Vehicle theft is stressful in a particular way: there's no scene to assess, no other driver to exchange information with, and often no clear starting point. Acting quickly and in the right order makes the claims conversation considerably more straightforward, even though the situation itself is unsettling.
Report it immediately
Contact the police as soon as theft is discovered or suspected, and get a report reference before doing anything else. This step needs to happen first and cannot be substituted with anything else later in the process. Provide as much detail as you can recall, including last known location, approximate time, and any distinguishing features or recent modifications to the vehicle.
Notify PICL without delay
Contact PICL or your nearest branch to begin the claims conversation as soon as the police report is filed. Have your policy number, the police report reference, and full vehicle details ready when you call. The sooner this conversation starts, the sooner you'll understand what documents and steps come next.
Gather your supporting documents
Ownership documents, spare keys, service history and any tracking device information all support the claim and should be gathered as soon as possible. A written timeline, covering when the vehicle was last seen, when the theft was noticed, and who was notified when, helps keep the details consistent across the police report and the claim. If the vehicle had any aftermarket security or tracking installed, mention this early, since it can affect both recovery chances and the claims review.
What the claims review typically looks at
A claims review for theft typically looks at the police report, the policy details on file, and the documentation you provide about the vehicle and its last known condition. Consistency between what's reported to police and what's reported to the insurer matters, so keep your account straightforward and factual throughout. This is not a fast process by nature, since it depends partly on the police investigation alongside the insurance review.
If the vehicle is recovered
If the vehicle is recovered before a claim is finalized, contact PICL immediately to update the claim, since recovery changes the assessment considerably. An assessment of any damage sustained during the theft will typically follow, separate from the theft claim itself. Keep the police informed too, since recovered vehicle reports often need to be formally closed out on their end as well.
Quick checklist
- File a police report first and get a reference number
- Contact PICL as soon as possible after reporting
- Gather ownership documents, spare keys and service history
- Write a timeline of when the vehicle was last seen
- Mention any tracking device or aftermarket security installed
- Keep your account consistent across police and insurer
- Update PICL immediately if the vehicle is recovered
This guide is general customer education. For policy details, claims requirements, legal obligations or road traffic rules, confirm the current requirement with PICL or the relevant authority.