Vehicle Stolen Abroad: What to Do?

You're travelling abroad by car and discover your vehicle has been stolen!
What should you do? Who should you contact first?

Vehicle stolen? Here are the 3 priorities

1. Report it to the police

Call the local police number or the emergency number (112) and file a theft report. You'll need to provide all the relevant information about your vehicle (make, model, colour, registration plate, exact location where you parked it…). A report will be drawn up, and the police will give you proof of the statement. Make sure the report clearly states whether your vehicle documents (registration certificate, certificate of conformity, proof of insurance) were left in the stolen vehicle.
This report will not only be useful when you contact your insurer, but also for filing a theft report with the judicial authorities in your own country (police).
Note: Make sure your vehicle hasn't simply been towed away by the police for a parking violation.

2. Contact your insurer without delay

If you have theft insurance, you're required to contact your insurer within 24 hours of discovering the theft in order to benefit from the coverage (reimbursement, replacement car, etc.).

If you don't have theft insurance, it's still advisable to notify your insurer quickly so that they can release you from any liability in the event of an accident and, if necessary, cancel your registration plate.

Stay in touch with your insurer after you return home. They will most likely ask you to hand over your vehicle's documents (registration certificate, certificate of conformity), provided you still have them, along with the vehicle's keys.

3. Then contact your assistance company

If you have travel insurance covering the theft of your vehicle, your assistance contract may provide for accommodation costs for those insured while they wait for repairs to be completed on a stolen vehicle that has been found damaged. The assistance provider can also organise the return home of those left stranded.
If the vehicle is found after the insured parties have returned home, the assistance contract may also allow the driver to come back and collect their vehicle, with the cost of recovery or towing covered.

What if it's a rental car?

• Carefully check the included or optional cover of the rental agreement in the event of theft.
• If the vehicle's theft is covered, be aware that there may be restrictions relating to territorial limits (covered countries), liability, the deductible, or reimbursement.

Can theft be avoided?

Are you travelling abroad with your vehicle? Pay attention to the following points:

• Be mindful of where you park your vehicle. Avoid isolated and/or poorly lit areas. Avoid leaving your vehicle in the same spot for too long. Naturally, also avoid any place where your vehicle risks being towed away by the authorities (e.g. a no-parking zone or a spot where your vehicle obstructs other road users).
• Ask locals where they'd recommend parking your vehicle, and where they usually park themselves.
• If possible, favour a private or guarded car park. Many paid car parks have surveillance systems (cameras) that deter thieves.
• If possible, don't leave any valuables in the vehicle. This is especially true if you're staying nearby. Take your luggage with you, and don't leave anything in plain sight that could attract attention (bag, money, games console, computer…). Take your vehicle documents with you.
• Close the windows, even in very hot weather (unless you're leaving a pet in the vehicle) and lock the boot.
• There are systems or apps that let you locate where your vehicle is. These systems can be very useful in the event of theft.

What about an attempted theft?

Follow the same steps as above: notify the police so they can draw up a report, and contact your insurer if you have insurance that covers the cost of repairing any damage.

Also read: "Theft and assault on the holiday road"