What Do You Do When Someone Breaks into Your Car?

September 5th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA

Someone has broken into your car — and you need to report the incident and get your vehicle repaired. If your car got broken into, here are steps to take to resolve the issue as quickly and effectively as possible:

1. Try Not to Panic

Take a deep breath and try to calm down. Determining what to do when your car is broken into is rarely simple. It can be easy for emotions to run high when you find out that your car got broken into, but you need to focus on resolving the incident. So, once you discover your car has been broken into, take a few minutes to calm down. When you feel calm, cool, and collected, you can move forward with resolving the incident.

2. Evaluate the Damage to Your Car

If possible, use your smartphone to capture photographs of your car and any damage to it. You should also look inside your car and see if any items have been damaged or stolen. Make a list of any items that were damaged or stolen from your car during the incident, too.

If your credit or debit card was stolen during the break-in, contact the card issuer, so you can block access to your account. Also, if any items were stolen that contain your address, birth date, or other personal information, you can contact any of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion) to place a 90-day fraud alert on your credit record.

3. Report the Car Break-In to the Police

Contact the Police, and provide your full name, location, and phone number. A Police officer will arrive on the scene to discuss your incident.

Do not move your car until a Police officer arrives on the scene. Additionally, provide the Police officer with your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and other pertinent information upon request. The officer will use this information in a report that details the incident.

4. Contact Your Insurance Company

Notify your insurance company about your car break-in, any damage caused by the incident, and any items stolen during the incident. If you have a comprehensive automotive policy in place, any repairs to your car may be covered by your policy. Furthermore, if you have a homeowners or renter’s insurance policy, items stolen from your car may be covered under it.

5. Get Your Car Repaired

Take your car to an auto body repair shop for immediate repairs. Using a car repair shop with certified technicians on hand ensures that your vehicle can be properly repaired.

Tips to Prevent a Car Break-In

There are many things you can do to guard against car break-ins, including:

• Keep Your Car’s Doors Locked. Double-check that your car’s doors are locked any time you park your vehicle at home, in a parking lot, or anywhere else.
• Activate Your Car Alarm. Turn on your car’s alarm after you park and lock your vehicle.
• Park in Well-Lit Areas. Keep your car parked in a well-lit area to deter criminals from approaching your vehicle. You should also keep your car parked in a garage or another safe area whenever you can.
• Tint Your Car’s Windows. Add tinting to your car’s windows that make it difficult for criminals to look inside your vehicle.
• Keep Your Valuable Items at Home. Avoid traveling with valuable items in your car. If you have a GPS system or other valuable items you regularly keep in your car, hide them in a glove compartment or under a seat any time you’re away from your vehicle.

At Fix Auto South Anchorage, we are happy to offer tips to help you prevent car break-ins. We also provide a variety of car body repair services. If your car has been broken into, we can replace your windshield and perform other repairs to help you get your car back on the road as soon as possible. To learn more or to schedule a service appointment, please contact us online or call us today at (907) 646-5840.

 

This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto South Anchorage, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing the Anchorage area and surrounding communities.