Coming home to a forced door is one of the most unsettling things that can happen to a city resident. The shock makes it hard to think clearly, and the decisions made in the first few hours affect everything that follows, from the police investigation to the insurance claim. Here is a calm, practical order of operations.
1. Do Not Go Inside Straight Away
If the door has clearly been forced and you are not sure whether the intruder has left, stay outside and call 17, the police emergency number in France. It is not worth the risk. Once you do go in, try not to touch, tidy or move anything. Fingerprints and other traces can matter.
2. File a Police Report
A formal complaint, the dépôt de plainte, is required by insurers and is the starting point of any investigation. In Paris, it is filed at a commissariat of the National Police. You can also start with an online pre-complaint (pré-plainte en ligne) to save time, then finalise it in person. Bring identification and, if possible, a first list of what has been taken. Ask for a copy of the report, because you will need it.
3. Secure the Door Immediately
A forced door cannot be left as it is overnight. The frame may be split, the cylinder broken or pulled out, and the lock no longer engaging. This is where a reliable serrurier urgence service becomes essential. A professional will first carry out a mise en sécurité, a temporary closure that makes the apartment safe for the night, and then quote for the permanent repair or replacement.
Two pieces of advice here. First, check whether your home insurance includes an assistance service that sends an approved locksmith, as many contracts do. Second, photograph the damage before the technician starts and keep every invoice, because the insurer will ask for evidence.
4. Notify Your Insurer Quickly
French insurance rules generally give you two working days after discovering a burglary to declare it to your insurer. Do it as early as possible, by phone and then in writing. Provide the police report number, photographs of the damage, and a preliminary list of stolen items. Receipts, bank statements, warranty cards and photos of valuables all help to prove ownership and value.
5. Cancel and Protect
If bank cards, chequebooks or identity documents were taken, block the cards with your bank immediately and report the stolen documents. If keys were taken, including mailbox keys, car keys or the keys to a relative’s home, those locks need changing too. A burglar who took your keys along with your address has everything needed to come back.
6. Find the Weak Point
Once the emergency is over, look at how the intruder got in. Was it a weak cylinder that was snapped? A door that was simply pushed in because the frame was old? A window on a low floor? The answer tells you where to invest. Common upgrades in Paris include a certified cylinder, a multipoint lock, a reinforced strike plate, or an armoured door for ground-floor apartments.
7. Take Care of Yourself
A burglary is not only a material loss. Many people feel uneasy at home for weeks afterwards. Talking about it with people you trust, changing the locks and improving security all help to restore a sense of control. You do not have to handle every step alone, and you should not feel embarrassed to ask for help.
