More thefts reported Car was stolen: What to do now
11.09.2024, 19:28 Listen to article
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Help, my car is gone! If you are sure that it has not just been towed away, you need to contact a few places immediately – a step-by-step guide for those affected.
Last year, more cars were stolen again – even significantly more than in 2022. This is according to statistics from the German Insurance Association (GDV). Has this happened to you too? These are the first steps to report the theft:
Step 1: Contact the police
If it is not possible that the car was towed away, the suspected theft should be reported to the police immediately and a police report should be filed, advises the ADAC. The car will then be put out as a wanted notice. Important: You will need a copy of the report for the insurance company and the traffic department.
The traffic experts at ADAC recommend that you only provide information about the car that you actually know when you report it – for example, do not just estimate the current mileage.
If it is possible that the car was just parked in a no-parking zone and was therefore confiscated, the police are also the right people to contact to find out.
Step 2: Block your cell phone and credit cards
Do you remember everything that was in the car? This is important if, for example, smartphones and payment cards have been lost. They must now be blocked immediately.
Step 3: Report loss to insurance company and bank
The insurance company should be informed immediately about the theft, preferably in writing according to the ADAC. According to the German Insurance Association (GDV), the insurance company will subsequently need the following documents in order to be able to cover the damage:
- Copy of the police report
- Vehicle keys and documents
- Deregistration certificate from the registration office (see also step 4)
- Written notification of damage by the customer
- Information on the value of the vehicle
Anyone who leased the stolen car or financed it with the help of a bank should also inform them now.
Step 4: Deregister your car
The stolen car must be deregistered at the road traffic authority. According to the ADAC, this requires a copy of the theft report and the vehicle registration document and license (registration certificate parts 1 and 2). This step should be done no later than 14 days after the theft so that you do not have to pay any further vehicle taxes and insurance premiums.
