A break-in leaves you with two jobs at once: the police want to know what was taken, and so does your insurer. Both need the same thing, a clear list with proof behind it. Here is how to build it.
What goes on a stolen items list?
List every stolen item with a description, brand and model, serial number if you have it, when you bought it, what you paid, and one piece of proof, then give the same list to the police and your insurer.
| Item | Description | Brand and model | Serial | Purchase date | Price paid | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laptop | 13 inch, silver, black sleeve | Apple MacBook Air | C02XXXXXXX (from the box) | March 2024 | $1,099 | Order email |
| Road bike | Blue frame, flat pedals | Trek FX 2 | WTU000000 (from the shop receipt) | May 2023 | $850 | Shop receipt photo |
| Engagement ring | Yellow gold, one stone | Local jeweler | None | June 2019 | $2,400 | Appraisal PDF |
| Cordless drill kit | Drill, two batteries, case | DeWalt 20V | None | 2022 | Not sure | Garage photo with the case on the shelf |
Blank cells are fine. "Not sure" beats a guess, and you can add proof as you find it.
The first 24 hours after a break-in
- Call the police and file a report. Write down the report number.
- Call your insurer or agent and open the claim.
- Before you tidy up, photograph the entry point and the empty spots: the bare desk, the open drawer, the hook where the bike hung.
The Nevada Division of Insurance gives the same order: file a police report, itemize everything that is missing, then call your insurer once you have the report number (checked October 14, 2026). Your state and your policy may add steps, so read your policy too.
Rebuild the list from memory
Walk the house room by room, then drawer by drawer. Open every closet. Stand where the thing used to be and ask what else lived there. Check the usual targets: laptops, phones, tablets, cameras, jewelry, watches, tools, bikes, cash and cards, and medications. Don't forget the car, the garage and any storage unit.
Write it down as you go, even half remembered. You can fill in brands and prices later.
Where to find proof you owned it
- Order history and confirmation emails. Search your inbox for the store name.
- Card and bank statements.
- Your camera roll. The item often shows up in the background of a birthday photo.
- Warranty registrations and manufacturer accounts.
- Manuals, appraisals and the original boxes in the garage.
For phones, laptops and TVs, see documenting electronics.
Serial numbers
Serial numbers are how the police match recovered property to a report. Look on the original box, the receipt or invoice, the manufacturer account, and for phones and laptops, the account the device was signed into. If you can't find one, say so on the list.
Prices, replacement cost and depreciation
Price paid is what you spent. Replacement cost is what the same item costs new today. Depreciation is the value an item loses with age and wear. Policies differ on which of these they pay, so ask your adjuster how your policy values a claim before you argue about numbers.
Keeping the list in one place
A list spread across a notebook, a phone note and three email threads is hard to hand over. In Vorby, each item keeps its own receipts and manuals as photos or PDFs, and you can open or share them from the item. Forward an order confirmation email to your private Vorby address and it creates the item with the price, date and receipt attached. When the adjuster asks, export your list as CSV or Excel, or send a read-only link.
Vorby can also suggest an estimated value from an item's photo, with a confidence level. Treat it as an estimate, not what your insurer will pay.
Before the next one
- Photograph each room, closets and drawers open.
- Attach receipts to the item when you buy it.
- Note serial numbers for anything worth stealing.
For the wider picture, read home inventory for insurance claims and the photos a claim needs.
Next time, the list already exists. Photograph each room in Vorby and keep the receipts on the item.
Get Vorby on the App Store or start your inventory on the web. Vorby is free to start; paid plans are $7 a month or $60 a year, with a 14-day trial.
FAQ
How do I prove what I owned after a theft?
Gather every kind of proof you can: receipts, order confirmation emails, card or bank statements, photos where the item shows up in the background, serial numbers, manuals and original boxes. Several weaker proofs together help when one strong proof is missing.
What should a stolen items list include?
For each item: a description, brand and model, serial number if you have it, when you bought it, what you paid, and at least one piece of proof. Give the same list to the police and your insurer.
Do I need a police report for an insurance theft claim?
Check your own policy, but plan on it. The Nevada Division of Insurance, for example, tells theft victims to file a police report first and call the insurer once they have the report number.
What if I don't have receipts for stolen items?
Use what you do have: photos, statements, order emails and the manufacturer account. Describe the item in as much detail as you can, and ask the adjuster what proof they accept.
