What to do if your car has been stolen

The moment you realise your car is gone is shocking. Whether it’s taken while parked or hijacked, the situation can catch you completely off guard and leave you unsure of what to do next. However, acting quickly can significantly improve the chances of recovering your car. So, here’s what we recommend you do.

Contact your tracking company
Contact your vehicle tracking company immediately so that they can initiate their stolen vehicle recovery processes. They will then guide you on what happens next.

File a report with SAPS
You are lawfully required to open a case at the closest or most convenient police station. Make sure that the police know that your car has a tracking device, so they can work with your vehicle tracking company to track it. Official documentation is necessary for your tracking company and law enforcement to complete the tracking, recovery and return of your car, and is required for legal purposes and insurance claims. When you notify the police, make sure you have the following important information on hand: make, model, year and colour of the vehicle, registration, the Vehicle Identification Number/ VIN (if possible), your ID or passport number, as well as a detailed description of the incident.

Contact your insurance provider
Timely notification is essential to begin the insurance claims process. They might require details from the police report, so have that information handy. They’ll guide you on next steps and any documents you’ll need to submit.

Safeguard your personal information
Stolen personal identification or financial details can lead to identity theft or unauthorised transactions. Contact your bank and the Department of Home Affairs to stop cards, freeze accounts or take precautionary steps against fraud.

Change your locks
If other keys and remotes were in the car, the security of your home, business or other cars might be compromised. We advise changing the locks and remote signals, or blocking access cards, especially if your home or office address details were in the car, e.g. saved on the navigation system.

Counselling or emotional support
Following a traumatic event, it can take time to recover your emotional equilibrium. Talking to friends or family about the experience can help. But sometimes the best response is to get assistance from a mental health professional or counsellor.

Beware of scams
Unfortunately, car theft can attract opportunistic scammers. After your car is stolen, you could be contacted by someone claiming to have found your car or offering to return it, but only if you pay a “release fee”. If you are being asked for money for airtime, towing or to release your car, it is a scam. Be similarly wary of anyone requesting more information about your car or the incident. Make sure you’re speaking with your insurer, the police, or your tracking service company before sharing any information.