Omari Gates
Discovering that your car has been broken into is a truly awful feeling. Australia has one of the highest rates of motor vehicle theft in the world, and car break-ins can be invasive and frightening. If you find yourself in this situation, it's important to remain calm and take the following steps: First, ensure your personal safety and that of your family by getting to a safe place and checking your surroundings. Next, document the details of the break-in by taking pictures of the vehicle and any damage or stolen items. Then, contact the police and make them aware of the situation, providing them with any relevant information. If the damage is significant or your car is not drivable, get in touch with your insurance company, who can assist with repairs and tow truck arrangements. Finally, consider implementing additional security measures, such as installing a car alarm or avoiding parking in remote areas, to prevent future break-ins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First steps | Ensure your safety by finding a safe place and checking your surroundings. Do not enter or move the car. |
| Reporting the incident | Contact the police, who will either attend the scene or ask you to file a report at a police station. If the police attend, take photos of the car and any damage before they arrive. If you need to go to a police station, do not drive the car in question. |
| Evidence | Take photos of the car, the damage, and any areas that have been broken into (e.g. windows, doors, trunk). Make a written document listing the damage and any items that have been stolen. Look for witnesses and check for security cameras. |
| Insurance | Contact your insurance company to file a claim. The type of claim (auto, contents, or homeowners/renters) will depend on what was stolen and the damage to the car. You will need to provide the police report number and other details about the break-in. |
| Preventing future break-ins | Install a car alarm, use anti-theft devices such as tyre clamps or steering wheel locks, and avoid parking in remote or poorly lit areas. Do not leave valuables in your car or, if you do, make sure they are out of sight. |
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What You'll Learn
Call the police and document the crime scene
If you discover that your car has been broken into, your first concern should be your personal safety. Get to a safe place and check your surroundings. The perpetrator might still be nearby and could harm you if they see you approaching the vehicle.
Once you are in a secure location, you should call the police. Vehicle break-ins are not usually considered emergencies, so call a police assistance line rather than the emergency number. However, if you see the culprit in the act of breaking into your car, call the emergency services.
Before moving your car or touching anything inside it, document the crime scene. Take photographs of the vehicle, including the windows, doors, trunk, tyres, and any visibly damaged areas. Also, make a written list of the damages and any items that may have been stolen. If there is broken glass, you can use a vacuum cleaner to clean it up before getting inside the car. However, do not climb into the vehicle to document the damage, as you may interfere with evidence. The more specific and detailed your documentation is, the more likely your insurance company will make a favourable decision about reimbursements.
If the police cannot attend the scene, they may ask you to file a report at your local police station. Take your photographs and documentation with you, along with your registration details, and any information about when and where the break-in occurred. You will also need to present a list of what was damaged or stolen, which will help the police return your belongings if the culprit is caught.
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File an insurance claim
If your car has been broken into, you may want to file an insurance claim. The decision to do so will depend on how much damage was done to your car and what was stolen. If the cost of damages exceeds your excess payment, you may want to file a claim. However, filing a claim could result in a higher premium or denial of cover in the future.
Before filing a claim, you will need to obtain a police report number. To do this, you must contact the police and make them aware of the break-in. If the police can't attend the scene, you may need to visit a local station and file a report yourself. Take photos of the car at the scene, and show them to the police along with your registration details, and any information you have about when and where it happened, plus a list of what was damaged or stolen. If there are security cameras nearby, the police should be able to check the footage for suspects.
When you have the police report number, contact your insurance agent and send them the information about the break-in. If your insurance company needs more details, they will request them from you. If you have comprehensive cover, you can claim on your own insurance. Your insurer may want to send someone to inspect your vehicle before you get it repaired. They may ask you to use an approved repairer or provide them with estimates before getting repairs done. If you don't have comprehensive insurance, you may need to organise your own repairs. In this case, take the car to a secure place and get some repair quotes to compare with the price of going through insurance.
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Prevent identity theft
If your car has been broken into, one of the biggest risks is identity theft. If a perpetrator gets hold of your name, birthday, license, and Medicare card, they may be able to steal your identity. Here are some steps you can take to prevent identity theft in the event of a car break-in:
Do not leave personal documents in your car
Any documents with your name, address, or other personal information should be kept with you or stored securely at home. This includes your driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance information, and any other documents that could be used to steal your identity. Check your vehicle logbooks and ensure there is no personal information that could be used to link your possessions to your home address.
