Okay, so it’s pretty much the stuff of nightmares. You walk out to the parking lot, whistling a tune to yourself – hey, it’s Friday! But when you get to your normal spot, your car is…not there. You blink and stare at the empty parking spot, bewildered, before the dread sets in. Your car has been stolen. So, what now?
What to do if your car is stolen.
1. Call the police.
Yes, you have to call the police. Let them know what happened. Do this as quickly as possible, and tell the cops anything that could help them find the car. Give them the year, make, model, VIN Number, and plate number of the vehicle.
2. Let your insurer know.
You probably want to let your insurance company know about the car theft. If you have comprehensive coverage for your vehicle, your insurance could help you cover the loss. Find out what the next steps are and figure out what’s going to happen. (And find out if your car insurance will help cover you for a rental car until you get a new one!)
Get a car insurance quote3. Call your lender.
If you have a car payment, you’ll want to let your financing or leasing company know about the fact that your car is stolen. Your lender might work with your insurance company to resolve the claim and stuff.
Preventing car theft.
Yes, your insurance might have your back if you have comprehensive coverage, but it’s also important to protect your car and lower the chance of your car being stolen. Here are a few tips:
- Lock the doors. This is a good plan.
- Don’t leave the keys in the car. Hey, you don’t want to make it easy on a potential car thief, right?
- Don’t leave the car running when you’re not there. Someone could hop right into the driver’s seat and quickly be long gone.
- Park in well-lit areas. This can deter potential thieves.
- Don’t leave valuables in sight in your car. Someone might want those.
If your car is stolen, that really sucks. Hopefully, you have comprehensive coverage that will help you recover from the loss. Get insurance quotes by sending us a chat.