Immediate Steps
Don't touch anything before you document it
Before you reach in, move glass, or grab your belongings — photograph everything. The broken window, how entry was made (pried door, smashed quarter window, unlocked door), the interior as left, any tools they abandoned. This is your insurance evidence. Take more photos than you think you need.
Call police and file a report
Even if your neighborhood has rampant break-ins and police tell you they won't investigate, you need a police report. Your insurance company requires a case number to process a claim. Call the non-emergency line if you're not in danger. Get the responding officer's name and badge number, and ask specifically for the case or incident number.
Make a complete list of what was taken
Go through every compartment: glove box, center console, under seats, trunk. Include: valuables, cables and chargers, registration documents, garage door openers, toll transponders, any spare keys. Note approximate value for each item. If your registration was stolen, report that specifically — it contains your address and vehicle info which can enable further crimes.
Call your insurance company
Comprehensive coverage (not collision) covers theft and break-in damage. Call to report and ask: what's your deductible, is your stolen property covered (electronics coverage caps vary widely), and do they need an estimate for the window repair first. Ask if they have preferred glass repair vendors — many insurers have no-deductible glass claims.
If your garage opener was stolen — change the code tonight
A stolen garage opener paired with your registration (which has your address) gives someone a key to your home. Change your garage door opener code before you go to sleep. Most garage door openers allow code reprogramming in under 2 minutes — refer to your opener's manual or search your model number. Consider a keychain remote rather than a visor-mounted one for exactly this reason.
Secure the vehicle temporarily
If a window was smashed, you need to protect the interior from weather and prevent further opportunistic theft. Auto parts stores sell temporary window film — a heavy clear plastic sheet with tape ($5–8). A trash bag and duct tape works in a pinch overnight. Get a proper repair within 24–48 hours; a broken window greatly increases the risk of a second break-in.
Ask about nearby security camera footage — quickly
Most parking lots have cameras. Business cameras on adjacent storefronts may have caught the incident. Ring doorbells on nearby homes often capture the street. Ask immediately — most systems overwrite within 24–72 hours. Share any footage or descriptions with police; while a single break-in rarely gets investigative resources, a video of a suspect changes the calculus.
What You Should Never Keep in Your Car
The best prevention is removing the incentive. Experienced car thieves can assess a vehicle's contents in seconds from the outside. These are the items most worth removing every time you park:
Never leave these visible
- Bags of any kind — even empty reusable grocery bags signal there may be something inside
- Electronics: phones, tablets, laptops, GPS devices, cameras
- Cables and chargers (signal there was a device there)
- GPS suction cup marks on the windshield (means a GPS was there)
- Loose change visible in cup holders
- Sunglasses on the seat or dashboard
- Garage door openers clipped to the visor
Never leave these at all
- Prescription medication (high-value theft target)
- Firearms — it's how most stolen firearms enter the black market
- Passports or Social Security cards
- Credit cards or cash in the glovebox
- Spare house keys
- Work laptops or drives with sensitive data
- Registration + garage opener together (combined, they're a home key)
Prevention for Next Time
Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas
Smash-and-grab thieves work fast and avoid witnesses. A well-lit lot with foot traffic is significantly safer than a dark side street or quiet garage level.
Visible dashcam
A dashcam with a parking mode (Vantrue, BlackVue) records on motion when parked. The visible camera is also a deterrent — it signals the vehicle is watched.
Always lock — even for 2 minutes
A significant portion of car break-ins involve unlocked doors — no breaking required. Lock every time, even if you're just running in briefly.
Trunk it before you park
If you have items in the car when you arrive somewhere, put them in the trunk before you get out — not when you return, when someone may be watching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does car insurance cover items stolen from my car?
Comprehensive auto insurance typically covers the cost of the break-in damage (window repair, lock replacement) but usually NOT the stolen items themselves — that's under your homeowners or renters insurance, which often has a 'personal property off-premises' provision. Check both policies. Electronics typically have sub-limits. This is why getting a police case number matters — you may need to file two separate claims.
My car was broken into but nothing was taken. Do I still need to file a police report?
Yes, especially if there's damage (broken window, damaged lock). The police report establishes the incident for insurance purposes and contributes to crime statistics that affect patrol patterns. Also, thieves sometimes return to a vehicle they've assessed — especially if they had to leave quickly.
My registration was stolen. What should I do?
Report it to police (it's often part of the same report). Contact your DMV for a replacement. Most importantly: if your garage opener was also taken, your registration gives a thief your home address. Change the garage door code immediately. Consider notifying your home insurer.