What should you do if your car gets stolen?

Saturday, 14 July, 2007 by121motor

Car thefts are classified under property crimes. In Malaysia, car thefts have gone up over the past 10 years.

There is always risk a car gets stolen these days, no matter where you park your car. Vehicles can get stolen from parking lots in shopping complexes, hotels, office buildings and public car parks, especially if you are driving the cars the bad guys prefer. Car parts that fetch a premium on the market are also an invitation for thieves to steal. Do not be surprise if your car parked in your home can also disappear although car thefts are more likely to occur on isolated or unattended parking spots and on dark and quiet streets.

Here are the steps to be taken if your car is stolen.

a) Stay calm, do not panic.

b) Contact the police immediately the moment you discover your vehicle is stolen and file a stolen vehicle report at the relevant municipal traffic police station. Most people do not realize that speed is essential in recovering stolen cars and any delay in reporting will only help the thieves. Any unreasonable delays will also prejudice the incident. The quicker you make a report, the quicker the police officers can locate your vehicle before it is stripped. Bring along the “Perakuan Pendaftaran Kenderaan” from JPJ, state the location of all keys to the vehicle before and after the theft, names and contact information of everyone who has access to the vehicle and other necessary information.

c) Your car registration and insurance information should always be kept in a safe place. If you equipped your car with some unique market items such as stereos, wheels, keep the receipts and serial number handy as well. This is also a quick method for you to relay information to law enforcement to facilities the recovery of your car. If you have a picture of your car, present it in the report as well.

d) Once you have filed your stolen vehicle report to the police, contact your insurance agency. Your insurance agency cannot process a claim for the stolen vehicle unless you file and after which, buy the police report which cost no more than RM4.00. Remember to get the receipt as well.

e) Report stolen items with your car, such as the Smart Tag and other personal property, if additional coverage for these properties were bought.

f) Report to your finance or leasing company if the stolen car is financed or leased.

g) In the event you locate your car after filing the police report, be cautious as the thief may be nearby. Contact the police right away and do not touch or move the car in order to preserve evidence. Remember if you do recover your car but fail to contact the police, your car will continue to be listed stolen and you may be stopped by the police if seen driving the car.

A stolen car can cause a big dent in your day, although your car may be recoverable. Therefore, it is advisable to take preventive measures to deter the thieves of their attempt to steal your vehicle. Always think ahead and be prepared. Prevent car theft, avoid the procedures and hassle if your car gets stolen, and most important of all, to prevent wastage of time and resources.