Having your vehicle vandalized can no doubt be stressful; trying to shake the feeling of being violated. But we hope these tips come in handy if you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation.
Below are 4 things to do after a car break-in:
File a Police Report
Even if you think that the loss and damage are minimal, or that you won’t get back what’s stolen, it’s still advisable to file a police report so that the cops can be made aware of a break-in. This will help them identify whether what happened to your car is an isolated incident, or just one of many in a string of consecutive break-ins within the community. If it’s the latter, your report can help solve a major crime. If it’s the former, then at least you still stand a chance of getting justice once the thief is caught. Source: FreeDMVPracticeTests
Take Pictures
You already know that you should always take pictures if you are in an accident. The same goes for a break-in. And let’s face it, this one is easy to do these days, given that virtually every cell phone on the planet has a built-in camera. By the way, you should strongly consider always carrying a disposable camera in your vehicle, just in case you are one of the three remaining people that doesn’t have a cell phone or (I’m almost afraid to say it) your phone is stolen in the break-in. Be sure to take pictures of all damage, both inside and out. Source: About
Call your Insurance Company
- Insured for car break-in? Call your insurance agent.
- Have your car insurance policy number.
- Have the police case number.
- Explain what happened (know that this may increase your rates).
- Go through the list of stolen items — this is the same list you gave the police — some may be covered, depending on your coverage and riders. li>
- If your policy includes coverage for a rental car, coordinate this with your agent. If your policy does not cover this, consider another mode of transportation. Source: WhatHappensNow
Protect your Personal Information
Was your credit or debit card taken? Get in touch with the card issuer or financial institution immediately. Block access to the accounts and ask about other recommended steps. Don’t delay, especially if it’s a debit card that was stolen: If you wait too long to report it you could face significant losses — up to all the money in your account.
Identity theft is also a potential problem. If anything you lost has sensitive personal information such as your name and birth date, you might want to place a fraud alert on your credit record to prevent someone from opening new accounts in your name. To do this, contact one of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. Whichever one you call must contact the other two reporting agencies, so you don’t have to call all three. Source: NerdWallet
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