Remove valuables from your car
Do not leave valuables such as wallets, handbags, or electronic devices in your car. If you must leave valuables in your car, secure them out of sight in the boot or a locked glove box. Remove garage door remotes, house keys, and any other items that could provide access to your home.
Be vigilant about car security
Always lock your car, even when parked at home or leaving your car for a moment. Close all windows, including the sunroof, and lock external toolboxes and equipment. Install a car alarm and consider additional anti-theft devices such as an on-board diagnostic (OBD) port lock, especially if your car has electronic push-start technology.
Report the break-in to the police
Contact the police and make them aware of the break-in. They will assess the situation and file a report. Provide as much information as possible, including any damage to your car, and a list of any items that were stolen. This information is crucial for the police to investigate the crime and recover your belongings.
Alert your bank and insurance company
If any credit or debit cards were taken during the break-in, immediately notify your bank to cancel the cards. Contact your insurance company to initiate a claim for any damage to your car or stolen personal items. Provide them with the police report number and any other requested information.
By following these steps, you can help prevent identity theft and minimize the impact of a car break-in. It is important to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to secure your vehicle and personal information.
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Get the car repaired
If your car has been broken into, the first thing to do is to ensure your safety. Check your surroundings and, if you're in a public place, go inside to a safe, public place with high foot traffic. If you're at home, go inside and lock all your doors.
Once you're safe, you can start to assess the damage. If there is significant damage to your vehicle, you may not be able to drive it. In this case, call your insurance company to help with tow truck arrangements and get the ball rolling on repairs. If the damage is minor, you may want to skip putting in an insurance claim, as this could result in a higher premium or denial of cover.
If you choose to organise your own repairs, take the car to a secure place and start researching repair quotes. Compare the cost of repairs with the price of going through insurance. If you don't have comprehensive insurance, it's unlikely that your insurance will cover the damage to the car, but it may cover items stolen from inside. If you're not confident in organising your own repairs, leave it to your insurance company, who should be able to book your car into a repairer near you.
If you have comprehensive insurance, you should be able to get reimbursed for the repairs. You will need to contact your insurance agent, give them the police report number, and send them the information about the break-in. If the damage is limited to a single window or a door lock, it may be more cost-effective to handle the repairs yourself rather than pay your insurance excess. In this case, contact a reputable auto glass company or your dealership to find a business that can replace or repair the damage.
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Improve car security
Australia has one of the highest rates of motor vehicle theft in the world, so it is important to take steps to improve the security of your car. Here are some ways to do that:
Parking your car in a safe place is one of the easiest ways to improve your car's security. Avoid parking in remote or poorly lit areas, and try to park in busy, well-lit areas instead. If you are parking your car at home, make sure your garage door remote is not left in the car, as thieves can use this to gain access to your home.
Another way to improve car security is to invest in a car alarm system. You could also consider other anti-theft devices such as tyre clamps or steering wheel locks. These measures will help to deter thieves and protect your vehicle.
It is also important not to leave valuables in your car, or to keep them out of sight if you must leave them. This includes items such as laptops, wallets, phones, and sunglasses. Additionally, try not to leave anything in your car that has your home address on it, as this could lead to further issues if your car is broken into.
Finally, make sure to keep your car insurance and roadside assistance up to date. This way, you can be covered in case of a break-in or other car-related issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Your first concern after a car break-in is your personal safety. Check your surroundings and, if you feel unsafe, go back inside or to a nearby public place with high foot traffic.
Contact the police, even if nothing was stolen. You will need an incident number if you intend to make an insurance claim. If the police can't attend, you may need to visit a local station and file a report yourself. Take photos of the car at the scene and make a list of what was damaged or stolen.
Present your driver's license, vehicle registration, insurance information, and a description of what was damaged or stolen. If there are witnesses or security cameras nearby, ask around or check the footage to help identify the culprit.
Call your bank immediately to cancel your cards and place a fraud alert. Check your vehicle logbooks and ensure there is nothing that could be used to link the stolen items to your house.
This depends on the damage and the value of the stolen items. If the damage is minor and nothing valuable was taken, a small claim could lead to a higher premium later. Comprehensive car insurance covers break-ins, but other types of insurance may not.
