You think your car is parked in a safe place, but after you return from the store or a restaurant, you find that someone has smashed its windows and stolen some contents. You feel violated, helpless and wonder, “How did this happen to me?”
Yet, you’re not alone. In 2014 alone, police received reports of 1.17 million car break-ins, each averaging an $835 loss. This doesn’t factor in the loss of vehicle accessories – car parts like hub caps, wheel covers, motors, transmissions, mirrors, gasoline and radios – which add another $553 per incident.
Even when you do everything to be safe, there is a small chance this scenario will still occur. In the aftermath of a car break-in, what should you do?
1. Contact the Police and Survey the Scene
First, call the police to have an officer sent over to investigate the scene. You may also be asked to come to the station to file an official report. As you’re waiting for an officer to arrive, document the scene for an insurance claim – pictures of broken windows, stolen parts or a door forcibly opened – but don’t disturb the evidence. Your car is now a crime scene, so do not rummage around or remove any items.
Also, be ready with your license, vehicle registration, insurance information and a list of what has been taken. At this stage, especially if your license plate or any electronics were stolen, have the appropriate numbers. You’ll have to get the plates canceled, otherwise be on the hook for any of the perp’s speeding tickets, while a computer or phone’s serial number can be helpful for tracking the device down.
2. Protect Your Personal Information
If you left a bag of personal items in the car, the thief often makes off with a credit or debit card. Worse, should anything with your social security number or address have been available, he or she may attempt to commit identity theft in addition to the crime already committed. At this stage, reach out to your bank to cancel all cards, block account access and contact the credit bureaus to monitor any suspicious activity.
3. Keep Your Car Safe
After you’ve contacted the police and canceled your accounts, you are left with a car that has broken windows and a defective door. Although many decide to duct tape a piece of cardboard or tarp to the broken window, experts recommend that you simply avoid parking on the street until repairs are made. Keep the vehicle in a secure garage or similar location until you can schedule an auto body appointment.
4. Get the Repairs Done
On the subject of repairs, recovering from a break-in could mean your car needs a significant amount of maintenance. Work with your auto body shop and insurer to:
- Replace broken glass
- Repair damaged doors. In some cases, a thief may have used a punch tool on the door lock, removed or rendered it useless in the process, and further dented the exterior.
- Replace stolen or broken parts
- Install a new car radio or GPS system
Until you get these repairs done, your car’s interior remains open to other thieves, who could ransack it for more parts or steal the vehicle outright.
5. Make a Plan to Prevent Future Thefts
Depending on what exactly happened, you need to plan for the future. Often, this entails:
- Remembering to always lock your car doors.
- Keeping your car’s alarm active every time you leave the vehicle.
- Never leaving valuables in the car – no GPS, smartphone or handbag in the back seat. If you do have to bring something valuable along, lock it in the trunk.
- Reporting anyone suspicious around your vehicle to the police.
- Always keeping your car in a well-lit, public area when you’re out.
If you recently experienced a car break-in, DaSilva’s Auto Body is here to assist with a range of repairs, from broken glass and dents to installing new parts. To make an appointment, give our Naugatuck location a call today.
