If someone has broken into your car:
- Most importantly, make sure that you are safe and (if possible) with someone you trust.
- Call the police using the non-emergency 311 number (if there is no response, use the 911 emergency number).
- Take pictures of the inside and outside of your car, making sure not to move anything around until the police have arrived and investigated.
In addition to these three basic steps that you should take immediately after a car break-in, there are a lot of other things to keep in mind and steps you can take to be better prepared in case your car gets broken into.
If you are a single woman and living on your own, knowing what to look out for and being prepared can help bring you peace of mind and security. Read on to find out more!
Is It Worth Reporting A Car Break In?
Sometimes reporting a crime seems like more trouble than it’s worth. Maybe nothing of value has been stolen, or the damage to your car is minimal.
Maybe the police force in your town is small and doesn’t have the resources to solve the crime. Or perhaps you are just busy and don’t want the added hassle.
Here’s why you should still report it – in the long run, it’s actually more important than you might think to report a break-in.
This is because your break in is valuable information for law enforcement.
Reporting crimes such as car break ins helps government authorities keep track of any crime spikes or patterns in specific neighborhoods.
If they know specific areas are being targeted, it becomes easier for them to put resources into those areas.
Additionally, with this information, efforts and funds can be funneled back into the community to help make it a safer place for everyone.
Do You Call The Police If Someone Breaks Into Your Car?
Yes, you should always call the police if someone breaks into your car.
However, if you are safe, always call using the non-emergency number first. A car break in may seem like an emergency, but it is not.
There’s no doubt that the situation is overwhelming and frightening, and calling the police can be intimidating.
It is imperative that you alert them to the situation, though. If you file an insurance claim, the insurance company will typically require a police report.
What to have ready for the police:
Typically, either an officer will come to you or you’ll be told to file your report at the station.
You’ll need to provide:
- IDs and paperwork. Get together the information you’ll need to share with police during your report. This includes your license, car registration, and insurance card. Know where they are and keep them readily at hand.
- Photos and documentation. While you are either waiting for an officer to arrive or filing at a station, make sure you have picture documentation of any damage to the inside and outside of the car.
- What is missing or damaged? Write down a list of anything that is missing from the car that you know was there before the car was broken into.
Knowing these steps and familiarizing yourself with them as you report to the police can help ease the process and make an unpleasant task a little easier for everyone.
Should You Report A Car Break In If Nothing Was Stolen?
While it can be tempting to forego the inconvenience of reporting a car break in if nothing was stolen, it’s important that you follow through by taking the following measures:
- Still call the police. As mentioned above, the information is valuable to them – and to your neighbors.
- Still take photos. You may need to report a broken window or damaged lock.
- Get your car fixed. Again, even if nothing has been stolen from your car, there is often damage that needs to be fixed. This could be a broken lock, broken windows, etc. You’ll want to get it fixed as soon as possible, so you are not even more vulnerable to future break ins.
A break-in can make anyone feel violated and vulnerable, but by reporting the crime, you can feel more secure knowing local law enforcement is aware.
Does Insurance Cover Car Break In?
The two basic forms of insurance that apply to a car break in are:
- Homeowner’s / renter’s insurance
- Car insurance
Homeowner’s / Renter’s Insurance
If something has been stolen from inside your car, homeowner’s / renter’s insurance should cover the loss as long as it wasn’t an item that was attached to the car.
For example, if the car came with a stereo that gets stolen, that wouldn’t be covered.
However, if you forgot to bring a bag of clothes into the house when you got home, and it was taken, that would be covered.
Comprehensive Coverage
If you have car insurance, the only way the damage to the car (such as smashed windows or scratches) will be covered is if you have comprehensive coverage.
This is not something that automatically comes with a policy – you need to specifically request it.
Is It Worth It To File The Claim?
One thing to keep in mind with insurance policies is that sometimes the cost of filing a claim can actually be more expensive than the damage itself.
You may end up paying more in the deductible than you would just by paying for the damage yourself.
Be sure to read through your insurance policy carefully first to decide if it would be beneficial for you to file a claim.
Are Apartments Liable For Car Break In?
In short, no. By law, apartment complexes are not held responsible if your car is broken into while on their property.
They are a separate entity and did not tell anyone to break into your car.
While it may be frustrating – especially if car break ins are happening on the property frequently – you can be proactive in preventing any potential thefts or damage to your car while on the complex property by doing the following:
- Lock your car
- Make sure your car alarm is working properly
- Park in a well-lit place close to the building
- Remove any items from your car that are valuable to you and may be tempting to a thief
- Put anything of value that needs to stay in the car out of sight. Put them in the glove box or in the available space under the seat.
While nothing is 100% foolproof, taking these actions can greatly reduce the risk of a break in.
Thieves are generally opportunists – they will go for the items they can see or the unlocked car that makes for an easy target.
Other Actions You Can Take To Avoid A Car Break In
Sometimes when your car has been broken into, there is damage done to the windows or locks.
As mentioned earlier, this can leave your car vulnerable and a prime target for more break-ins.
If you are not able to get the car fixed right away, whether because you are waiting for a response from the insurance or you don’t have the funds available to pay right away, be proactive about protecting it from more break ins in the meantime.
If you have a garage attached to your home, park the car in there and leave the garage door closed.
If you do not have a garage, find a well-lit place in a safe neighborhood to park your car where any suspicious activity will be quickly noticed.
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