So what do you do when your car gets stolen? Most people panic, but you should figure out what you are going to do before hand. Like the boy scouts say, be prepared, and listening to them you should try to set yourself up for the eventualities that life may present you with, such as fires, hurricanes, and car theft. Okay, one is not like the other, obviously, but it still requires plenty of forethought so that you aren’t caught out and confused when (if) it happens to you at some point. After all, everybody loves to play Grand Theft Auto but we all think that it is something that could never happen to us. Not true.

• Call the cops.

Yeah, this is an obvious one, but when taking it into account remember that haste makes waste. When you call the police after your car has been stolen, you need to do it from the scene of the crime. You need to be prepared to identify your vehicle to the police when they arrive, because speed is necessary in getting back a stolen car. If they don’t have the information they need, then your car could be at the chop shop. Most stolen cars aren’t recovered.

You need to have the license plate number and the VIN number either in your head or on a car in your wallet or purse, somewhere that you will always have on you. You should also keep one copy of your Pasadena CA auto insurance on you and one in your car, and do the same with your registration. The police report can be used by your Pasadena CA auto insurance company.

• Am I insured?

You might not be, as hard as it is to come to terms with. If you have comprehensive coverage, then you will be covered for the actual cash value of your vehicle if it gets stolen. However, if you are still paying off the car, and you don’t have gap insurance, then you could be in some trouble. If you really want to be prepared, make sure that you have rental car coverage and read your policy to see if there are any delays between making the claim and getting to rent the car.