Few things ruin a day quite like walking up to your car and seeing a shattered window or a missing bag from the back seat. Car break-ins happen more often than most people think, and the moments right after can feel overwhelming. But if you know the steps to take, and in the right order you can protect yourself, file the right claims and get back to normal faster.  Here's exactly what to do if your car is broken into.

1. Stay safe and don't touch anything

Before anything else, make sure you're safe. If you discover the break-in in a parking lot or on the street, don't linger or confront anyone. Once you're certain it's safe, resist the urge to immediately clean up or move things around. Preserving the scene with any signs of how entry was made can be important for both the police report and your insurance claim.

2. Call the police and file a report

This is your most important first step. A police report isn't just a formality; it's often required to file an insurance claim for theft or vandalism. Call your local non-emergency police line (or 911 if the situation warrants it) and request an officer to the scene or ask how to file a report online or in person.

When you file the report, be as specific as possible:

• What was taken
• Any visible damage to the vehicle
• The approximate time and location of the break-in

Get the report number as you'll need it for both insurance claims.

3. Document everything with photos

Before you clean up the glass or retrieve your belongings, take photos of everything. Document the broken window or point of entry, any damage to locks or door panels, the interior of the car, and anything that's missing or disturbed. This visual evidence supports your insurance claim and helps establish the extent of the damage.

4. Make a list of what was stolen

Go through your car carefully and note every item that's missing. Think of all items such as chargers, sunglasses, gym bags, tools, work equipment and documents. Try to recall the approximate value of each item. If you have receipts or can find original purchase prices, gather those too.

One important distinction: your auto insurance covers the vehicle itself, not the items inside it. Personal belongings stolen from your car fall under your home or tenant insurance policy's off-premises personal property coverage, so you may need to file two separate claims.

5. File an auto insurance claim for vehicle damage

If your car has damage from the break-in such as a smashed window, a damaged lock, a broken door handle,  that will be covered under your comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive insurance covers non-collision events including vandalism and theft-related damage to the vehicle itself.

Contact your auto insurance provider as soon as possible. Be ready to provide:

• Your police report number
• Photos of the damage
• A description of what happened

To consider: if the repair cost is close to or less than your deductible, it may make more sense to pay out of pocket rather than file a claim and risk a premium increase. Talk to a VIU by HUB broker if you're unsure which route makes sense for your situation.

And if your car needs to be in the shop for repairs? Check whether you have rental car coverage on your policy as it may cover the cost of a rental while your vehicle is being repaired.

6. File a separate home or tenant insurance claim for stolen items

For the personal belongings taken from your car, you'll file a separate claim with your home or tenant insurance provider. Most policies include off-premises personal property coverage, which means your belongings are covered even when they're not inside your home.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Your deductible applies here too, if the stolen items don't exceed it, a claim may not be worth filing
• High-value items like jewellery, electronics or cameras may be subject to sub-limits, meaning your policy may cap the payout below the item's actual value
• Cash is typically excluded or severely limited under most policies

If you regularly keep valuable items in your car, it's worth reviewing your policy limits with an advisor before something like this happens.

7. Take steps to prevent it from happening again

Once the immediate situation is handled, use it as an opportunity to reduce your risk going forward. Some practical steps:

• Never leave valuables visible in your car such as bags, laptops, chargers and even loose change as they can attract break-ins
• Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas when possible
• Consider a car alarm or GPS tracker if your vehicle doesn't already have one
• Review your coverage and make sure you have comprehensive coverage on your auto policy and adequate personal property coverage on your home or tenant insurance policy.  Click here to review your current coverage.

The bottom line:

A car break-in is disruptive, but it doesn't have to derail you. Filing a police report right away, documenting the damage and knowing which insurance policy covers what, auto for vehicle damage, home or tenant insurance for stolen belongings, puts you in the best position to recover quickly.

Not sure if your current coverage would fully protect you in a situation like this? A VIU by HUB broker can review your auto and home insurance policies and help you identify any gaps before you need to use them.