Car break-ins are unfortunately becoming more common in our region of Montgomery and Bucks Counties. We speak to many clients who mention that they’ve had to consciously change their habits over the last several years. They can no longer leave their cars unlocked overnight at home, leave windows down at the soccer field, or leave their bags in the car while they drop kids off at daycare.
No one likes to think about their quiet neighborhood or community being a place where crime happens, but unfortunately, it does. While crime remains low in this region of Southeastern PA, especially violent crime, things like vehicle theft and break-ins are gaining in frequency. If you have never had the misfortune of having your car vandalized or broken into, get familiar with the process now so that you can handle an incident quickly and correctly.
What Should I Do First After a Car Break-in?
The very first thing to do when you realize someone broke into your car is to call the police and file a report. Always insist on this, even if the police say that it is not necessary. Your insurance company requires this for your coverage.
After you call the police, take pictures of the damage, areas inside the car that were clearly gone through, the rest of the car, and a few pictures of the location. Write down notes about the circumstances:
- What time did it happen and why was the car there?
- Who drove the car and did anyone witness the break-in?
- Was the car locked, was there an alarm, and were any windows open?
- What items were stolen, and what was damaged during the incident?
- Are there any cameras in the area that might have recorded the incident?
Once you have a police report, pictures, and notes, call your insurance agent to file a claim. The claims process will move along smoothly if you gather all of this documentation before moving the car. If you have car insurance and homeowners or renters insurance through two different agents, you will need to call them both.
What is Covered Under My Insurance Polices?
Your auto insurance will cover the damage to your car, including broken glass, body damage, scratches, and lock damage. You will need to pay your deductible, but insurance will cover the rest of the cost of repairs.
Your homeowners or renters insurance will cover your personal property inside the car after the deductible is met. Taking notes on what was stolen as soon as it happens is very important so that you remember what is missing during your claim. Insurance will cover handbags, backpacks, laptops, golf clubs, anything just purchased from a store that’s still in the bag, and more. Phones are not always covered, or may have limited coverage in this case. If you have Identity Theft coverage on your homeowners policy, this will kick in to protect you if your license, laptop, credit cards, and checkbook are stolen.
Some auto policies do offer up to $500 of personal property insurance. Additionally, some insurance carriers will only apply one deductible if you have both your home and auto insurance with them. These are things to discuss with your insurance agent when you review your coverage and what discounts are available.
Minimize Vehicle Break-ins and Property Loss
Even though it’s important to know what to do in the event of a break-in, it’s also a good idea to try to avoid them from the outset. Park your car in a safe place as often as possible. Consider the lighting, number of people, and presence of security cameras in the location. While it may feel more comfortable to park on a quiet side street than a busy main street, the amount of traffic and activity on the busier street will reduce the chance of a break-in.
Always close all the windows, lock the car, and activate your alarm if you have one. Hide anything that is or looks valuable in a spot that can’t be seen by someone casing the car. Thieves will assume that laptops are inside a backpack or briefcase, so don’t leave those sitting in view. Take a good look at your surroundings before moving valuables to your trunk so that you don’t accidentally broadcast to thieves where your items will be. Finally, leave as much as possible at home if you won’t have it on your person outside the car.
Crime prevention is a great step in protecting your belongings, but having the right insurance coverage allows you to recover the value of your losses when your car is burglarized. At Smyrl Insurance, we ask questions that help us determine your home or car’s vulnerability to break-ins, and we help you secure the best policies for your circumstances. We educate, nurture, and empower people through insurance to proactively reduce risk and to respond to adverse events with clarity. Contact us to review your current policies and to learn more about the best coverage for your circumstances. We work with individuals for home, auto, life, liability, and other insurance needs in Hatfield, Lansdale, Souderton, Harleysville, and throughout Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.