It can be daunting when you discover your car is missing. Here are a few steps to follow if you find yourself in this situation. Remember, you don’t have to face this alone. Contact Donner Applewhite for guidance or if you have questions during this process. We are here to help.
Car Missing? Report It!
Contact the police as quickly as possible. The sooner law enforcement is informed and the more information they have, the better chance of finding your vehicle. According to NICB data, 35% of recovered stolen vehicles are recovered on the same day as the theft, and 45% are recovered within two days. Police will want as much information you can provide including:
- Location the car was parked when stolen and signs of broken glass
- Approximate time it could have been stolen
- The make, model, and color of your vehicle
- License plate number
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- If your car has GPS or any tracker
Insurance
Next you’ll want to contact your insurance provider. You will need to check with your policy to see if you have coverage for a stolen vehicle. If you’re confused by your policy or what is covered, you can reach out to us at 314-678-1176. We are always here to help advise you on the best course of action.
Many insurance providers will want a copy of your police report or at least information from it so be sure to have that on hand when calling. Keep in mind most companies will wait 72 hours before filing your claim in case the vehicle is recovered.
Missing Items
Be sure to think of what items were in your vehicle when it was stolen. If you had a laptop, jewelry, or other items of value, you’ll want to contact your homeowners or renters insurance. Also if you had documents with personal information (think about your glove box), you’ll want to contact your bank to set up a temporary fraud alert. Finally if you have a loan for this vehicle, you will want to contact your lender to inform them the car is currently missing.
Waiting Game
Unfortunately it’s now time to be patient and find alternative transportation. Police will be searching for your vehicle, but often missing vehicles take time to locate. You can also check on-line on the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) website. Click on the tab that says “VINCHECK” and enter the VIN in the search box to see your car’s current status.
If you find your vehicle prior to the police, immediately contact authorities. They will instruct you on how to take possession of your car as they may need to check it for fingerprints and other evidence before releasing it to you.
Settlement
If your vehicle isn’t found, your insurance will likely offer you the value of your vehicle minus your deductible depending on your policy. Sometimes the valuation of your vehicle can be tricky to determine. To ensure you receive appropriate compensation, please reach out to Donner Applewhite so we can help.