Came back to your rental car with a smashed window and your bag gone? Here is what to do, in order. Do not touch the broken glass yet. Photograph everything first. Then file a police report, either online at iReportAustin.com or by calling the Austin Police non-emergency line at 512-974-2000, and get the case number. Call your rental company to report the damage and arrange a repair or a swap. Your stolen belongings are almost always a claim on your own home, travel, or credit-card insurance, not the rental company’s damage waiver. And know that this is common in Austin, especially at trailheads and parks, so the prevention tips at the end matter.
That is the emergency version. Below is the full walkthrough. It covers the exact steps in the first hour, how to file the report, the rental-company side, who actually pays for your stolen things, what to do if your ID or cards were taken, and how to avoid it in the first place.
This guide is general information from a longtime Austin resident, gathered from the City of Austin, the Austin Police Department, and local reporting cited throughout. It is not legal or insurance advice. Coverage varies by policy, so confirm the specifics with your own insurer and rental company. Last updated July 2026.
Jump to what you need
What to Do Right Now
- Make sure you are safe. If anyone is still around or you feel threatened, step away and call 911. Otherwise, do not disturb the scene more than you have to.
- Photograph everything before you move anything, including the broken window, the interior, the surroundings, and any damage. These photos are what your insurer and the rental company will want.
- Make a list of what is missing while it is fresh, with rough values and any serial numbers you know.
- File a police report and get the case number (next section). You will need it for every claim.
- Call your rental company to report the damage and find out whether they will repair the glass on the spot or swap you into another car.
- Handle stolen ID, cards, and keys quickly, covered further down, because those create the fastest follow-on damage.
Filing the Police Report
Advertisement
You almost certainly need a police report, because both the rental company and your insurer will usually ask for a case number before they process anything. Austin gives you a few ways to file for a non-emergency vehicle burglary.
- Online. Use the Austin Police online reporting system at iReportAustin.com, choose the matching incident type, and submit the details. You receive a case number to use for insurance.
- By phone. Call the Austin Police non-emergency line at 512-974-2000 and ask to file a report for a vehicle burglary.
- In person. You can also file at a police facility if you prefer.
Give the date, time, and exact location, a description of what happened, the list of stolen items, and any witness or camera information nearby. Save the case number somewhere you will not lose it, and give it to both your insurer and the rental company.
The Rental-Company Part
Report the break-in to the rental company as soon as you reasonably can. They will typically arrange to repair the broken window or, more often, swap you into a different car so your trip is not derailed. Ask directly whether you will be charged for the glass and any administrative fee.
Whether you pay for the damage comes down to your coverage. If you bought the rental company’s collision or loss damage waiver (often sold as CDW or LDW), or your credit card provides rental coverage, the damage to the vehicle is usually handled with little or no cost to you. Without any of that, you may be on the hook for the repair and a fee. Keep the police case number and all paperwork, because that is what supports the claim.
Who Actually Pays for Your Stolen Belongings
Advertisement
This is the part that surprises people. The rental company’s damage waiver covers the car, not the things that were inside it. Your stolen laptop, camera, or luggage falls to a different set of policies.
| What was lost | Who usually covers it |
|---|---|
| The broken window and car damage | Rental damage waiver (CDW/LDW) or credit-card rental coverage |
| Stolen personal items (bags, electronics) | Your homeowners or renters insurance, or travel insurance |
| Sometimes personal items, as a benefit | Certain credit cards or a dedicated travel-insurance policy |
Check your homeowners or renters policy, which often covers your belongings even away from home, subject to a deductible. Travel insurance may cover it if you bought a policy. Weigh the deductible against the value of what was taken before you file, because a small loss may not be worth a claim. Whatever you do, you will need that police case number and your photos.
If Your ID, Cards, or Keys Were Taken
- Cards. Freeze or cancel them immediately through your bank’s app or phone line to stop fraudulent charges.
- Driver license or passport. Report it and start a replacement. A stolen passport should also be reported to your consulate or the passport agency, since it can be misused.
- Rental keys or a key fob. Tell the rental company, as this is a specific charge and process on their end.
- Anything with your home address plus your house keys. Take that combination seriously and get advice on securing your home.
Why It Happens in Austin
Advertisement
Austin has a persistent car-burglary problem. More than 8,200 vehicles were broken into across the city in 2024, according to Austin Police data reported locally. Most are crimes of opportunity, and thieves can smash a window and grab a bag in seconds.
The classic hotspots are trailheads and parks, exactly where visitors leave a car for a few hours. Spots around the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Mount Bonnell, the Pennybacker (360) Bridge overlook, Red Bud Isle, and Zilker have all seen clusters of break-ins, because they fill with cars full of tucked-away valuables while everyone is off hiking or swimming. If you are heading to any of these on our Austin hikes or swimming holes, treat the parking lot as the riskiest part of the trip.
How to Avoid It
- Take everything with you. The only reliable defense is an empty car. Bring your wallet, phone, and bag on the hike rather than leaving them behind.
- Leave nothing visible, not even a charging cable, a coin tray, or an empty bag, because any hint of value invites a smashed window.
- Do not stash things in the trunk at the trailhead. Thieves watch parking lots, so hiding a bag after you arrive just tells them where it is. Pack it out of sight before you get there, or better, do not bring it.
- Park in view where you can. Busier, more visible spots are slightly less tempting than an isolated corner.
- Consider skipping the rental for a downtown-focused trip, so there is no parked car to target. See where to stay in Austin without a car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Advertisement
Do I need a police report if my rental was broken into?
Almost always, yes. Both the rental company and your insurer typically require a police case number before they process a claim. File online at iReportAustin.com or call the Austin Police non-emergency line at 512-974-2000, and keep the case number.
Does the rental insurance cover my stolen laptop and bags?
Usually not. The rental company’s collision or loss damage waiver covers damage to the car, like the broken window, but not your personal belongings. Stolen items are typically covered by your homeowners or renters insurance, a travel-insurance policy, or certain credit-card benefits, each subject to a deductible.
Where do most car break-ins happen in Austin?
Trailheads and parks are the classic hotspots, including the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Mount Bonnell, the Pennybacker Bridge overlook, Red Bud Isle, and Zilker. These lots fill with cars while people hike or swim, making them easy targets. Never leave anything visible in a car at these spots.
Will the rental company charge me for the broken window?
It depends on your coverage. With the rental’s damage waiver or credit-card rental coverage, the glass is usually handled with little or no cost to you. Without either, you may owe for the repair plus an administrative fee. Ask the company directly and keep your police report and paperwork.
Sources
- City of Austin, File a Police Report (online and phone reporting, case number)
- Austin Police Department, vehicle burglaries in city parks
- KUT, car burglaries at Austin trailheads
