Does Home Insurance Cover Break-Ins?

Yes — and theft and burglary are among the most clearly covered perils in any standard Texas homeowners policy. Here is a complete breakdown of what is covered, what is not, and how to file a claim successfully.

Yes — Break-Ins Are a Core Covered Peril

Theft is a named peril under a standard Texas homeowners insurance policy — and break-in coverage applies across multiple sections of your policy simultaneously. Personal property coverage pays to replace stolen belongings, including electronics, furniture, clothing, and appliances. Dwelling coverage pays to repair structural damage caused during the break-in — including shattered windows, kicked-in doors, broken locks, and damaged door frames. Other structures coverage extends protection to detached garages, sheds, and fences damaged during the break-in. All three types of coverage can apply to a single burglary event.

Coverage Beyond Your Home's Four Walls

One of the most valuable and least-known aspects of theft coverage is that it extends beyond your property. Home insurance covers theft even outside your home — whether it is a car break-in where personal items are stolen, a pickpocketing incident, or theft from a hotel room during travel. However, most policies limit off-premises theft coverage to 10% of your total personal property coverage limit or $1,000 — whichever is greater — so high-value items taken away from home may not be fully covered.

High-Value Items Face Sub-Limits

Standard Texas homeowners policies impose specific sublimits on certain categories of high-value property that burglars frequently target. Jewelry, watches, and furs are typically capped at $1,500 for theft — while firearms, silverware, and cash also carry separate sublimits. If you own items that exceed these caps, a scheduled personal property endorsement — also called a floater — provides agreed-value coverage with no sublimit and often no deductible, making it the most effective protection for jewelry, art, and collectibles.

What Texas Homeowners Must Do After a Break-In

Most Texas homeowners policies require a police report as a condition of coverage for theft or burglary — making an immediate call to law enforcement the first and most critical step. Document the scene with photographs and video before anything is moved or cleaned up. Create a detailed written inventory of every stolen item with purchase receipts, photographs, or credit card statements where available. Contact your insurer promptly — Texas law and most policy terms require prompt notice after a loss — and file your claim before any internal reporting deadline your policy may impose. Contact the Texas Department of Insurance if your break-in claim is denied or underpaid.