After a Break-In: Your Security Reset Guide

Your lock was already bypassed once. The intruder may have made a copy or left a way back in. Do not sleep there until these steps are done.

Do not go back inside alone: Wait for police to clear the scene before entering. Do not touch anything until police have documented the scene for their report. Your safety and your insurance claim both depend on this.

A break-in changes the security calculus completely. A lost key is a theoretical risk. A break-in is proof someone already found a way in. This guide covers the security reset required before the property is safe to occupy again. For the cost and process of rekeying, see the main guide.

The Reset Sequence

What to Do After a Break-In, in Order

1

Wait for Police Clearance

Do not enter until police confirm the property is clear. Call 911 if you discover the break-in in progress or very recently. Do not attempt to confront anyone inside. Your safety is the only priority at this stage.

2

Document Everything Before Touching It

Take photos and video of every damaged point of entry, every room with disturbed contents, every broken lock, every forced window. This documentation is required for the police report and your homeowner's/renter's insurance claim. Do this before cleaning up or moving anything.

3

Identify All Points of Entry

How did they get in? Check every exterior door and window. The obvious entry point (the kicked-in back door) may not be the only compromised point. Intruders sometimes leave a secondary exit unlocked to create an easy return path.

4

Call a Locksmith for Full Rekey or Replacement

Every exterior lock needs to be changed today. Any lock that was defeated or bypassed — even if repaired — should be fully replaced, not just rekeyed. A forced lock may have hidden damage. Cost for a full-property security reset after break-in: $150-$400 depending on lock count and type.

5

Secure Damaged Entry Points

A kicked-in door frame cannot be secured with just a new lock. The frame itself may need repair. A locksmith can advise on a temporary door bar or security plate while the frame is repaired. Windows with broken locks need a secondary block pin or bar until the lock is replaced.

6

Consider a Security Layer Upgrade

After a break-in, a rekey alone is not always sufficient. Consider: reinforcing door frames with strike plate screws (3-inch minimum), adding a video doorbell, upgrading to Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolts, or installing a monitored alarm. These are best evaluated after you have secured the property with a fresh lock set.

Locksmith handing new keys to homeowner after completing post-break-in security reset
Insurance and Recovery

The Insurance Angle: Document Lock Costs

Most homeowner's and renter's insurance policies cover lock replacement after a confirmed break-in. The locksmith receipt is a required document for your claim.

  • Get an itemized receipt from the locksmith: lock model, labor hours, total
  • Keep the old (damaged) locks if the insurer may want to inspect them
  • Ask your insurer if lock replacement is covered under your deductible
  • Document the locksmith's arrival time and the locks replaced
  • Standard renter's policies: lock replacement often covered up to $300-$500
  • File the claim within 48-72 hours — delays can complicate coverage
Emergency Rekey Checklist
FAQ

Post-Break-In Questions

Should I stay somewhere else tonight?

Yes, if: (a) the intruder is unidentified and may return, (b) the entry point cannot be fully secured tonight, or (c) you do not feel safe. Staying elsewhere while the locks are changed and the entry point is repaired is a legitimate and reasonable choice, not an overreaction. Most people feel significantly better after the rekey is done and will return the following day.

My door frame was kicked in. Can I still just rekey?

No. A kicked-in door frame compromises the strike plate and the jamb — the place where the bolt physically holds. You need the frame repaired AND the lock changed. A new deadbolt installed on a damaged frame provides no security. A locksmith can assess whether a heavy-duty strike plate reinforcement is sufficient as a temporary fix while you arrange full frame repair.

The intruder came in through a window. Do I still need to rekey?

Yes, for two reasons: you do not know if they made a copy of any keys they found inside, and you do not know if they unlocked a secondary door or window from the inside. A complete security reset after a window break-in includes rekeying all exterior locks AND checking that every window and door is locked from the outside again before you leave the property.

Related Guides

When to Change Your Locks Emergency Rekey Checklist Keys Were Stolen Same-Day Rekey Services