A break-in leaves two kinds of damage. There is the physical damage: broken glass, a forced door, missing jewellery and electronics. Then there is the process that follows: police reports, insurance claims, adjusters, deductibles and the question of whether your premium is about to go up.
This guide walks Ontario homeowners through what home insurance typically covers after a break-in, how to file a claim, and how to make sure the same entry point is not used again.
Quick Answer: Does Home Insurance Cover Break-Ins in Ontario?
Most standard Ontario home insurance policies cover theft of belongings and damage to the home caused by a break-in, minus your deductible. Coverage limits apply to certain categories such as jewellery, cash and collectibles, and the claim process requires a police report and proof of what was taken. Every policy is different, so your insurer or broker has the final word.
How Common Are Break-Ins?
Using Statistics Canada police-reported data, MyChoice found that Canada averaged 264 break-ins per 100,000 people in 2025, or roughly 110,000 incidents nationally. Insurers track claims by neighbourhood, which is one reason premiums can differ between postal codes in the same city.
What Home Insurance Usually Covers
- Stolen personal property, such as electronics, clothing, furniture and household items, up to your contents limit
- Damage to the home, including broken windows, forced doors and damaged frames
- Additional living expenses if the home is unsafe to stay in while repairs are made, depending on your policy
An Ontario broker overview from isure notes that most standard policies in the province cover break-ins and home invasions, and that many insurers offer discounts for centrally monitored alarm systems.
What Often Has Limits or Exclusions
- Jewellery, watches and furs usually have a per-category limit unless they are scheduled separately on your policy.
- Cash and gift cards are typically capped at a low amount.
- Collectibles, art and precious metals may need their own rider.
- Theft by someone living in or renting your home may be excluded.
- Vacancy can affect coverage if the home has been empty longer than the period your policy allows.
If you own high-value items, ask your broker now whether they are scheduled. Finding out after a break-in is too late.
What to Do After a Break-In: Step by Step
- Make sure everyone is safe. If you think someone may still be inside, leave and call 911.
- Report it to police. Your insurer will ask for the police report number. Do not clean up until police say you can.
- Document everything. Photograph broken glass, damaged doors, ransacked rooms and the entry point.
- Contact your insurer or broker promptly. The Insurance Bureau of Canada’s claims guide recommends reporting quickly and keeping records of every conversation and expense.
- Make a list of what was taken. Include descriptions, approximate purchase dates, receipts and serial numbers where you have them.
- Make temporary repairs. Board up broken glass or secure the door to prevent further loss. Keep receipts, since reasonable emergency repairs are often covered.
- Work with the adjuster. The adjuster will review the claim against your policy terms and may visit the home.
Why a Home Inventory Matters
The Insurance Bureau of Canada has long encouraged homeowners to keep an up-to-date home inventory with photos or video of their belongings, stored somewhere other than the house. After a break-in, most people cannot remember everything that was in a jewellery box or a closet. A video walkthrough of your home, updated once a year, makes the claim faster and more accurate.
Will My Premium Go Up?
It can. A theft claim becomes part of your claims history, and insurers consider claims history and neighbourhood claims data when setting premiums. Some homeowners choose not to claim small losses for this reason. Speak with your broker about how a claim is likely to affect your renewal before you decide.
The Step Most People Skip: Fixing the Entry Point
After a break-in, many homeowners replace the broken window with the same standard glass that was just broken. The insurer pays to restore the home to its previous condition, and that condition is what let someone in.
Repeat break-ins are a real concern. The thieves already know the layout, the entry point and what was left behind. Replacing a broken window or patio door is the point where an upgrade costs the least extra, because the glass is being replaced anyway.
Strikeglass residential security glazing resists repeated, forceful impacts from hammers, crowbars and similar tools, and is bonded onto the existing glass. Upgrading the entry point that was used, along with other ground-floor glass at the back and sides of the house, makes a second break-in through the same route much harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does home insurance cover stolen jewellery in Ontario?
Usually up to a set limit for jewellery as a category. Items worth more than that limit typically need to be scheduled on your policy separately.
Do I need a police report to make an insurance claim?
Yes. Insurers generally require a police report number for theft and break-in claims.
Does home insurance pay for a broken window after a break-in?
Damage to the home from a break-in, including broken windows and doors, is usually covered, minus your deductible.
Can security upgrades lower my home insurance?
Many insurers offer discounts for monitored alarm systems. Discounts for other upgrades vary by insurer, so ask your broker what your policy recognizes.
Should I upgrade my windows after a break-in?
Upgrading the entry point that was used is one of the most effective ways to prevent a repeat break-in, and it is the lowest-cost time to do it because the glass is already being replaced.