How to Inform Your Insurance Company After Your Car Is Stolen

You never thought it could happen to you. Yet there you are, standing in the parking lot of the mall in the space where your car should be. From the telltale bits of broken glass on the pavement, you suspect your car has been stolen. So what do you do now? Besides calling a cab to take you home, you have to inform the police as well as your insurance company. After your car has been stolen, your insurance company will be able to tell you what your options are as far as financial compensation and obtaining a new set of wheels.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car insurance
• Car insurance card with policy number

1. Get out your auto insurance paperwork.

2. Find the telephone number of your insurance company in your policy paperwork or on your insurance card.

3. Call your insurance company.

4. Inform the agent you speak to that your car has been stolen. Be prepared to give details regarding when the theft happened, where it happened and any extenuating circumstances.

5. Discuss your options. Find out if your policy will pay for a rental car and if you have replacement coverage. Depending on the level of policy you have, you could be entitled to receive enough money to buy another car if the police cannot find your stolen car in a reasonable amount of time.

6. Follow up with your insurance company. Make sure to inform your agent if the police find your car, if the car is still able to be used or if your car is not able to be found. This will help your insurance company get you back on the road as soon as possible, either in a rental, your old car or a new one.

Tips & Warnings

• Know your policy. You pay your insurance premiums to be entitled to certain benefits in case of accident or theft of your car. Become familiar with the benefits you qualify for under your particular policy and discuss these with your insurance agent.
• Make sure you call the police to report the theft after talking to your insurance agent.
• If you want to help others avoid having their cars stolen, consider getting involved with People Against Car Theft (see Resources below).
• If the person who stole your car is caught and arrested, you have the right to bring a civil suit against that person to recoup any monetary losses you may have suffered. This civil suit is in addition to the criminal trial the thief will have to endure.
• After your car has been stolen, you may want to look into security devices in the future. Car alarms and satellite tracking instruments are good deterrents to would-be criminals.

Who Can Help:

• eFax is the world’s #1 Internet fax service.  Send and receive faxes by email and kiss your fax machine goodbye. 30-Day Free Trial