Fallen prey to automobile theft? Don't panic!

One of the worst things that can happen to you is having your vehicle being stolen. But as long as you know how to react in that situation of misery, you will have a higher possibility of getting your vehicle back. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, 14,668 vehicles were stolen in the Capital in 2014. Vehicle thefts constitute 15% of all crimes committed in the city. Delhi accounts for 9.7% of vehicle thefts in India, second only to much larger Uttar Pradesh (14.1%) and Maharashtra (12.7%). Having a full insurance coverage may seem as a consolation when you find out that your vehicle is no more around. The full insurance coverage reimburses you for the car theft after going through several tedious procedures.



Before jumping into any conclusions make sure that you really have lost your vehicle. Don't panic when you step outside the mall or from your office and come to the spot where you thought you would have left your vehicle is vacant. You might have actually parked somewhere else and forgotten that. Go around and look for it. If you still can't find your vehicle then you can consider it being stolen.
Here are a few things that you can take care of, if you had fallen prey to an automobile theft.



Report it to the Police – The sooner you realize that your vehicle is gone the better the results. Seeking the help of the Police force is the first step. You will have to provide them with your vehicle's registration number, make, model and color in order to file the complaint. After the Police visits the site where the theft has taken place the FIR will be charged. Do not forget the fact that you can avail a copy of the FIR for any future references. Make sure that you provide the authorities with reliable and correct information.

Inform the RTO – Register a complaint with the RT office regarding the theft and also if you have lost your RC book along with the vehicle, this may be the appropriate time to apply for a new one. Document all the complaints filed and keep a record of it.

Contact your insurance provider – Once you have the law enforcement department working on your stolen vehicle, the next thing that you are supposed to do is to get in touch with your insurance company within 24 hours of the theft. You will be given a claim form from the insurance company in order to get the amount reimbursed. Fill it cautiously with no room for mistakes. Along with the claim form attach the following documents as well:
A copy of the FIR
Driving License Copy
Insurance policy certificate copy
A copy of the registration certificate
Documents showing the details of the complaint registered with the RTO regarding the stolen vehicle.



Constant Follow up – Regular visits or phone calls of inquiry to the Police station is necessary. If at all you feel that your complaint is not being moved any further you are bestowed with the liberty of the Right to Information Act. Within 30 days you will get a solution to all your queries regarding the stolen vehicle. If no clue has been available even after 6 months of investigation then the next step is to get a non/drivable/ non-traceable certificate from them. Submit this certificate at your insurance company in order to claim your money. Keep in touch with the police and insurance company on the status of your vehicle.

Reimbursing the claim – Only after you have submitted the Letter of indemnity Bond and Subrogation letter, the discharge voucher form authorized authority, the original RC book, RT forms showing your approval that the stolen vehicle can be transferred to the insurance company's name and the car keys, will the insurance company provide you with the claimed amount. The declared insurance value will be handed over to you or to your financing company if there has been any outstanding loan on the vehicle.

Your vehicle would have been your dream come true purchase as a lot of work has been put into acquiring it. So guard your possession carefully from potential thugs.