According to recent statistics, the FBI estimates that a car gets stolen once every 44 seconds in the United States. Hopefully, this never happens to you, but if it does, try to stay calm. If your car gets stolen, here are some easy-to-follow tips to help you keep your sanity and maybe even get your car back in one piece.
Remember Where You Left It
One of the worst things you can do is stress out if you can’t find your car. For example, parking garages contain several levels, so there’s a chance that you just forgot where you parked. After a long night out, it can be difficult to remember just where you parked. Fortunately, several smartphone apps can come to the rescue. Apps such as iFind My Car and Augmented Car Finder locate your vehicle and are available on both iOS and Android operating systems. You might also want to search the area to see if there’s a no parking sign. If so, you might have been towed, which, although annoying, is far less stressful than a stolen vehicle.
Call the Police
If you still can’t locate your vehicle after a thorough search, it’s time to call the police. In car theft cases, the sooner you dial authorities, the greater the chance you’ll get your car back. You’ll need all the information about your vehicle, including the VIN (vehicle identification number). If you don’t have this information readily available, most insurance companies provide it on their website. Just log in to your account, and it’s typically on the main page. It’s also in your best interest to make a copy of the vehicle title to give to authorities. This lowers the likelihood that the thief will be able to sell your car.
Use GPS to Aid in the Search
Many new cars are now equipped with GPS, which is a valuable tool to help police recover your car. Many Toyotas have Safety Connect, which means you can pinpoint your vehicle’s location by contacting the customer service department and, in some cases, even though your phone.
Call Your Insurance Company
Once you’ve filed a police report, it’s time to call your insurance company. You’ll need comprehensive insurance in most cases to get any money in return, but make sure to check with your provider to see what they cover. This is also important if the car is used in a crime. It provides police and your insurance company with a timeline, preventing you from being a suspect.
Prevent Theft Before It Happens
Perhaps the best way to deal with car theft is to prevent it before it happens. Always keep valuables out of sight, engage your security system, and only park in well-lit places. When in doubt, pay the extra money to park in a secured lot.
With any luck, you’ll never have to deal with a car theft, but if the worst happens, you’ll know how to handle it without a major meltdown.
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