Discovering your car is gone is stressful. A calm order of steps helps you act quickly and gives the police and your insurer what they need.
Check first
Make sure the car has not been towed or moved, for example by parking enforcement, or taken by someone with a key.
Call the police
Report it to the police, and give your registration, make, model and colour. If you have a tracker, tell them, and give the provider's details.
Contact your tracker provider
If your car has a monitored tracker, call the provider straight away. The control room can pass location details to the police.
Do not confront anyone
If you can see where the car is, do not try to recover it yourself. Pass the location to the police.
Tell your insurer
Contact your insurer as soon as possible, and keep your crime reference number and any receipts and photos.
Common questions
Should I go to where the tracker says the car is?
No. Give the location to the police and let them deal with it.
What details does the insurer need?
Usually your crime reference number, keys and policy details, so have them ready.
What if I do not have a tracker?
Report it to the police, and check local cameras or dash cams for evidence.
How can I be better prepared?
Fit a tracker, add an immobiliser, and store your keys carefully.