a clue as to where they are or who they might call.

Scumbags.....did anyone living near you see anything?

Sherry

 

It depends on your policy. I think most newer policies trend to be replacement value, but there can be exceptions. You will need a police report for the claim. Your agent should be able to walk you through the process your carrier employs. It is like car insurance, each company operates slightly different from the rest.

I know you are shocked now and feel violated and you will later feel anger, but crimes like this are rarely personal and are just of opportunity. You might wish to talk to someone about an alarm system as any noise tends to limit the damge to the initial break in.

 

Also, if the cell phone is newer it may have a GPS chip that would be helpful in locating it and the crooks.

 

I don't have any advice about insurance/police end of it, but I do on the daughter end of it.

What helped me the most after my parent's were robbed when I was in HS was a "redecoration" of the room. I just sat in the floor of my room sobbing and felt so violated that people would be so mean and so cruel that they would break my little piggy bank and destroy my room.

I actually prayed for the people who did this and afterwards we carefully put everything back that was there. Then we redecorated with new beddings and cleaned everything from top to bottom with Pledge/Windex. Made me feel like the man wasn't there anymore and it just made me feel tons better.

Small thing like that might feel your daughter less violated.

 

I'm so sorry this has happened to you! Why are people so evil? It makes me sick. Unfortunately I don't have any advice about the insurance aspect of it, even if someone robbed me there would be no value in what they took. Do you remember if you have any receipts to any of the things that were stolen? Again, I am really sorry about this. I'm sending thoughts and prayers your way. If you need anything, please let me know.

 

Mags, no advice here either, but please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

Mags,

Sorry you guys are going though this. Hope they catch and fry the perps.

Police Report is a must. Insurance company will almost certainly require it. The more info you can provide, the better.

As for depreciation, it'll probably happen. But, you may be able to offset some of the loss that is not covered by insurance on your taxes. Check with a tax professional for sure.

And, I may have missed it, not sure if your place has a security system, but you need to consider one before replacing the high dollar items. Reason being, sometimes the criminal pay a return visit to steal the stuff you replaced.

Harleygirl is an excellent resource for security systems. And, not just for protecting the stuff, having a good alarm system may provide some Peace of Mind for your daughter.

 

So sorry this happened to you. Hopefully they will catch the b******* that did this. I don't know if this helps but one time I had to use my ins to replace items, They didn't need any info they just replaced all the items and sent a check for what couldn't be replaced. One day a Best But truck pulled in my driveway with all my things. Hope this helps.

 

I am so sorry this has happened. I don't know much about the insurance end, but agree you should contact your agent as soon as possible. I was robbed many years ago. The police were convinced it was my ex-husband, but could not prove it. I do remember that I didn't have any proof of purchases, but that did not matter. It also seems that I got replacement value, but as others have pointed out, it really depends on your policy. I had State Farm and my agent was very caring and helpful and walked me through the whole process. Also, I don't know if you have a security alarm, but I had one installed right after my break-in and it really gave me strong peace of mind. You and your daughter are in my prayers. :grouphug:

 

:iagree::iagree:

 

it really does suck that it happened, a police report will be needed. Any snow left to do any tracking??? A call to Harley Girl is needed to provide you with that extra bit of security... Prayers are with you.