Car Insurance Protects Against Theft And Vandalism

There's nothing quite like the sinking feeling of walking out to your car to find it's no longer there. Or, going out and finding it damaged or the contents inside it gone. Car theft, burglary and vandalism, it seems, are a fact of life in this crazy world. Whether it's damage done by a professional or a bored teenager looking to score a new CD at a five-finger discount, sometimes this damage is covered by your car insurance policy.

Depending on the type of insurance you have and the details of the crime, theft, burglary and vandalism will be covered. Here's what to do:
* Even if it's a minor theft, call the police. You will need a report, most likely, to file a claim. Plus, the police need to know activity is happening in the area where the crime took place so they can try and catch those responsible.
* The next call should be to your insurance company. Let them know what happened. They'll be able to inform you if your policy covers the type of damage that took place. In general, those with full coverage will find most circumstances are taken care of, but missing items might not be. If this is the case, check with your renter's or homeowner's insurance company for possible coverage.
* Do not move or touch the vehicle before the police arrive (unless it's in a traffic zone and has to be removed).
* In the case of an outright auto theft, have a good description of the car and its tag number ready for the police.
* Find the receipts, if possible, for items missing from the vehicle. This one is almost never easy to accomplish, but if you start keeping a file or folder of the major purchases you make from here on out, you'll be covered down the road. This is a good practice to get into for any items purchased for the car, home and even the office. It's often necessary to "prove" you own the items you say have been stolen. Even if your car insurance doesn't cover theft of items, your homeowners or renter's insurance policy might. Having the receipts can greatly help in the claims process.

It's not something anyone expects, but car theft, vandalism and burglary do happen. The chances for this can be reduced by employing anti-theft systems, parking in lighted areas and remembering to lock doors. Don't forget to remove any valuables from sight when you leave the vehicle, as well. There's no guarantee that a car won't be the target of a crime, but taking a few steps in the direction of prevention can really lessen the chances.