Nobody expects a broken window or any theft from their vehicle. But, theft of something or break-ins is a common issue that occurs frequently, even in parking lots, residential areas, and even driveways. So, what to do if someone breaks into your car?
If someone breaks into your car, the first step is to ensure your safety, gather evidence, contact the police, and so on. This makes a difference in the steps that you take just after break-ins. This will help you to fix the issue immediately, smooth out the police issues, and lastly ensure safety.
In this content, I’ll briefly describe the exact steps that you should take immediately after any occurrence, including a broken window or theft.
6 Things That You Can Do If Someone Breaks Into Your Car
The scenario of theft of something or of breaking any vehicle part is not uncommon. You can’t prevent it, because this is an uncertain event, or we can’t predict it somehow. But, if this can occur, then we can take some steps that could save us. Let’s see which they are:
Ensure Your Safety First
According to an FBI report from 2023, most thefts occurred in the parking lot, and among them, 44% occurred between 8 PM and 4 AM. That means, if you see something like that, don’t go near your vehicle first, because the thief or someone who did it may be nearby.
In this situation, you should observe the problem first and take necessary steps based on the circumstances. If you feel something, then it’s better to keep your distance. In most cases, if you prevent them from doing it, then you may face a dangerous situation.
So, where you park your car, keep it in an area covered by CCTV or monitored by the authorities. Thus, you can reduce at least 20% of the chances of getting a theft or broken window.
Keep The Documents Of Damage
The mistake that we make is fixing the damage instantly without keeping the document that we should keep before the repair. That is the most common mistake. If you do it, you may face difficulties getting coverage from the insurance company or may be unable to report to the police.
I prefer to use a dashcam or record a video of damaged areas. Take a recording properly if you have lost something, damaged the lock, broken windows, or taken footage of the inside. Keep in mind that you don’t touch or replace anything before filing or claiming at the police station. Footprints and scattered materials are proof of theft.
A dashcam will help you record 24/7 or monitor your car. You can show that as proof of something occurring. You can also use these records while you’re going to report or file cases at the police station.
Immediately contact the police station
You have already recorded the footage and have all the proof; now, collect all the documents and report to the police station. This can also be done via online application or by contacting the police station. In this situation, I prefer to go to the police station in person and file a report about the incident.
Sometimes, insurance companies and police stations don’t want to process the claim without having any records or videos. Must keep these while you report it to the police station, and insurance companies:
- Vehicle model, year, VIN number
- Place and time
- List of stolen items
- Details of visible damage
Keep these while reporting or claiming for coverage. These documents will save you from many hassles, especially if the damage is prominent.
Talk to your insurance companies
Never fix your car without filing a claim with your insurance company. If you need a windshield or window replacement due to theft, you should inform your company first.
After contacting the insurance company, they will schedule a meeting and outline the processing timeline, the percentage of coverage, and so on. The advantage you will receive depends on the policies of the insurance company and its system.
During the claim, they may request a police report, footage of the damaged areas, lists of stolen items, or other necessary documents. Sometimes, they may give you a partial deductible if the occurrence is not too recent or related to something. At this stage, some people were surprised because they didn’t have a clear idea of it. So, if you should have a clear idea between comprehensive and liability coverage.
Secure and Repair Your Vehicle
Accidentally, if the damages occur, then the next step is to inform the insurance and the police station. After that, the next part is to secure and repair the vehicle.
To repair the vehicle, you need to assess the extent of the damage. If the damages are too much, then you have to decide whether you should forward the repair or if replacement is better.
If the damages are too much, then it is best to go with the replacement. So, it depends on the situation. However, several damages can be repaired by the locksmith, such as if the damage happened only on the locking system, then going to the repair shop is a waste of time. In this regard, you can choose a locksmith.
If the damage is about a broken window or broken windshield, then it’s better to go to a repair shop. After talking to the experts, they will suggest the better option that you should choose.
Replace Stolen Items & Protect Your Identity
First things first, you have to list all the stolen items, like a laptop, mobile, wallet, or anyother expensive items. If possible, try to find out the model number, report it to the police, and claim the insurance as well.
Several essential things that we forget to do, but those are so crucial to do. These include handling stolen items, cancelling cards if they are stolen by the thief, reporting to the bank, or closing that account if you find suspicious activities.
Over the next few days, keep a close eye on the transactions. Sometimes, the thief makes a strategy to withdraw a large amount from your card. So, be careful about that.
How To Prevent Future Break-Ins
You can’t completely prevent the break-ins, but you can reduce the chances of getting break-ins by applying effective strategies. Here are several tips for you:
- Keep your vehicle in a place with sufficient lighting so you can see your staff from a minimum distance.
- Park your vehicle in a place covered by CCTV footage.
- Use your garage if you have one, and close the garage after using your vehicle.
- You can install an alert system, which may reduce the chances of break-ins.
- Don’t keep your laptop, mobile, or wallet inside the car, as this increases the risk of theft.
- You can use dashcams that will record everything from theft to damage.
These are the regular practices, and must be maintained. Don’t forget to stay alert and stay safe.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Should I call 911 if someone breaks into my car?
You can call 911 if the perpetrator is nearby and the occurrence occurred in front of you. But if you find your vehicle damaged, call the police or report a file as soon as possible.
Will insurance cover stolen personal items?
Usually, auto insurance companies pay demurrage charges only for the damaged car, not for the stolen items. However, this could be moderate based on the insurance policy. It would be better if you could talk to the agent directly. So, it’s better not to keep the expensive items that attract thieves.
Do I need comprehensive coverage for car break-ins?
Yes. If you have only ‘Liability Coverage’, you will be paid only for the damaged car. For break-ins or stolen items, demurrages must be covered under comprehensive coverage. So, before doing the insurance, this aspect should be considered.
How long does an insurance claim take?
It entirely depends on the type of damage and the policy of your insurance company. Usually, it can take up to several days to 2 weeks to process a claim. You can reduce the overall processing time by requesting them directly. However, this process can be quicker if you can collect all the necessary documents, like police reports and footage.
Can I repair the window myself?
You can do it yourself only if you have prior experience repairing your window. Some people are trying several DIY tools without having any knowledge. This can be dangerous and should not be applied. Otherwise, the windows got scratches, and those could not always be repaired.
Final word
As a car owner, you must be alert while parking your car, while keeping inside all the necessary or essential gadgets and so on. Theft is a common scenario that cannot be predicted.
If the damages occurred, list them carefully by noting them down, and don’t touch those until police verification is done. Must contact the insurance company if you have comprehensive coverage.