Every day and all across America, thieves steal cars and other vehicles. No matter how many precautions you take, you could end up being the victim of this common crime. What should you do if your car is stolen?
The most reliable way to recover emotionally and financially after having your car stolen or broken into is to have a checklist ready so you know what to do. Below are some steps to follow if your car is stolen or broken into by thieves.
Call 911
Do not wait to call 911 after seeing that your car was stolen or burglarized. In fact, your first call should be to the police. Let them know exactly what happened as calmly as possible. Then, wait for them to come to your location to launch an investigation.
Remember that you should contact 911 even if the car thieves were unsuccessful. Any property damage or signs of break-in necessitate a police report.
Document the Crime Scene
While you wait for the police to arrive, take pictures of the crime scene. If your vehicle is missing, photograph the spot where you last saw it. Be sure to include distinctive landmarks in your images, such as surrounding street signs and businesses.
These pictures and videos can be quite helpful for both the police and your auto insurance provider.
Call Your Car Insurance Company
Filing a claim with your car insurance company starts by letting them know what happened. However, you will probably want to wait until after you speak with the police to contact your insurers.
Give the insurance agent as much practical information as you can, and do your best to stay calm. Agents are trained to collect data so they can help you open a claim to recover some or all of your losses.
Call Your Home Insurance Provider
In addition to contacting your auto insurance provider, you might also want to call your home insurance or renter’s insurance agent. Many home and renter’s policies will cover the loss of certain items that were in your car, such as a standalone device like a smartphone or tablet.
Weigh Your Risk of Identity Theft
Many people store identifying papers in their vehicles. For instance, you may have left your wallet locked in your glove compartment while you attended a business meeting downtown. If those items were stolen, you will be at higher risk of identity theft.
In addition to canceling any credit or debit cards that were in your vehicle, you should also consider contacting either Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. These are the three credit bureaus that manage your credit information and reputation. Any one of them can help you set up a potential fraud alert.
Get a New Vehicle or Fix a Damaged One
As a final note, understand that most stolen vehicles are never recovered. If yours was stolen, you will need to get a replacement. Expect to work with your auto insurance provider to smooth this process.
What if your car was broken into instead of stolen? Again, your car insurance company can give you advice on how you could potentially be reimbursed for any damage suffered to your vehicle.
Losing your car to thieves never leaves you feeling good, but you can improve the outcome with a little preparedness.