What to do when your wheels and tires are stolen

It’s a sad day when you see someone’s car on blocks and their wheels are missing. Especially when it’s an expensive car. But do you know what to do if that were to happen to you? I’ll provide you with some helpful information to assist you if that occurs and how to avoid it.

If you just had your wheels stolen here’s what you need to do

1. Call the police. You’ll need to file a police report, so you’ll have proof of the incident to provide to your insurance company. While the officer is there, be sure to fully inspect your vehicle so they can document any related damage.

2. Call your insurance company. You’ll need to let them know what happened so they can begin the process of filing a claim.

3. Call your local dealership. If you own a Honda for example, call the dealership and speak with a service advisor. Let them know what happened so they can help you get a set of wheels and tires sent to your location. Make sure they also send out a complete set of lug nuts for each wheel. And while you’re at it, have them provide a set of locking lug nuts to deter future theft from recurring.

4. Consider NOT having the vehicles towed. Only have the vehicle towed if the location is completely unsafe and you believe further damage may occur. Some tow truck companies will not even tow a vehicle if the wheels are missing but if they do, keep in mind there will be major damage to your vehicle such as the frame, brakes, and suspension, and many other components will be dragged on the ground and onto the tow truck. This type of damage is usually not covered by insurance so it’s best NOT to have this done, if possible.

5. Ask your family and friends for help. Do you have family and friends who own the same brand vehicle as you? If so, you can ask to borrow their spare tires to install on your vehicle to get you going. Just don’t forget to install all of the lug nuts and tighten them properly and check the pressure of the tires before you drive on them. Most spare tires require 60psi so make sure they’re properly inflated before you install them.

6. Call a local junkyard. If the dealership is unable to provide a replacement for you within a few days, consider contacting a local junkyard and inform them of your situation. They should be able to find a solution for you. But keep in mind, this may not be your best option, unless they happen to find you a set of wheels and tires that are practically brand new. Most of the time, the wheels and tires in a junk yard have damage, that’s why they call it a “junkyard”. The wheels may be bent, and the tires may be too old, too worn or damaged. Use this option ONLY for emergencies.

7. Wait for OEM replacement parts. If you’re able to wait, it’s worth having the dealership, the (Original Equipment Manufacturer) provide all of the parts. They will order and install all of the original wheels, tires, lug nuts, tire pressure sensor and valve stem, center caps, and locking lug nut set. They will also program the tire pressure sensors to your vehicle which is very important!

Conclusion

In the worst-case scenario, if you end up paying out of pocket for all of the work at the dealership you can have peace of mind that everything is brand new and done properly. In most cases, your insurance company will reimburse you %100 for this repair so be certain to save all your receipts.

Even though many vehicles can be targeted by thieves, you can stay vigilant by not parking in a secluded parking lot and leaving your vehicle in an unpatrolled parking garage.

Obtaining an OEM wheel lock set can be very helpful in deterring theft. If you ever have doubts about parking your vehicle somewhere, listen to your instincts and DON’T PARK THERE. Give yourself the peace of mind you deserve by parking your vehicle somewhere safe. Even if you have to pay for parking, it’s worth it!

One final thought. It can be very upsetting for something like this to happen. It’s natural to take it personal and be offended by this foolish act. But try not to let it bother you too much. People can steal many things from us, but we can’t let them take our hope and joy. Try to stay positive and focus on getting the vehicle back on the road.