What to do After Your Car Is Broken Into

What’s the moral of the story? As it turns out, there are several:

1. Don’t live in shady parts of town.
2. Thieves must really like music – or absolutely hate Civics.
3. Get good vehicle and renters/homeowners insurance coverage.
4. Dealing with a car break-in is not fun.

We’re here to help you with that last bit. If you’ve been the victim of an auto theft, or if some hooligans shattered your window to steal your personal items (and stereo), here’s what you should do.

1) Assess the damage and identify missing items

Make note of all damage done to your car. This likely includes auto glass damage, tears, broken panels, and scratched or bent car doors.

Create a list of all stolen items. Do your best to be as detailed as possible – write down the item’s brand and product name, color, and purchase price, if able – as this will aid you when you file your police report and insurance claim.

2) Call the Po-Po

Always phone the police after a vehicle break-in, even if the damage is minimal or the theft is negligible. Notifying the authorities will put them on high alert, and your tip might stop another car break-in in your neighborhood. Plus, you cannot make an insurance claim without a valid police report.

3) Cancel any credit cards or bank accounts

If the thieves stole any of your identifying information, you should take it seriously – identity theft isn’t a joke, Jim – and close all your accounts and put a fraud alert on your credit reports. Don’t risk it.

4) Gather all documents before reporting an insurance claim

Before you make your car theft claim, you’ll do yourself a favor by having important paperwork nearby. This isn’t always necessary, as some insurers will already have your info on file, but it never hurts to be thorough. The documents and information you’ll want to have include:

• Certificate or Title
• Names and contact info of all people who have regular access to your vehicle
• A full description of your vehicle (make, model, color, etc.)
• A list of all the items that were stolen or damaged
• Your financing or leasing company contact information
• The police report number

5) File a claim

Once you’re ready, call your insurance company to start your claim. It’s important to note that your car insurance may not cover any theft of personal items; you may need to file a renters or homeowners insurance claim, instead. Check with your insurance agent if you have questions or concerns about the claim process.

6) Contact your loan or lease company, if necessary

A call to your leasing or financing company should be your next step if your vehicle has been stolen. They can work directly with your insurance company to expedite the claim process and stop any monthly payments from incurring. Of course, if you owe more than the car’s worth, or if you don’t have gap coverage, you may need to pay the remainder of your balance. Speak with your representative for additional details.

7) Call for a tow or make an autobody repair appointment

While it’s fairly safe to drive with a broken side window, you can opt to have your vehicle towed to a local body shop instead. The collision center you choose will also work with your insurance company to come to a consensus on repair costs. In many cases, replacing broken car windows cost less than insurance deductibles, but there could be other types of autobody damage that needs attention. Your car body shop will inspect and assess those damages, then discuss their findings with your insurer – all on your behalf. (They’re here for you!)

8) Check with your neighbors

With the technological advancements of the 21st century, more and more car thieves are getting caught. That’s because of doorbell video cameras like Ring. If any of your neighbors have these video cameras, the footage may show the perpetrator in action, which may be useful to law enforcement. (You can also try the Nextdoor app and ask people if they witnessed anything unusual in the area.)

9) Take steps to prevent future break-ins

Don’t take the chance of another auto theft or break-in from happening. Prevention is key.

• Park in well-lit areas
• Park in populated, visible areas
• Bring all your personal items inside
• Keep your car locked and its windows up
• Don’t buy pricey, aftermarket stereo systems (just kidding)
• Buy a car with a good alarm system (or one that can track stolen vehicles)

Call Your McCarthy Collision Center After a Break-In

If you need auto body service in Kansas City after an auto break-in or theft, dial 800-NEW-AGAIN or make an appointment at any of our McCarthy Collision Centers in MO or KS. We’ll gladly work with you and your insurer to fix any broken auto glass, damaged stereo systems, or dents and dings. And if the damage doesn’t meet your insurance deductible, we offer several self-pay body repair options – just ask us!