That dreaded day has come! You walk over to the spot where you parked your car, and it’s not there—it’s been stolen. A wave of panic washes over you as you take in the scene.
According to the latest quarterly crime statistics for the fourth quarter of 2023/24, the South African Police Service (SAPS) noted that 10,776 cars were hijacked over the six months. This means that approximately 60 vehicles are stolen daily in South Africa, which is very alarming and a reminder that vehicle theft can happen to anyone.
In a situation like this, you can easily find yourself feeling overwhelmed and incapable of taking action. This is why it is important to stay informed on what the best plan of action is in the case of this unfortunate event. With a systematic plan in place, you will be in a better position to take action. It is this forward planning that could lead to the recovery of your stolen vehicle.
If ever you find yourself in a situation where your vehicle has been stolen, it is vital to act swiftly. It is the actions you take in the next few hours that will determine how quickly your vehicle is recovered and how smoothly the bureaucratic process will be.
Here are three steps to follow if your vehicle gets stolen:
In the case of a stolen vehicle, one of the first people to contact is the vehicle tracking company your car is covered with. Depending on their unique offering, they can track, locate and even recover your vehicle. In some cases, the provider will have measures put into place that allow them to pre-emptively know when your vehicle has been stolen, in this case, they may contact you to verify if they should send out a recovery team or not.
A vehicle tracking unit like the one we offer at Cartrack has many safety features that can detect whether a vehicle has been tampered with or stolen. Our control room team will call to confirm the event and once reported, we can provide real-time updates on the recovery team's progress and your car’s whereabouts.
It’s vital you report the theft of your vehicle at the police station nearest to where your car was stolen. This will accelerate the reporting process and provide you with a police report that can be used for insurance purposes.
Before heading over to your local station, make sure you’ve got all the necessary vehicle registration information. Here’s a useful list of the details to have:
Once you’ve filled out the police forms, ensure you take a photo of the document on your phone, or ask the policeman to make a photocopy for you. This will be necessary for insurance purposes.
Also, make note of the police officer’s name and rank—this will be beneficial if you need to remain in contact with that official. Keep your case number safe, you’ll need it whenever you need information on the progress of your case.
Alert your insurer about your situation as soon as you can. The quicker you make contact; the sooner they can initiate your claim.
When you contact your insurer, have your police case number on hand, together with details like your car’s make, model, and registration number. They may also request a copy of the police report.
Reaching out early allows your insurer more time to sort out your claim faster. Having all this information ready for them speeds up the process. If you have a car allowance as part of your insurance policy, your insurer will assign you a vehicle to use in the meantime until your vehicle is either replaced or recovered. This is a perk to ease the stress and make the process more convenient.
While no car is completely theft-proof, taking preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of theft. It is the little things that you do that can make all the difference and deter criminals from considering your vehicle as a target.
Here are 8 things you can do to reduce the risk:
Car theft can have a significant emotional and financial impact on victims. It can lead to stress, anxiety, and inconvenience. The financial cost of replacing a stolen car, including insurance deductibles and increased insurance premiums, can be substantial.
If you don’t have vehicle insurance and your vehicle gets stolen it will leave you with a big financial burden to carry. You will bear the entirety of the cost of replacing your car.
If you used a bank loan to purchase the car and it gets stolen, you will still be liable to pay off the outstanding balance. This can be financially devastating, leaving you in a worse off position than before where you are paying off a vehicle you no longer own.
Law enforcement agencies play a crucial role in combating car theft. They investigate car thefts, apprehend suspects, and recover stolen vehicles. However, they rely on the public's cooperation to be effective. If you witness a car theft or have information about a stolen vehicle, report it to the police immediately.
In a bid to combat vehicle theft and hijacking, many new innovations are being considered and developed. Some of the latest innovations include:
By staying informed, taking preventive measures, and working with law enforcement, we can all contribute to reducing car theft and making our communities safer.
Investing in an efficient vehicle tracker like Cartrack is more than just a safety precaution—it’s a wise choice that ensures your overall peace of mind. Cartrack is proud to hold an impressive approximate 90% recovery rate of stolen cars.
With a Cartrack tracking system installed in your car, our air and ground team can effectively recover your vehicle. If you’re interested in installing a tracker or want advice on vehicle tracking and recovery, just fill out this form, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Don’t leave the safety of your car up to chance—invest in Cartrack today and stay a step ahead of vehicle theft.
Dealing with a stolen vehicle is challenging. Learn what to do before and after the event, what to expect from your service provider and law enforcement, and how to mitigate potential issues.
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