Burglaries are becoming more valuable

BTA: Burglaries are becoming more valuable – compensation amounts for property thefts have increased by 70% 

During the winter half-year, from October to March, property and valuable items become an easier target for thieves. Property insurance data from BTA Baltic Insurance Company (hereinafter – BTA) shows that 45% of claims for theft in private properties are recorded during this period. As explained by Ivo Danče, Director of the BTA Insurance Claims Department, thefts have become more valuable, with the sum of indemnities paid out in 2025 increasing by 70%. Therefore, property security must be planned in several layers, ensuring surveillance as well as physical and financial protection, which allows the lost value to be restored after an incident. 

BTA statistics show that over the last three years, the number of insurance claims paid out for theft from private property has remained stable – around 40 to 50 cases per year, but the amount of material losses caused and, accordingly, the insurance indemnities paid out has increased significantly. While in 2023 the sum of indemnities paid out for theft cases reached €14,000, in 2025 it was €24,000, an increase of approximately 70%. The average indemnity paid per case also increased accordingly, from EUR 716 in 2023 to EUR 904 in 2025. 

Half of all thefts from private properties occur during the dark months of the year – outbuildings must also be protected 

A summary of BTA property insurance claims data shows that 45% of insurance claims for thefts from private properties are received during the winter half-year months – between October and March, when visibility is poor and people's daily habits often facilitate the plans of thieves. Most often, thieves target not only apartments and private homes, but also outbuildings, which are often not adequately supervised. 

"Thieves target both apartments and private homes, but people often forget about outbuildings. Garages, sheds, farm buildings, saunas – these are often easier to break into and are not inhabited on a daily basis, but they contain very valuable items, such as various types of equipment, tools, bicycles, and seasonal equipment. Therefore, when insuring your property, it is important to include outbuildings and movable property in the insurance coverage so that you do not have to cover the losses from your own pocket after an accident," explains I. Danče. 

Largest indemnity – for stolen equipment and tools in the amount of EUR 5,448 

BTA paid the largest insurance indemnity for losses caused by thieves to a hangar owner – in this case, thieves broke into the shed and stole a quad bike, a tractor, a water pump and a set of bearings, causing losses of €5,448. In another case in Ropaži district, thieves broke into a private home by smashing a window in the boiler room and stole cash, jewellery, and watches stored in the house. In this case, the victim received €5,000 in insurance indemnity. 

The most stolen items are those that are easy to sell – jewellery, tools, and equipment 

In another insurance case in Ķekava district, a stone was used to break a window and gain access to a private home, where lighting fixtures, cash, and gold items were stolen. BTA paid more than €3,700 in insurance indemnity for this case. In a similar case in Mārupe district, a significant number of valuables was stolen after breaking into a house, with the insurance indemnity amounting to EUR 3,200. In another case in Valka district, a sauna was broken into and personal belongings, including a phone and jewellery, were stolen, with insurance indemnity reaching EUR 2,200. 

"Most often, thefts involve valuable movable property that can be quickly taken, carried away, and easily sold, such as tools, equipment, and valuable jewellery. To ensure comprehensive protection, property security should be planned in several layers, combining surveillance solutions with physical and financial protection. Video surveillance, motion sensors, lighting, and high-quality locking mechanisms help deter thieves and detect suspicious activity in a timely manner, while property insurance provides financial assistance. This approach will not only reduce the financial burden but also allow you to recover your losses more quickly," explains I. Danče.