Do I always have to call the police after a motorhome break-in?

Yes. To settle a theft claim, practically every insurer requires a police report with a case number. Without a report you’re usually left carrying the loss yourself.

How quickly do I have to report the loss to my insurer?

As fast as possible. Many policies require notice within a few days. When in doubt, report right away and submit the details afterward.

What if I don’t have an inventory list?

Then you reconstruct what’s missing as best you can — using bank statements, old photos, emails from online purchases. It’s tedious and often leads to deductions. That’s why documenting beforehand pays off.

Does a photo of the interior help as evidence?

It helps, but it doesn’t replace an inventory list with values and serial numbers. Ideally you have both: documented individual items plus overview photos of the interior.

What is a breach of obligation?

An obligation is a duty you have to meet after a loss — such as reporting on time and stating truthfully what was stolen. If you breach it, the insurer may reduce or refuse the payout.

Am I allowed to have my motorhome repaired after the break-in?

Only once the police and insurer have recorded the loss. Repair it beforehand and you lack proof of its condition — that can complicate the settlement. Document everything with photos before you change anything.

Motorhome Broken Into — What to Do? The 7-Step Plan for Police & Insurance

A broken-into motorhome is a rotten moment. Take a breath — then work through these seven steps in order. That way you secure evidence, avoid mistakes, and give the police and your insurer everything they need.

Change nothing, secure the scene

Don’t tidy up and touch as little as possible. Forced doors, tool marks and items left behind are evidence. The more undisturbed the scene, the better for forensics.

Take photos and notes

Photograph the point of entry, damaged locks, the interior and the surroundings. Note the date, time and exact location. You’ll need this documentation twice over — for the police and for your insurer.

Call the police and file a report

Report the break-in to the police and insist on a report with a case number. That case number is mandatory for the insurer — without a police report hardly any insurer pays out on a theft.

List what’s missing

This is where it shows whether you prepared. Go through your inventory and list every stolen item with its name, serial number and value. With inventory documentation already in place, this takes minutes instead of hours.

Notify your insurer without delay

Report the loss to your insurer as fast as you can — many policies require notice within a few days. Have the police case number and your list of losses ready.

Prove ownership and values

Your insurer wants proof of ownership and value: invoices, photos, serial numbers. Deliver that in an orderly way and you’re settled faster and more fully. Have to go hunting for it, and you lose money and nerves.

Compile a report for insurer and police

Pull everything into one structured report: vehicle, stolen items, values, receipt status, totals. A clean PDF report turns your claim into a clear case — and that’s exactly what CamperProof is built for.

Common mistakes after a break-in — and how to avoid them

Tidying up before forensics: destroys evidence. Photograph first and let the police do their work.
Reporting too late: insurers set short deadlines — a late notice can cost you the payout.
Estimated instead of documented values: without a receipt or serial number the insurer cuts the amount or rejects individual items.
Throwing away damaged parts: keep forced locks and damaged parts until the loss has been assessed.
Repairing before clearance: only have the vehicle fixed once the police and insurer have recorded its condition.

Your duties toward the insurer (obligations)

After a loss you have so-called obligations toward your insurer — duties you have to meet for the claim to be settled in full. These typically include: reporting the loss without delay, keeping it as small as possible, giving truthful and complete information, and, on request, submitting a list of stolen goods.

How to file the notice correctly is covered in the guide Filing an insurance claim step by step; what matters with evidence photos is in the guide Proving theft with photos.

Why preparation decides everything

The hard truth: in the moment of the break-in, you can no longer document anything you didn’t record beforehand. Whoever has an inventory list with serial numbers, values and receipts ready in advance builds the loss report in minutes. Whoever doesn’t fights the insurer for weeks over every euro.

The best move is to prepare today — with a motorhome inventory list that turns into a report the instant you need it.

Make it easy on yourself

Document your camper inventory before it matters

CamperProof safely records photos, serial numbers, values and receipts — and produces the police-and-insurance report in minutes when it counts. Sign up for the launch.