What to do With a Car Break-in?
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that 873,080 auto thefts occurred in 2020. This reflects a 9.2% increase over 2019. Some factors included as possible reasons for the increase include an economic downturn, loss of juvenile outreach programs, and public safety resource limitations. Not only is vehicle break-in prevalent, it's costly. The importance of understanding your insurance and whether it covers car break-ins is more important than ever.
Types of Costs Incurred During Vehicle Break-ins
- Auto-body damage . Damage to the exterior and interior of the vehicle from attempts to enter or vandalize
- Ignition. Attempts to start the vehicle can result in damage to the ignition and/or steering column
- Glass Breakage. Breaking the glass is a common way to quickly gain entry to the vehicle
- Components. Tires, rims, stereo systems, and other removable components of a vehicle are often a target of vehicle theft.
- Personal Belongings. Personal items left in plain view are an easy target for car break-ins.
Any one of these costs, or all of them, might be the result of a vehicle break-in. Even with an arrest and conviction, the odds of recouping your losses from the responsible party are very slim. Your insurance may be able to help.
Insurance Coverage for Car Break-Ins
Coverage for vehicle break-ins falls under the comprehensive coverage section of your auto insurance policy. This coverage may also be subject to a deductible. Comprehensive coverage must be in force on your policy and the damage must exceed your deductible for your auto insurance to be of assistance.
Your auto insurance will not be of help for any items that are not permanently attached to your vehicle. This would include items like laptops, cellphones, clothes, or anything loose in your vehicle. Fortunately, you're not completely out of luck. Your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy may provide coverage for theft of personal property. The amount of personal property stolen will have to exceed your deductible before it can help.
What to Do After a Car Break-In
First, contact your local law enforcement to report the break-in. If there is damage, contact your insurance agent to discuss the possibility of coverage under your auto and/or personal property policy. Lastly, secure your vehicle from further damage from the elements and additional break-ins.
At Prolocksmith, we can help you recover from a car break-in with
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