Tell the police immediately and then notify your car insurance company.

Most Insurers wait between 4-6 weeks for the vehicle to be recovered prior to paying a Theft claim so be prepared to wait a while in case your car is recovered. A great many cars taken without the owner’s consent are soon found abandoned and can be returned to the owner.

If property is stolen from your car tell the police immediately and then tell your insurer.

The Theft section of your policy will usually cover damage resulting from Theft, attempted Theft of your vehicle and (non-pre existing) damage discovered upon recovery of your stolen vehicle.

Once you have been indemnified under your policy on a total loss basis, your Insurers are buying rights to the ownership of the vehicle and should the vehicle be recovered at a later stage it will be the property of the Insurer and can be disposed of as they see fit.

Some comprehensive car insurance policies also protect you against loss of or damage to personal belongings within your car. Most car insurance policies have set a limit on the value of such property claims and to view the level of cover provided you will need to check your own car insurance policy documentation for details.