Houston Locksmith: A List Of Steps To Take If Someone Breaks Into Your Car
Nothing is more disheartening than finding out that someone broke into your vehicle. Sadly, it is something that happens every day. It can be hard to know what steps to take after a break-in. The following list should help:
1. Evaluate your vehicle and document any damage.
The minute that you notice that your car has been broken into, you should start recording evidence. Don’t touch the outside of your vehicle or disturb the scene. Instead, get out a camera and start taking pictures of any damage that you notice. If you don’t have a camera with you, write down all of the details that you see. Be sure to include notes on any type of damage and a list of items that you believe were stolen from the car. Be as detailed as possible with this list. By writing down as much information as you can, there is a greater likelihood that your insurance company will pay out on your claim.
2. File a police report.
Contact the police to let them know about the break-in. Typically, they will send an officer out to the scene so that they can examine the vehicle in person. Oftentimes, they will also help you file a police report. In some cases, however, you may need to visit the police station to file the report yourself. If you live in a city that requires you to file the report at the station, avoid driving the damaged vehicle. Instead, get a ride from a friend or contact a cab, leaving the scene of the break-in completely intact. In order to file the report, you will usually need to present your driver’s license along with information about your vehicles such as your insurance card, your car registration, and a detailed list of items that you believe were damaged or taken.
3. Stop identity thieves before they have a chance to act.
If the person who broke into your vehicle managed to get their hands on information about your identity, you will need to take steps to protect yourself from identity theft. Every year, close to 18 million people in the US alone have their identities stolen. The best way to keep this from happening is by contacting the credit bureaus to place a fraud alert or a freeze on your account. You can always hire an automotive locksmith to help ensure the security of your vehicle with many services they offer.
4. Contact your insurance company.
If the damage is severe enough or if you had valuable items stolen, you will need to contact your insurance company to file a claim. When deciding whether or not to involve your insurance company, think about the amount of your deductible. If your deductible is higher than the value of the damage or the value of the items that were stolen, it may not be worth filing a claim. If the value is higher, however, you should definitely let your insurance company know. Be sure to provide them with the number of the police report. Give them a detailed description of the event, as well. They can provide you with instructions on having your vehicle repaired. If you need to have it re-keyed, contact the best car locksmith Houston has to offer to do the work for you.
Going through a break-in once is bad enough. To avoid future incidents, try taking the following steps:
* Always park in a well-lit area.
* Avoid parking your car and leaving it for days.
* Always make sure the doors of your vehicle are locked.
* Check your windows to make sure that they are rolled up.
* Don’t keep valuables in sight in your vehicle.