Today is just like any other day. You get ready for work, walk outside, and then you see it: broken glass scattered around your vehicle…
Your car was broken into. After your feelings of anger, shock and disappointment subside, you might be thinking to yourself, “What do I do now?”
Don’t worry; we’ve got your back. Here’s a list of things you should do if your car was broken into:
- Scan the area. The very first thing you should do is check your environment. Most of the time, thieves will be in and out of your car because they just want to steal your valuables and leave. However, you should play it safe and make sure they didn’t stick around for some reason. If you feel uncomfortable, go someplace safe to call for help.
- Record the items that were stolen. See what the thief took and make sure you write it down. A lot of thieves who break into vehicles go for purses, wallets, smartphones and other electronics you might have in the car. They also might steal air bags so they can sell them cheap and make a complete profit. You should also take pictures of your vehicle and the damaged caused by the thief.
- File a police report. Instead of calling 911, call your local police department’s non-emergency number. Not all break-ins are investigated, but reporting the crime will help police track trends. The police will also provide documentation for your insurer if you decide to file a claim.
- Check your cards. If you left your credit or debit cards in your vehicle at the time of the theft, check to see if the thief took them. If so, call your bank immediately and cancel the cards that were stolen and order new ones. The bank will also monitor your accounts for any suspicious behavior.
- File an insurance claim. If you don’t know if you should file a claim, call Assure America at (304) 723-4600 and speak with one of our agents. Your auto insurance will usually cover the damage to your vehicle, but lost or stolen items might be covered under your homeowners or renters insurance.
There are also some ways to decrease the chances of your car being broken into again. When parked, you should always lock your doors, keep the windows rolled up and keep any valuables out of sight.
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