Ways to Trace and Recover Stolen Vehicle
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau,In the year 2023, the world recorded 1,020,729 stolen vehicles. In total value, that is $8 billion worth of vehicles annually.
Narrowing down, In Kenya, the total vehicles that were reported stolen in 2022 were 1,666 which was a 300 increase from the previous year.
The most targeted brands being Mazda, Scania, Honda, Subaru, Mercedes Benz and Suzuki. These are the most popular brands of Cars used in Kenya and thus being easy prey by the car criminals.
In the process of investigations and vehicle recovery, cars with anti-theft features like GPS Tracking devices are often easily located.
Installing a real time tracking device for every vehicle purchased should be a debatable law to be passed.
Just like insurance policy, GPS tracking comes handy like a security cover of recovering or even better locating vehicles at all times. Therefore we need to dive in and explore mechanisms we can use to recover a stolen Car.
What do you do When a Vehicle is Missing?
Due to the busy schedules in today's world, at times we lose track of some things. So, before concluding that the vehicle is stolen, do the following once you cannot locate your vehicle just to be sure.
Check the Parking Lot Carefully.
Confirm the Vehicle is Actually Stolen.
Check the GPS Tracking System.
Check the CCTV Cameras around.
It's a common mistake to forget where you parked, especially in public parking lots. You can use a traditional way of switching car alarms on while listening carefully from which end the car signalling from.
After carefully checking the parking lot, it's wise to check with a family member with access to spare keys whether they took the vehicle and forgot to inform you. Ensure to call everyone with car access to rule out an instance they might have borrowed the vehicle.
At this instance, get your phone and open a GPS tracking application to view the car's live location. A reliable GPS tracking system will show exactly where your car is. If it is moving, it will indicate which direction and at what speed. Better still,if it's not moving it will share a live location for easy locating.
Getting a free demo of a reliable GPS tracking System will give you an insight on what to look for while installing a tracking device.
In situations where you are missing a GPS Tracking System which is so essential in receiving a lost or a missing vehicle check with CCTV cameras around your parking area.
Most parking lot attendants monitor the CCTV closely and can confirm if your car left and with whom. But in most instances, civilians won't be allowed to view the footage and that's where police intervention will come in.
How can I Find Stolen Vehicle Using a GPS tracking System?
It’s now clear, the car ain't in the parking lot, neither has it been borrowed by a family member with spare keys it's stolen. Not to worry, read on to equip yourself every possible way to recover a stolen vehicle.
File a report of a stolen Vehicle with the police station nearby.
Trace the stolen car using GPS tracking device.
For proper follow- up of your case, ensure to provide accurate information of how you ended up missing your vehicle. Its also essential to provide information that will be helpful in recovering your car. Even the fine details matter.
Mention the number plate of the car, it's colour, it's brand, it's status whether new, old and any unique feature it had.
Provide details of GPS tracking device it has and it's current motion. Is it in operation or not at that current time. Providing more details at the Police station increases chances of recovering the vehicle. Also ensure to keep a copy of this report for insurance purposes.
Most reputable GPS tracking companies will help you offer you with a user friendly tracking application where you can determine the location of your stolen car. A GPS tracking system ought to have a feature to immobilise the vehicle remotely.
It is advisable to seek your tracking company’s advice on the appropriate time to shut the vehicle down. It doesn't matter where your vehicle was stolen from, provided the vehicle has a functional GPS tracking device, recovery becomes faster.
Again shutting down a stolen vehicle remotely should be done once you have located the vehicle in a close range. Ensure to involve the police officers in this case for the criminals might me armed and out number you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is reporting a stolen vehicle to a police station so essential?
Are stolen cars covered by insurance.
Police officers are able to populate the case of a stolen vehicle countrywide more quickly. While they are checking traffic violations they might impound the stolen car.
The answer is yes and no. Insurance companies have to do their due diligence to find out the real truth.
Maybe, Incase of leasing, the person who leased the car was in one way or another involved in theft. In that case the person who leased the car will have to provide the criminals and thus a police case.
On the better side if you have comprehensive cover and collision you are on the safe side and thus payment will be done for the stolen vehicle.
Conclusion
One thing that is for sure is that cars are being stolen everywhere and almost every brand. For every opportunity car thieves get they won't choose which car to steal.
Every single one of them is vulnerable.The biggest take away home is that the GPS tracking system is a weapon to secure vehicles and a tool to recover stolen vehicles. Learn and share this guide to friends alike to make a decision on securing their vehicles.
