Burglary And Theft Insurance

Burglary and theft insurance is a category of property insurance that provides financial compensation for losses arising from the unlawful and forcible entry into a premises and theft of insured property — including cash, jewellery, securities, electronics, and business inventory — subject to the specific terms, conditions, and exclusions of the policy. In India, burglary and theft insurance is regulated by the IRDAI and offered by general insurance companies including New India Assurance, United India Insurance, Bajaj Allianz General, and ICICI Lombard. Standard coverage includes: loss of property during a burglary (forcible entry), theft by external parties, and in some policies, damage to the premises caused during the break-in. Exclusions typically include theft by employees (covered separately by a fidelity guarantee policy), theft without evidence of forcible entry, and war or civil commotion-related losses. For Indian investors holding physical gold, jewellery, or cash at home, burglary and theft insurance is a critical but frequently overlooked component of comprehensive financial protection — particularly given that many Indian households accumulate significant jewellery assets for weddings and festivals. Commercial burglary policies for businesses and retail establishments are particularly important for jewellery shops, cash-intensive businesses, and stores with high-value inventory. The insurance claim process requires a First Information Report (FIR) with the local police as a prerequisite for claim processing.