Tips: How to find your lost car? And keep it from thieves?
Every driver is afraid that his car will be stolen. Every 20 seconds, attackers thieve vehicles. If you didn’t find your vehicle where you left it, then every minute counts. How quickly you find a vehicle depends on the efficiency of your actions. What steps should you take after you think “my car is missing”?
Make sure if your car is really missing
Ensure that the car is not with your spouse or other loved one who has access to the vehicle before contacting the police. You will be surprised how often the vehicle is reported stolen when the wife drove her shopping.
If you can’t find your lost car in a parking lot, check the correct parking space. In large parking, lots of people often forget where they left their vehicle. Besides, the car could have been evacuated due to improper parking. Call the special services number to see if your vehicle has been evacuated.
What if car is missing?
After you are convinced that your vehicle has been driven away for sure, call the police. If the dispatcher did not find the license plate in the database, then the worst fears will most likely be confirmed. But this is still not a reason to panic. What are the steps to take to find a lost car?
- Tell the dispatcher exactly where you left the automobile, color, and unique characteristics, the amount of gasoline in the tank at the time of the robbery. It is essential to call the police as soon as probable if a child or dog is left in the auto. It will help to get a complete picture and start your search immediately. Next, you will be asked to stay put and wait for the police.
- Do not waste time and look for where the surveillance camera could be located while waiting for the policemen to arrive. There are usually cameras in cafes, restaurants, banks, and shops nearby. Ask the staff of the establishment if their cell does not cover the area you need. If so, then inform the policemen about it, and they will get a video. Security camera data can make a significant contribution to finding your missing car.
- Talk to the staff of nearby establishments; perhaps someone saw something suspicious. Remember, the more information you collect, the more likely you are to return the automobile.
- If the auto is equipped with a satellite signaling, the lost car search is more likely to succeed. Besides, the cop also must be warned about this system.
- You definitely need to report the loss of your auto to the insurance company. The operator should explain how to proceed and what papers to collect to obtain insurance if the missing car is not found. That is why you should not leave your insurance documents in the glove compartment of your auto. It will greatly complicate the operation of obtaining compensation from the insurance company.
- Describe the situation in detail and tell everything that you managed to find out to the policeman who arrived at the crime scene. Every minor detail will help with the search for your lost car.
- You will most likely be directed to the nearest police station for a formal statement after your initial investigative steps. Сlear up who will be investigating the case and get a control card from the police officer. Moreover, an official statement will serve as a kind of guarantee that the insurance company will not refuse to pay compensation.
- You will be asked to provide your information, registration number, and color of the thieves auto on the application. Its data is necessary to find a missing car as quickly as possible. The statement will also include the following questions: When, where, and from whom did you buy the auto? Who, besides you, had the right to drive the automobile? Vehicle mileage and the amount of fuel in the tank at the time of disappearance? Have you ever gone to your automobile documents? What alarms are installed, if any? What marks are there on the main parts and assemblies? Be ready to answer these questions as honestly and thoroughly as possible. Also, special characteristics involve the make and model of the auto radio (speakers, amplifiers), airbrushing, scratches, and another injury to the body, its repair (painting, removing dents). Moreover, it is essential to remember what things or objects were in the cabin and trunk at the time of the loss of the automobile.
- Take a certificate of theft and go to the insurance company after you draw up a statement and answer all questions from the policeman. You will also have to make a statement at the insurance company. Moreover, it must be done as quickly as possible. If the policeman does not find your auto for a few months and close the case, you will be reimbursed for compensation according to your insurance policy.
You need get attention to find a lost car
Usually, the car is not taken far away after the theft. It is because the hijackers assume a worst-case scenario if the hijacking is reported immediately. There are 3 minutes to drive the car until the information reaches the mobile police crews. You need to overtake and hide the car without attracting attention during this time. If you lost a car, it is vital to inform the police and city residents as soon as possible. The more people know that your vehicle was stolen, the more chances that the car will be noticed and found somewhere.
Use site for find missing car
Some sites help people with the search for missing people, things, and documents. If you are wondering how to help the police find a lost car, use similar sites. Moreover, you can report the loss on social media to maximize the dissemination of information.
You can announce a reward for information about the location of the vehicle. It is a common tactic that helps if your car is missing.
Five tips on how not to lost your car and protected it from theft
- You can equip your car not only with an alarm but also with a mechanical anti-theft device. Systems are installed on modern vehicles that are capable of blocking the gearbox. It will not save your car from being stolen, but it will become another obstacle in the way of an intruder.
- You must have insurance. Many insurances compensate for losses associated with cars. Besides, you will be less worried about asking yourself how to find a lost car if you have insurance.
- Rewrite and keep with you as much information as possible about your car, including the engine and body serial numbers. You will have to register the theft of the vehicle. They will definitely come in handy.
- Do not leave the car unattended open and do not provoke criminals with valuable things, leaving them in the cabin.
- Try to park in safe, preferably guarded parking lots. Then choose a place not far from the surveillance cameras if there are no such in the vicinity.
If your car is stolen, immediately call the police. Do not waste time. You reduce the chances of finding a lost car with every second missing. Immediately report to the insurance company after you have reported to the police. The main thing is not to worry about this so much. Unfortunately, this can happen to anyone. The chances that your car will be found are great enough.