{"id":8010,"date":"2022-12-28T18:13:01","date_gmt":"2022-12-28T18:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veloxinsurance.com\/?p=8010"},"modified":"2023-11-07T16:24:50","modified_gmt":"2023-11-07T16:24:50","slug":"what-to-do-when-your-car-is-stolen-in-ga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veloxinsurance.com\/blog\/what-to-do-when-your-car-is-stolen-in-ga\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do When Your Car Is Stolen in Georgia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Being a Georgia car owner can be stressful. There\u2019s the traffic, the commuting, and keeping up with your car insurance<\/a>. But none of that compares to the disaster of finding out that your car was stolen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When the worst happens, don\u2019t panic. Read these simple steps to take when your car is stolen in Georgia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Finding out that your car was stolen can be emotionally shocking, especially since many people don\u2019t realize how important their car is until it\u2019s gone. First, make sure that your car was in fact stolen \u2014 it could have been towed, someone you know may have borrowed it, or you might simply have forgotten where you parked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you know for sure that someone stole your car, try to stay calm and collected throughout the process. Remember that the police and insurance company are on your side \u2014 they want you to recover your car as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Call Georgia Law Enforcement to Report Your Vehicle Stolen<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step you should take when your car is stolen in Georgia is to file a police report. Be prepared to provide information such as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n After you file a police report, call your car insurance company as soon as possible \u2014 ideally no more than 24 hours after you notice your car was stolen. To make a claim<\/a>, you\u2019ll likely need to include a copy of the police report. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you talk to your insurance company, aim to be as detailed as possible. There can be a lot to remember when reporting the theft, so write down important facts before you forget them. If the insurance company notices any inconsistencies between your claim in the police report (even unintentional ones), they\u2019ll likely flag your claim for further investigation. This means that it\u2019ll take longer to process your claim<\/a> and get your check. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that only comprehensive insurance will cover you if your car is stolen. The minimum required liability insurance in Georgia only covers accidents that are your fault, and collision insurance<\/a> doesn\u2019t cover events like theft or vandalism. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to ensure your car is always fully covered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While comprehensive insurance will help protect the financial value of your car, coverage doesn\u2019t extend to any personal belongings inside the car when it was stolen. That means your laptop, phone, purse, or portable GPS device will be excluded by the insurance company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The good news is that if you have homeowners or renters insurance, it should cover stolen items (yet another reason why Georgia renters insurance is such a good idea<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you financed or leased your car, you should call the financing and leasing company to explain what happened. If your car is not covered, you\u2019ll still be on the hook to pay off your auto loan, which is why lenders often require you to carry full coverage insurance<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll also want to contact your banks and credit card companies to let them know about potential fraud. Vehicle registrations and other items that contain personal information can be used for identity theft. And, of course, you\u2019ll also want to cancel any cards that were in your car when it was stolen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you complete all the steps above, you\u2019ve done all the right things about reporting your stolen car in Georgia. In the meantime, focus on short-term arrangements, such as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your car insurance reimburses you for rental vehicles, ask them whether you need to use specific rental companies or get a certain car type. Also, ask how your existing car insurance will cover your rental<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, it may be a good idea to start shopping for a car. If your car can\u2019t be recovered, the insurance company will send you a check for the current value of your car (up to the policy limits<\/a>) minus your deductible. For instance, if you have a comprehensive insurance policy with a limit of $20,000 and a deductible of $1,000, then you\u2019ll get up to $19,000 in compensation. Usually, this payment is sent directly to your financing or leasing company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you recover your car or receive a payout, make sure to keep your comprehensive and collision insurance<\/a> active. Unfortunately, there\u2019s no guarantee this will be the only time someone targets your car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you didn\u2019t already have comprehensive insurance, now is the time to get it! While your policy won\u2019t help you with your recent theft, the last thing you want is to pay for yet another replacement vehicle. Comprehensive insurance can literally save you thousands in the long run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re fortunate enough to recover your car, it\u2019s important to immediately contact your insurance company, lender, and the police. If you\u2019re in the middle of making an insurance claim, you\u2019ll want to stop the process so that you can get reimbursed for any damage to your recovered car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your car is found after you get your insurance payout, the insurance company becomes the legal owner of your vehicle \u2014 though in most cases, you have the option to buy it back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you hit the road again, search your vehicle carefully for any items that aren\u2019t yours. Also, ensure that your registration and Georgia liability insurance are still active. After all the stress, you don\u2019t want to get caught driving without insurance<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n You can\u2019t always stop a thief from taking your car, but you can protect yourself from the financial pain that comes afterward. At Velox Insurance, we work with drivers all over Georgia to get the insurance they need at the best price. All it takes is a few minutes for a\u00a0Stay Calm if Someone Steals Your Ride in GA <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Call Your Car Insurance Company <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Georgians Should Call Their Homeowners or Renters Insurance Company <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Call Your Car Financing Company and Banks <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Have a Plan for Short Term Transportation <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Keep Your Georgia Insurance Policies Active <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What If My Stolen Car is Recovered? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Get Affordable Car Insurance to Protect Your Vehicle in the Peach State <\/h2>\r\n