Most common items stolen in home burglaries

According to FBI data, nearly 1.2 million residential burglaries occurred in the United States in 2019. Despite the fact that the number of reported burglaries has been steadily decreasing, home thefts continue to cause significant financial losses for unlucky homeowners. According to the FBI, the average monetary loss per residential break-in in 2019 was $2,661.

Your homeowners or renters insurance policy will cover you if a burglar breaks into your home and steals personal items. Every year, approximately one in every 525 insured homes has a theft-related property damage claim. Some personal items, as you might expect, are stolen more frequently than others. In this guide, we'll look at some of the most commonly stolen items during home invasions.

Top 10 items stolen in home invasions/burglaries

You can assume a thief knows what they're looking for if they break into your home. The most expensive items with the highest resale value are usually the prime targets. You might be surprised to learn that less expensive household items, such as medications, are frequently stolen during home invasions. The following are the most common items stolen during home invasions.

  1. Jewelry and watches

In a home invasion, jewelry and watches are two of the most commonly stolen items. Burglars are looking for valuable fine jewelry and watches to steal and resell for a profit. Not only diamonds, but sterling silver jewelry, gold jewelry, and even costume jewelry can be resold for a profit. If you leave jewelry or watches out in plain sight, a thief will take them.

  1. Wallets and cash

If you leave money near the front door or on the kitchen counter, you should probably reconsider. If someone breaks into your home, you can bet they're looking for wallets and purses containing cash and credit cards. Not to mention that burglars can cause significant damage if they obtain your driver's license. If you keep large amounts of cash at home, consider storing it in a locked safe that is difficult to access.

  1. Electronics

Electronics are a popular target for home intruders, so don't think your 60-inch flat-screen TV is safe. A creative burglar can probably find a way to get away with a TV, cellphone, video game system, stereo, or laptop/computer. Many electronics retain their value and can be resold for a significant amount of money on the secondary market. Or the burglar may simply decide to install your brand-new television in their own living room.

  1. Prescription drugs

Prescription drug theft can be extremely profitable for home burglars. Because medications are easily resold on the streets, many home burglars target your bathroom medicine cabinet during a break-in. Some OTC medications may also be stolen during the process. A burglar is unlikely to read the label, so if you keep pain relievers, allergy medication, and even vitamins on hand, a burglar may decide to take them.

  1. Cars and parts

If someone breaks into your house while your car is in the driveway and the keys are accessible, the burglar is likely to drive away with it. Vehicles are a common target during home invasions because they are easy to resell on the private market or use for parts. If the burglar does not want your car, he or she may want a piece of it, such as the catalytic converter, or valuable items stored in the glove box.

  1. Clothes

You may not think your wardrobe is particularly valuable to a home thief, but if you have designer clothes in your closet, that's a potential gold mine for a thief. Thieves may be looking for designer labels, such as shoes, handbags, and accessories, to resell for money. Home burglars are also interested in high-quality items such as leather jackets and furs. If you have young children, the burglar may also search your children's closets.

  1. Furniture

Surprisingly, furniture is frequently stolen during home invasions. Your sectional couch and king bed frame, on the other hand, are probably safe. The majority of furniture thieves target smaller items such as bedside tables, lamps, and even rugs. Patio furniture is another target, especially since those items are much easier to steal. Good-condition furniture can be easily sold to a private buyer or consignment shop.

  1. Bicycles

Bicycles have a high resale value, which is why many burglars will steal one if they find one in your home or garage. Furthermore, the current bike shortage is increasing the resale value of bikes, making the deal even sweeter for bike thieves. As a best practice, keep your bicycles in a secure location, such as a garage or shed. Don't leave them out in the open in your backyard or front yard where they can be easily stolen.

  1. Personal documents

Unfortunately, some thieves may be interested in your personal documents, such as your social security card, password books, and passport. If a burglar obtains these items, they may be able to steal your identity or gain access to your financial accounts. If at all possible, keep these personal documents locked in a safe or stored in a location where a potential burglar would not think to look.

  1. Firearms

Firearms are among the most commonly stolen items during home invasions. An estimated 1.2 million guns were stolen from individual gun owners in the United States between 2012 and 2015. (although this number is not specific to home thefts). Guns have a high resale value and can be sold quickly on the streets. If a burglar has the opportunity, they may try to break into a gun safe or even remove the safe entirely from your home.

Tips on protecting your personal belongings

Even if you take all the necessary precautions, determined intruders can find a way into your home. According to an FBI report, forcible entry was used in more than half of all reported burglaries in 2019. However, there are numerous ways to safeguard your personal belongings in the event of a home burglary. Here are some pointers:

  • Purchase property insurance: Whether you rent or own a home, having property insurance is essential. If your house is broken into, the personal property portion of your renters or homeowners insurance policy will reimburse you for the stolen items up to the policy limits. It's a good idea to shop around and get a few quotes before purchasing a policy to find the most affordable premium for your situation. If you have a lot of valuables, you should think about getting scheduled personal property insurance, which can cover high-value items like expensive jewelry or art.
  • Install a security system: Home security systems can be an excellent line of defense against intruders. Depending on your budget, you can install a professionally monitored system or purchase a less expensive DIY system that you can self-monitor via an app. As an added bonus, many home insurance companies will give you a discount on your policy if you have a home security system.
  • Install motion sensor flood lights: For obvious reasons, many burglars break into homes at night when they can't be seen. Installing motion sensor-activated flood lights around the perimeter of your home can frighten a burglar and force them to flee.
  • Safekeeping valuable items: If you keep valuable items in your home, such as jewelry, art, or firearms, consider storing them in a locked safe. When these items are left out, a burglar can easily stuff them into a bag or pocket and flee.
  • Shred sensitive documents: As a general rule, you should not keep sensitive documents containing personal information visible. When you no longer require a document, whether it's a bill or a credit card pin number, shred it somewhere it can't be found. Remember that burglars may try to obtain sensitive information by going through your trash or recycling bin, so shredding adds an extra layer of security.

The bottom line

Home invasions are uncommon, but every homeowner, regardless of where they live, is at risk. Burglars are interested in anything valuable in your home, such as electronics, designer clothing, firearms, and even furniture. A thief would steal these items if they are easily accessible.

Fortunately, there are numerous methods for preventing your personal items from being stolen during a break-in. Consider using a safe to store valuable items, shredding sensitive documents after use, and ensuring you have renters or home insurance with coverage limits equal to the value of your personal belongings.