How to File a Car Insurance Claim if Your Car is Stolen

A mixture of feelings bubbles up inside you if you ever discover your car has been stolen. At first, your mind refuses to believe that your car is gone; you look around, certain that you must have parked it elsewhere. At that moment, you may feel lost – but don’t panic. With First for Women car insurance, we make your car insurance claim as easy as possible given the stressful situation. We will help you through every step of the process.

4 Reasons why you need to make a car insurance claim

If you own a car and are often on the road, the chances are fairly high that you might need to make a car insurance claim at some point.

There are four key reasons why you would need to make a claim:

• Your car is stolen

• Your car is vandalised or damaged

• Your car is damaged by an element of nature

• Your car is involved in an accident or collision

Your insurer will be able to help you, depending on the type of car insurance cover you have taken out. First for Women, for instance, has several car insurance options. Comprehensive car insurance is a policy that will cover you in all four scenarios. It is an all-encompassing cover for loss, theft and damage concerning your car. 

Third-party, fire and theft insurance will allow you to make a car insurance claim if your car has been stolen, if it is damaged in a fire, or if you have been in an accident where a third party has suffered damage. However, you will not be covered for damages to your own car. Third-party only car insurance will only cover you if you are in an accident that was your fault and you need to cover the costs of damages made to another vehicle.

Remember that timing is important. When making a car insurance claim, it is important to make your claim as soon as possible. Any claims made later than 30 days after the incident occurred cannot be processed.

Car theft in South Africa

Having insurance for vehicles isn’t a luxury; it is an essential part of car ownership, no matter where you live in the world, but, in South Africa, it is particularly important because of the high number of car thefts. In 2020 / 2021[1], a year when Covid19 lockdowns occurred and crime was generally lower, there were about 83,000 car thefts and 64,000 car hijackings in the country.

According to the South African Insurance Crime Bureau (SAICB), R8,5 million worth of vehicles[2] are stolen or hijacked every year, with many being cloned or crossing the border to neighbouring countries. Car-jamming has also become increasingly common, with many drivers unaware that their cars have not been locked when they leave them.

Those who live in urban areas are particularly at risk. Most carjackings[3] occur in Gauteng, followed by KwaZulu Natal. Sedans and hatchbacks are the vehicles most targeted by criminals, with bakkies also often selected. The number of SUVs stolen is rising as well. The brands that criminals priortise are VW and Toyota. No matter how serious the statistics look, having car insurance allows you to prepare for every eventuality, helping you to cope with the financial fallout that comes with the loss of a vehicle.

Follow these steps if your car has been stolen

If your car has been stolen, you will probably be in a panic. But try to keep calm and go through this list of steps. They will help you process your auto claim as easy as possible.  

1. Activate your tracking device

If you have a vehicle tracking device fitted in your car, one of the first things you should do is contact the supplier to activate it. You never know; they may be able to recover your car before it goes too far. 

2. Report the theft to the police

The sooner you contact the police to report a stolen car, the better. Sometimes stolen vehicles can be used to commit other crimes, so you should report it stolen as quickly as possible. You will have to go to a police station to report the crime and fill in paperwork to open a case. 

You will need:

• your driver’s licence

• vehicle registration details

• the make, model and colour of your vehicle

• the vehicle identification number (VIN)

You should also tell the police if your car has any distinguishable features, like dents or modifications.

3. Get a case number

Once you have filled in a police report, take the time to read through it again to make sure that everything is correct. Also, take note of the name and position of the police officer who is helping you. Ask the officer to make a certified copy of the report, as you will need to give this to your insurer. The officer will give you a case number. This is very important information that you must keep safe as it is needed to make a car insurance claim.

4. Notify your insurer

Now is the time to contact your insurer to file a car insurance claim. They will ask for information similar to that given to the police, as well as the case number and the certified copy of the police report.

5. Allow the claim to be processed

Once you have filed a car insurance claim at First for Women, you will be assigned a claim number. A consultant will be assigned to assist you and provide you with all the details and updates on the progress of your claim.

Get comprehensive car insurance from First for Women

For an easy, smooth-sailing car insurance process, contact First for Women and get a car insurance quote today. Our trained consultants are ready to answer any questions you may still have and help you find the policy best suited to your individual needs.

Sources:

[1] Stats SA: Experience of crime in SA dropped over 2020/2021

[2] Tracker: Vehicle crime in South Africa

[3] BusinessTech: Hijackers target these vehicles in South Africa