Call the Police to Report a Car Break-in
It’s better to use the non-emergency police number rather than calling 911. In many cities, the number to call is 311. Use 911 only if you can’t get an answer at the regular number. If you are in a store parking lot, you may want to locate a security guard while you wait for the police to arrive. Keep in mind that your vehicle is now a crime scene, so resist the urge to rummage around inside to see what’s damaged or missing, or to touch anything. In cities, police are less likely to personally respond to vehicle break-ins. If that is the case, you will have to go to the nearest police station with your license and registration to file your report. Don’t let it slide. At the very least, you will need it for your insurance carrier. You must have a police report if you plan to file an insurance claim. Make sure the report lists all vehicle damage and items stolen. Even if the items are not insured, you might be able to get them back if the thief is found.
Document the Evidence, and Take Pictures
Always take pictures if you’re in an accident, especially if you’re going to file an insurance claim. The same goes for a break-in. Be sure to take pictures of all damage, both inside and out. Pay particular attention to the surroundings as well. Did the perpetrator leave any objects behind? Are there any security cameras nearby? If there are cameras, it’s important to mention them to the police. It is important to file the police report promptly. The longer you wait, the less likely it is that security footage will be available. Many cameras are set to delete footage a certain amount of time after it has been recorded, so if you wait too long, the evidence may disappear.
To File a Claim With Your Insurer or Not
Check your policy to determine what is covered and what isn’t. You will not be compensated for any of the items you had lying around inside—such as purses, cell phones, laptops, iPods, etc. For those items, you may have to look to your homeowners or renters insurance policy. You will also want to determine just how much it will cost to fix the damage on your car before filing a claim. It’s not worth it if your total damages are going to cost less than the amount of your deductible.
Protect Against Potential Identity Theft
If you think the break-in might result in identity theft, such as in the case that any identification or credit or debit cards were stolen, be sure to immediately contact your credit card holders, banks, and lenders and any other businesses or agencies that might be affected. You might also want to consider purchasing a temporary service that tracks and reports any irregular activity affecting your credit score. Replace your driver’s license, Social Security card, and all other necessary documents that have been stolen as soon as possible.
Consider Preventative Measures
Of course, the best time to think about improving your car’s anti-theft system is before a break-in can occur, but now that you’ve had the bad luck of it happening, it’s worth taking some time to think about a game plan for the future.
The Bottom Line
The specific steps you can take will depend on the make and model of your vehicle, your driving habits, and where you live, but it’s certainly worth coming up with a plan.
