Everyone knows thieves love to swipe cash & jewelry, but some of the other items on this list may surprise you

If you’ve ever asked yourself ”What do thieves steal the most?” you probably came up with the obvious choices: cards and cash, shiny things, tech, etc. But as you’ll find out in today’s article, they’re after a lot more than that.

Luckily, according to the Council on Criminal Justice, burglaries and break-ins have become far less frequent over the past five years. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare. Knowing what items thieves are likely to target will teach you which ones to secure or add to your home insurance policy.

Cash, Credit Cards, & Debit Cards

This is the big one. 

When thieves go breaking and entering, this is what they’re looking for. It’s also what they successfully steal the most of. And the worst part is your home insurance isn’t going to replace very much of what you lost, as these policies are pretty limited on how much cash they’re willing to replace.

So, if you have a good amount of money lying around at home, lock it up when you’re not using it, especially if you’ll be away from home for any period of time. The best option would be to keep it in a safety deposit box or deposit it at your bank, but if you have any at home, play it safe and keep it hidden.

Jewelry

Aside from cash, jewelry is a big target for burglars because it’s light, which makes it easy to carry more of, and it often has high resale value. 

However, it doesn’t matter whether it’s diamonds, pearls, gold, silver, or something far less valuable like cubic zirconia. If it’s left out unsecured, they’ll nab it on the off chance it’s worth something.

They’re getting it for “free” after all. If they even get just $20 back for something they didn’t have to pay for, that’s still a great deal.

TVs, Computers, & Other Tech

Can you imagine trying to dismount a TV from the wall or steal a surround sound system in the middle of the night without waking a sleeping homeowner? That’s a lot of unnecessary stress. 

With that in mind, it makes sense that most home burglaries occur during daylight hours when homeowners aren’t around. It makes swiping expensive electronics a lot easier. Things like TVs, speakers, stereo systems, computers, laptops, gaming consoles, and phones are all great finds for a thief.

Unfortunately, aside from phones and laptops, you can’t securely stow large electronics away at night. So, it’s crucial to make sure you add the value of all your tech items to your home insurance policy in case of a break-in.

Clothes & Accessories

Yes, if they have the chance, they’ll even check your closet. They’ll mainly be looking for high-value or designer brand clothes, handbags, shoes, watches, leather, furs, etc. Again, since you can’t exactly lock up your closet every night, make sure you don’t skip out on adding them to the valuation on your home insurance policy. 

Prescription Medications

Like jewelry, painkillers, muscle relaxers, and other prescription medications are easy to carry and have a high resale value. Scheduled substances like these are also usually unsecured, kept in a kitchen or bathroom medicine cabinet, making them easy to grab and go. And since home insurance doesn’t typically cover prescription meds, you may want to lock them up or take them with you when you go out of town.

Cars & Car Parts

Even if you keep your car locked in the driveway, it can still be a prime target for thieves. When a broken window is the only thing standing between them and what’s inside, there’s not much you can do about it other than stowing your car in the garage. 

Sometimes, they’ll be looking for valuables left in the backseat or glovebox; other times, they’ll be hunting for car parts, including everything from wheels to catalytic converters.

Guns & Ammunition

If you don’t already have a gun safe, you may want to invest in one. Every gun owner knows how expensive ammunition is these days, and firearms aren’t exactly cheap either, which is why they’re such massive scores for thieves.

Expensive Tools, Equipment, & Appliances

A lot of garage staples will be on a burglar’s radar as well. Yard equipment like lawnmowers, weed eaters, small appliances like mini-fridges, and various power tools all make great resale items. If you can keep most of them locked up in a toolshed, they’ll be more likely to survive a home invasion.

However, the best way to ensure you don’t part ways with all the valuables on this list is to invest in a home security system. That way, if there’s a break-in, you’ll be notified instantly no matter where you are. Also, whether you choose a trusted brand or go the DIY route, make sure to pair your system with the Rescu app so you’ll always have the fastest way to get help in an emergency at your fingertips.