Because of their value, vehicles are popular targets for criminals. In fact, on lists of global vehicle theft statistics, you’ll find that the United States consistently ranks near the top. In the event that your vehicle is stolen, you will need to react quickly in order to have a smooth insurance claims process and recover from the loss.
If you suspect your vehicle has been stolen, do the following:
- Call the police. The sooner you notify the proper authorities, the more likely you are to recover your vehicle. You will want to share everything about your car that you can, including its make, model, licence plate number and VIN number. 2.
- Report the stolen car to your insurer. Once you’ve completed a police report, you should contact your car insurance company. You can often file a report using your insurer’s claims hotline. You should also consider contacting your local motor vehicle department, as they typically maintain a database of stolen vehicles.
- Report the theft to your finance or leasing company. If you still owe money to a financing or leasing company, you will want to inform them that your vehicle has been stolen. Often, these companies work directly with insurers following vehicle thefts.
The right auto policy can be invaluable following a vehicle theft. If you have comprehensive coverage on your policy, your insurer can help pay to replace your lost car. Most policies can even provide rental car coverage until your stolen vehicle is recovered or considered lost. Contact your insurance agent to find out what your individual policy covers.
