8+ years writing for major outlets, including MarketWatch and Business Insider
Master’s in Education
Taylor Mlam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator. When she’s not helping readers better save and spend money, she can be found teaching.
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Save up to $852 by comparing quotes from the top 100+ insurance companies
Excellent
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Advertiser Disclosure
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
Cheapest recent rates
Drivers have found policies from Progressive, Certainly, Farmers, and more, for rates as low as $34/mo. through Insurify
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
A car break-in can be a traumatic experience, and if you’re the victim of such an incident, you may have feelings of anger or distrust afterward. In addition, you may also need to file a police report, navigate car repairs, and connect with your insurance company to start a claim.
The good news is that comprehensive auto coverage pays for car repairs due to theft or vandalism, and your homeowners or renters insurance will cover the personal belongings in your car. Whether you’ve been the victim of a past break-in or you’re trying to avoid your first, you can take steps to prevent one from occurring.
Here’s what you need to know to help you recognize, recover from, and prevent future car break-ins.
Compare Car Insurance Quotes
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Recognizing the signs of a break-in
Your car may or may not appear damaged after a break-in. It depends on how the break-in occurred. Look for these telltale signs as you assess the situation:[1]
Broken lock: Window or door locks can serve as entry points to the car. Check if these safety devices appear broken.
Shattered glass: Broken glass is an obvious sign of a break-in that could be visible on windows or windshields.
Missing items: Items aren’t always missing after a break-in. But if you notice something is gone, it’s a sign that someone broke into your car.
Car alarm: If your car alarm is activated, it could mean that someone tried to break in.
Scratches on vehicle: Damage to the exterior of your car can indicate that someone was trying to enter the vehicle.
What to do if your car is broken into
Once you realize there was a break-in, follow these steps to move forward with recovering items and ensuring your safety.[2]
Document the scene
Take pictures and video of the damage. Use your smartphone to capture each side of the car and any visible damage. Your phone utilizes geolocation services that allow police to view the exact location of each photo, which can be helpful if there’s further investigation.
Next, create a list of each missing item. As you document the scene, try to avoid touching the area and wait to move your car until you talk with the police.
Contact the police
The next step is to call 9-1-1 and file a police report. Insurance companies usually require a police report for insurance claims related to car damage or missing items. So this step is a must if you plan to file a claim with your insurer.
Helpful Information
Before you call, it’s helpful to have the following information accessible:
Your driver’s license
Current location
Insurance information
Contact your insurance company
The final step is to contact your insurance company. If you have homeowners or renters insurance, your policy can help pay for missing items from your car. These policies can cover the objects even when you’re not home. However, it’s important to read your policy so you know exactly what’s covered and where.
Your auto policy doesn’t protect personal belongings in your vehicle. But a comprehensive auto policy can help pay for repairs if your car is damaged. Liability-only auto insurance doesn’t provide coverage.
Start by calling the company’s claims department. The insurance claims representative can guide you through the process and answer questions.
Take steps to prevent future break-ins
After you deal with the aftermath of a car break-in, it’s wise to assess the security of your car. Repair broken windows, fix locks, and change keyless entry codes to ensure no one can access your vehicle without your permission.
Recent quotes for other Insurify users
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $37/mo for liability only and $67/mo for full coverage.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Preventing car break-ins
Whether you’ve been the victim of a past break-in or you’re guarding against your first, follow these easy steps to improve your vehicle’s security:[3]
Practice secure parking habits. Always park your car in well-lit areas visible to both pedestrians and drivers. When possible, park in public garages with security cameras.
Utilize car alarm systems. Car alarms are an effective deterrent. The alarm sounds if there’s an attempted break-in, but even the presence of an alarm can deter would-be thieves.
Consider window tinting and privacy glass. Privacy glass makes viewing items inside your car more difficult from the outside. This makes your vehicle a less enticing target for thieves because they don’t know if anything of value is inside.
Employ steering wheel locks and other security devices. Safety devices like steering wheel locks, brake locks, and car wheel clamps are valuable tools to prevent break-ins and car theft. The more unappealing you can make your car to thieves, the more likely they are to move on.
Get the right insurance coverage. Homeowners and renters insurance cover the belongings in your car. Comprehensive car insurance, an optional coverage, pays for the cost of repairs caused by damage from a break-in. Comprehensive is included in a full-coverage auto policy.
The rising concern of car break-ins
The year 2022 saw a 7% increase in car thefts.[4] Even though a break-in doesn’t always lead to car theft, this rise in crime highlights that vehicle incidents are more frequent than expected.
Thieves can steal any car, but Chevrolet and Ford full-size pickup trucks are the most commonly stolen vehicles among older models.[4] For newer models, vehicles from Hyundai and Kia account for more vehicle thefts than cars from other manufacturers.[5]
No matter what type of car you drive, the best way to prevent theft is to lock your vehicle, park near other people, store valuables out of sight, and keep your keys nearby.
Common reasons behind car break-ins
Here are the most common reasons for break-ins and what you can do differently:[3]
Keys left in the car: The easiest way to prevent break-ins is never to leave your keys in the car, even briefly. This is particularly true with newer vehicles when doors can be opened and vehicles started simply by having the key located somewhere in the vehicle.
Valuables on display: Store valuables, like phones, purses, money, or other electronics, out of sight. Leaving these items out in the open increases your risk of being the victim of a smash-and-grab crime.
Deserted location: If your vehicle is in an area with little foot traffic or visibility, the risk of someone breaking into your car rises. Park your car in a well-lit, highly trafficked area whenever possible. Having a few extra people around can be a huge deterrent.
Car broken into FAQs
Car break-ins are stressful, both practically and emotionally. Here’s what you need to know about why break-ins occur and how to respond.
What if someone broke into your car but left no damage?
If you experience a break-in without damage, it’s still important to document any missing items and file a police report. You should also consider filing an insurance claim with your homeowners or renters insurance if the items taken were of high value.
Are you covered if your car was broken into while it was unlocked?
As long as you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance policy covers break-ins regardless of the circumstances. But if you don’t have comprehensive coverage, your auto policy won’t cover car break-ins or theft.
What cars are most commonly broken into?
Full-size pickup trucks from Chevrolet and Ford are the most commonly stolen cars among older models. For newer models, vehicles from Hyundai and Kia account for more vehicle thefts than cars from other manufacturers.[5]
Your car was broken into and you suspect ID theft. Should you report it or wait to see if something happens?
If you suspect identity theft, it’s best to take immediate action. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov or 1 (877) 438-4338. You can also contact the three credit bureaus to place fraud alerts and credit freezes on your accounts.
Can a car be broken into with no sign of forced entry?
Yes. Your car can be broken into without any sign of forced entry. If this happens to you, document the scene, file a police report, and contact your insurer.
Taylor Milam-Samuel is a writer and credentialed educator who is fascinated by how people earn, save, and spend their money. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found in the classroom teaching.
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.