What To Do If Your Car Is Stolen

Having my car stolen or broken into is a constant fear sitting in the back of my mind. While I hope this never happens to any of you, there are things you can do to try and prevent theft. This way,in the unfortunate event that your car does actually get stolen, you’ll know what to do next!

Prevent your car from theft by considering these helpful tips:  

• Park in a garage when possible. Car thieves are more likely to steal cars on the street.
  
• Maintain your car. If your car looks like it is in good shape and well-maintained, the idea that your car has working alarms goes along with it, making carjackers less likely to go for your vehicle.
• Don’t leave your valuables in sight. Here is where the “lock, take, hide” motto comes into place. Listen to it.
• Park in well-lit areas. The more visible your car is, the less likely it is to get broken into.

If you believe your car has been stolen, try and stay calm. You’ve just experienced a traumatic event, and it can be difficult to think clearly. Try and take a deep breath to determine what to do next. Keep the following things in mind:

• Make sure your car has actually been stolen. It’s easy to forget where one parked, so retrace your steps and double, triple check that this empty spot was actually where you last left your car.
• Make sure your car hasn’t just been towed. Look around to see if you see any warning signs about towing that you might have missed when you originally parked. If you see any nearby signs, call the number for more information. If you don’t see a towing number, call the police. Most towing facilities report the towed vehicle so it doesn’t get presumed to be stolen.
• If you have double checked these things, it’s time to call the police. The sooner you call, the more likely your potentially stolen car is to be recovered.
• Now that you’ve alerted the police, notify your insurance carrier and report your stolen car. Regardless of what policy you have, your insurance provider needs to know that you aren’t currently in possession of your vehicle.
• Report your stolen vehicle to the local DMV. The DMV keeps a database of stolen cars and often works with the police department to help you recover your car.
• If you still have had no luck in locating your vehicle, keep your eye online. Check sites such as Craigslist and other selling or pawning sites. While this isn’t always the case,  you just might find your stolen car online.