I want to reach out to our community with an important suggestion that many owners overlook: take photos of your Vanagon/Bus. I’m not talking about photos of your van in front of a cool waterfall or at an awesome campsite. I mean plain, generic photos of your van by itself, with nothing else in the background.

Many times, when someone reports their van stolen, they submit outdated photos that don’t reflect its current appearance. I often receive photos accompanied by notes saying, “Here are photos of my van, but it looks different now. It has new RMW bumpers, a Swing Arm, Gowesty 16" wheels, a Thule roof box, an ARB awning, and tinted windows.” This is not helpful.

My suggestion is to take current, detailed photos of your van. These photos will be invaluable if your van is ever stolen or if you need to file an insurance claim.

I spent a few hours cleaning and emptying my van, then drove to a local cul-de-sac to take unobstructed photos from all angles. If your neighborhood doesn’t have a suitable area, you could use an empty business park or warehouse parking lot.

Clear photos of your van are crucial in case it’s stolen. I recommend taking photos from every corner and side. If you have a Westy, take photos with the top down and again with the top up. Include interior photos, such as the front cockpit, main area (with and without the bed down), engine bay, and underneath at each corner and wheel. While this may seem like a lot of photos, they’re essential for insurance claims if your van is not recovered or is totaled in an accident.

Here are a few sample photos of my van to illustrate what I mean. For a Stolen Van Report, these three photo examples are all that’s needed for our VanAlert notifications.

I keep a specific folder on my phone with all the photos I’ve taken of my van, making them easy to access. You can store them this way and/or use a cloud service like Google Photos or iCloud for easy retrieval. Having these photos readily available is crucial if you ever need to report your van stolen. It’s much better than having them buried on a hard drive at home.

By taking the time to document your van thoroughly, you’re not only protecting your investment but also making the recovery process smoother and faster if it’s ever stolen. Clear, up-to-date photos can be the difference between a quick recovery and a prolonged, stressful search. