Having your car stolen can create a terrible feeling of loss and victimization. Then there’s the inconvenience of not being able to access your vehicle and perhaps the loss of personal items that were in the car. However, you can take several steps to increase your chances of getting it back. In this post, we’ll discuss what to do if your car is stolen.
Steps To Take After Vehicle Theft
If someone has stolen your vehicle, staying calm and thinking clearly is critical. You’ll want to do some practical things to try to recover your vehicle and also avoid other actions that may complicate matters or put yourself at further risk.
1. Contact Local Law Enforcement
If you’ve been a victim of car theft, the first step is to contact your local law enforcement. They can help you file an official police report and may be able to provide information about the types of vehicles frequently stolen in your area.
You will want to supply as much detail as possible when reporting your stolen vehicle. The more information you give police officers about the incident, the better chances they will have of tracking down and recovering your car. Here are some examples of relevant, valuable information:
- The vehicle’s make, model, color, and license plate number
- The vehicle identification number (VIN)
- If your car has any distinguishing characteristics, such as scratches or dents
- Your car’s last known location
2. Call the Insurance Company
Once you’ve contacted the police, you’ll need to call your insurance company. The first thing insurance companies typically ask for is a detailed description of your car. Insurance agents will also want the following:
- A copy of the police report you filed earlier
- Information about any personal items in the vehicle
3. Reach Out to Financial Organizations
If your car gets stolen, another essential step is to reach out to applicable financial organizations. Your car is a significant investment, and having it stolen could have considerable financial ramifications. You’ll want to contact institutions like the following:
- Lenders (if you have an active lease or car loan)
- Banks (if you had credit cards in your vehicle when it went missing)
4. Prepare Yourself for the Outcome
When it comes to recovering a stolen car, you’ll want to consider all the possible outcomes. You should have a plan for what to do when the police find your car and a plan for what you would do should the vehicle never make it back to your possession.
If the authorities recover your vehicle, we recommend:
- Contacting your insurance company
- Inspecting the car for signs of damage
- Double-checking to determine if any of your personal belongings that were inside it are missing
- Ensuring that it runs properly
If the police do not recover your car, you’ll want to:
- File a claim with your insurance provider if you have comprehensive coverage
- Purchase a new form of transportation
5. Protect Your Car in the Future
Car theft isn’t always a one-time event—it could happen again. You’ll want to take measures to protect your car and reduce the likelihood of car theft in the future. Here are some specific things you can do to keep it safe:
- Set up state-of-the-art stolen vehicle recovery systems
- Park your car in open, observable areas
- Keep your vehicle in a locked garage, carport, or other enclosure
- Install surveillance cameras near your driveway
- Get well-rounded insurance coverage
Keep Your Vehicle Safe With SafePoint GPS
It can be challenging to know what to do if your car is stolen, but there are several practical steps that you can take to be proactive. At SafePoint GPS, we offer advanced technological solutions to make your car smarter and help you protect one of your most essential investments. Contact us today for more information and to learn the benefits of installing a GPS tracker on your vehicle.
