What To Do If Your Car Is Stolen

You must act fast as soon as you realize your car has been stolen. This article will guide you on what to do if your car is stolen so that you can recover it as quickly as possible.

Although there are no guaranteed ways to ensure the safe return of your stolen car, following this advice will keep you calm and hasten the investigation and insurance claim procedure.

1. Make a police call right away

Call the police when you confirm that your vehicle was stolen, not just towed, or that you forgot where you parked.

Fortunately, the police find 35% of stolen cars on the same day and 45% within two days.

The police will ask you the following questions:

• Your car's make, model, year, and color

• Any distinctive qualities of your vehicle registration number

• Vehicle's license plate number (VIN)

• Let them know if you have a GPS-tracking system

• Where you last saw your vehicle

• When you last saw your vehicle

• A description of your neighborhood

• An approximate time you guess the car was stolen.

2. Call your auto insurance provider

Call your auto insurance provider within 24 hours of the theft or when you have filed a police complaint. Next, make a claim with your insurance company. You must get the information to your insurance company as soon as possible. Tennessee Auto Insurance Agency customers can submit a claim online in under ten minutes.

Your insurance provider will ask you the same questions the police asked, and they will also ask the following:

• A list of any other valuables that were in your car, for example, a laptop or other electronic devices, sports equipment, literature, or tools, along with a brief description of each item

• A copy of the police report

You must realize that you may not find your car.

Only half of the stolen cars are found. This is because vehicles are often stolen for their parts and can be easily disassembled. If your car is found, it may be damaged. The thieves may have removed some parts. 

3. Check your vehicle carefully if it is returned

If your automobile is returned to you and is still drivable, you should thoroughly inspect it first. Put on some rubber gloves, use a flashlight, and go through your car looking for anything that does not belong to you. Inform the police of everything you discover. You do not want anyone to get wounded, and you do not want to get stopped for anything out of the ordinary. For example, there can be contraband or goods used in crimes in the car. So again, inform the police about everything you discover.

4. Future protection for your automobile

The moment has come to consider adopting new steps to dissuade potential thieves from ever again touching your car. For example, consider anti-theft tools like a modern alarm system or a GPS tracking device.

5. Verify the scope of your auto insurance

Comprehensive insurance, which is an optional plan, typically covers auto theft. However, the state's minimum auto insurance requirements usually do not cover car theft.

Remember that your auto insurance does not cover personal items in your vehicle. They must be covered, or you must make a claim on your renters' or homeowners' insurance.

Commonly asked questions

How can I find my stolen vehicle?

There are several ways to find your stolen car:

• First, inform the police about the license plate

• Next, review the vehicle's maintenance history report (VIN)

• Then, with the built-in Bluetooth tracking system, locate the location.

• Use the GPS tracker that is already inside the car to find it.

What does a car's anti-theft device do?

An anti-theft system works to either deter thieves from stealing your car or assist in finding and recovering it if theft occurs. Simple auditory car alarms to more sophisticated car tracking systems are all examples of devices.

How long, on average, does it take to locate a stolen car?

Usually, a stolen car is discovered by the police 48 hours after it was reported missing. Nonetheless, the procedure could go on for a very long time. Thus, have patience as the police look for your car.

What do criminals do with stolen vehicles?

According to the police, car thefts have three motives: joyrides, profit-driven sales or scrapping, or other criminal activity. The police explained that car thieves are always on the prowl for many reasons, so you must always pay attention to the security of your car.

How can I keep someone from stealing my car?

• Lock the doors and shut the windows of your car.

• Keep your automobile keys safe.

• Place your automobile in a safe location.

• Keep your car protected; take anything valuable from the vehicle.

• Set off your vehicle's alarm.

• Install safety equipment.

• Make certain that your car is adequately insured with Tennessee Auto insurance agency.

What happens if your vehicle is not found?

If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurer will cover the value of your automobile at the time it was stolen if it is not discovered. Moreover, comprehensive claims have a deductible (the amount that gets subtracted from a claim payout). This means that if your lost automobile was worth $15,000 and you had a $1,000 deductible, you would get a reimbursement of $14,000.

An insurance company will analyze your current service records and receipts for any repair work to determine the value of your car. To obtain the most accurate quotation, be sure to provide your insurance with any supporting documentation you may have.

Depending on the insurance agency's assessment, an automobile can typically be classified as "fair," "excellent," or "outstanding. The agency would respond 'excellent' if you can establish that the vehicle was well maintained and in good shape.

What happens if your car is found?

When a vehicle goes missing, the police are typically the ones who discover it. When you are ready to pick it up, the police will contact you and have it impounded. Inform the police if you find your automobile first.

Whoever finds your automobile, get in touch with your insurance provider right away. Your insurer becomes the vehicle owner if it is recovered after a settled claim. If you still need to purchase a replacement, you may have the opportunity to purchase your automobile back.

Get out to your home or renters insurance provider to let them know you have your belongings back if the found vehicle contains any personal goods that you had previously reported stolen. This enables it to update your claim and inform you of the subsequent actions.

In conclusion 

Call the police and your auto insurance agency if your car is stolen. Give them all the information they ask for. When the vehicle is found, have your car inspected to ensure it is safe to drive, just in case any parts are missing or if it is identified while your claim is still being processed. Also, you should use a flashlight to search your car for items that are not yours. 

Furthermore, remember that your comprehensive insurance will cover any repairs to your automobile caused by the theft.

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