It’s an experience no one wants to go through. That sinking feeling when you step out into the parking lot and realize that your car isn’t where you left it. First, you question if this is really where you parked your car, and after inspecting everywhere nearby, you realize, unfortunately, it really has been stolen. So now what? You have no way to get home, and you’re out one very expensive piece of machinery. While this is certainly an awful experience, there are a few things you can do to increase your odds of getting your vehicle back, and being reimbursed for your losses.
Does Car Insurance Cover Vehicle Theft?
If you’ve purchased comprehensive coverage, your auto insurance will cover any damage to the vehicle resulting from theft. Comprehensive coverage also ensures you are reimbursed for any car parts that are stolen. If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, your insurance likely doesn’t cover theft.
Steps To Take If Your Car Is Stolen
In total, there are six to seven steps you’ll want to take in the event your vehicle is stolen.
1) Search The Area
Before you do anything, make sure you’ve contacted all the nearby impound lots. Sometimes we’re just not fully paying attention, and you could have accidentally parked in a tow away zone, or your car could have already been recovered by the police.
2) File A Police Report
Once you’re certain, without a doubt, that your vehicle has been stolen, call the police. Just like those murder mystery shows you like on TV, your car heist mystery is most likely to be solved in the first 48 hours following its disappearance. The sooner you notify the police, the more likely it is that they’ll be able to locate your car.Sometimes filing police reports can be difficult and confusing. Here’s a list of the things you should know or have with you when you file that report: vehicle identification number (VIN), vehicle registration, license plate number, driver’s license, and also a detailed description of your vehicle.
3) Attempt To Locate Your Car With Technology
There are all kinds of apps and services out there that have functions specifically for an event where your car is stolen. If you have OnStar or LoJack, you might be able to get a location on your vehicle. Additionally, some of these services will slowly shut your vehicle down so that whoever stole it won’t be able to get anywhere in it.
4) Search For Witnesses
If your car was parked in a public location, it doesn’t hurt to ask people in the area if they saw anything. If your car was on a busy corner, or in the parking lot of a popular business, there’s a good chance that someone saw something, whether they thought it was fishy at the time or not. This could get you just one step closer to recovering your car.
5) Contact Your Insurance Company
While this may be a dreaded step for many, the sooner you call your insurance agent, the better. The faster you file a claim, the faster you get your money. Also, if you call your insurance agent right away, you’ll be able to get an insurance adjuster quickly in the event that your vehicle is found.
When you contact your insurance agent, you’ll want to have the following information ready:
- Last known location of the vehicle
- Date and time of theft
- Location of all keys to the car
- Title to the car
- Names and contact information of anyone that had access to the vehicle
- Detailed description of your car its condition before it was stolen
- The police report number
Bonus Tip: If your vehicle is located and is brought to the police impound, make sure you have an insurance adjuster come check it out before you move it out of the impound. Parts could’ve been stolen or your vehicle might not run, depending on what happened to it. Once it’s outside the impound lot, you’re responsible for getting it somewhere safe. If your car doesn’t run, you’re looking at hefty towing fees which you could avoid by having an insurance agent look at it before you leave the impound lot.
6) Contact Your Financing or Leasing Company
If you’ve financed or leased your car, you’ll need to give the financing or leasing company a call. Have your finance or leasing company contact your insurer directly. Your insurance company will pay a claim out to the financing or leasing company so that you will no longer be held liable for making monthly payments on a car that is no longer in your possession.
7) Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
Did you keep your insurance card, registration, or any other personal information in your car? Was your wallet in there? If you kept any sort of personal information in your vehicle, you’ll want to make sure you’re protecting yourself from a potential identity theft. Call your bank, cancel credit cards if necessary, and make sure you’re aware that this is a very real possibility. It’s easy to forget, in all the hassle of trying to find your vehicle, that your vehicle isn’t the only thing in danger in this situation.
How To Find A Stolen Car
The National Insurance Crime Bureau maintains a stolen car database known as VINCheck. You can use your vehicle identification number (VIN) to run a search for your car to see if it has been located or spotted anywhere. If a law enforcement agency or insurance company finds your missing vehicle, it will be reported on VINCheck.
What To Do After Your Car Is Found Or Determined To Be Lost
Once your car has been found, there are additional steps you’ll want to take.
First and foremost, check to see if any personal property was stolen from your car. Unfortunately, comprehensive coverage won’t cover any stolen property that wasn’t part of your car. If you have renters insurance or homeowners insurance, your personal belongings may be covered under either of those two policies. Regardless of whether or not your belongings are covered, it’s important to know what you’ve lost.
After searching for your belongings, you’ll want to examine the condition of the car to inspect for any damage to the vehicle. As long as you contacted insurance after the vehicle was stolen, you won’t be held liable for any damages that occurred while the vehicle was not in your custody.
Insurance companies will typically wait 30 days from the date a car is reported stolen before determining that it is lost. If your car isn’t found within 30 days, the insurance company may accept a loss on a stolen vehicle and distribute payment for your vehicle. The payment will equate to the market value of your car minus any depreciation and your deductible. If your car was financed or leased, your insurance company will pay your finance or leasing company directly instead of paying you.
How To Prevent Your Car From Being Stolen In The Future
There are a number of preventative actions you can take to ensure your car is not stolen again in the future. Some preventative safety measures can even earn you discounts on your insurance policy, so they are definitely measures worth taking. You can install technologies such as a GPS tracker, a car alarm system, or physical anti-theft device to reduce the likelihood of theft. You should also close your windows, lock your doors, store keys in a secure area, and turn off your car’s ignition whenever you leave your vehicle.
It’s a good idea to try and learn something from your theft – Yes, it was a terrible, awful, inconvenient thing that happened to you, and it certainly wasn’t fair, but there’s something to be learned from any experience, good or bad. In the future, make sure you’re very conscious about taking every precaution possible to prevent theft from happening again. If you have to get a new car, you might even consider getting a different model that is at a lower risk for theft.
About Doyle & Ogden Insurance Advisors
The local, independent insurance advisors at Doyle & Ogden have been helping drivers secure the best possible auto insurance policies at the right price, since 1958. Our agency is based out of Grand Rapids, but our advisors have serviced drivers throughout the state of Michigan. If you’re unhappy with your insurance rates or you’re looking for an auto insurance provider, our agents can provide you with a free complimentary quote. Contact us today by filling out a contact form or calling (616) 949-9000 to speak with an agent today.
