If you experience an unforeseen event, such as your car being stolen, you can be confused and unable to think straight. You won?t even think of the right step to do next. However, once you realize that someone has stolen your car, you need to relax and follow essential steps. We have mentioned some of them below.
Be sure that it?s Stolen
Before jumping to conclusions, you want to confirm that your car has been stolen. This point might sound far-fetched, but you might have forgotten where you parked your car. In some cases, your car might get towed due to some reason. That?s why you should be sure that your car is stolen.
If there?re local towing companies in your area, you can ask them about your car by providing the VIN of the vehicle. If they have the car in their custody, they?ll tell you what went wrong and what you can do to retrieve it. But if you?re sure that the car is stolen, go ahead and do the things we have mentioned below.
Call Your Insurance Company
Dealing with the case of a stolen car is not easy. Thus, you should not try to handle it on your own. Call your insurance company as soon as possible and let them know about the incident. This is also a good move since the insurer might take care of some damages if any are found.
You need to let the insurance company know, even if you did not apply for liability coverage. Regardless of the nature of the insurance, the company will also proceed further with the issue and might offer some help.
While you might not be compensated instantly, stay calm and take the following steps that might help you recover the lost vehicle.
Call the Police
Since you?re convinced that your car is missing because it has been stolen, be sure to call the police. While doing that, you should craft a police report where you provide a detailed description of your lost car. Be sure to mention things like make, model, color, plate number, etc. The police will need this information to commence their investigation.
When going to the police, you should not forget to carry your license, car registration documents, logbook, insurance details, and your government-issued ID. This means that you should never leave these essential documents in the vehicle. If someone steals your car with the documents, it might be hard to trace it.
Get Help from Other People
You can?t survive on your own. Just let other people know that your car has been stolen, and they can find proper ways to assist you. Talk to individuals who were there when the incident happened, and they might share some details to help you get started.
If there?re some buildings nearby, you can ask the security personnel if they have some details to share with you. You need not panic if your car was stolen in a public location because you?ll always have a starting point.
You need to have many people helping you so that things move faster before the thief moves too far with your car. Call your friends and loved ones and let them know what just happened.
Be Ready for Anything
You should be ready for anything even as you do everything possible to have your car returned. It?s reported that only half of the stolen cars in the US get returned. If someone chooses to steal your car, it means they have a plan to succeed, but this should not discourage you from trying.
Once you’ve contacted the right individuals and informed the police, don?t let up just yet. Try to recall the documents you left in the car and let the police know. If your car has a GPS tracking device, inform the company and responsible company, and they?ll help you know where the car is. Being ready for anything helps you have peace of mind as you try to find your stolen car.
Closing Thoughts
The tips shared above can enhance the chances of finding your stolen vehicle. Do not forget to let your insurance know since they might have some resources to help you find the vehicle. The police will work closely with you and help find the person who took your car from the parking lot.
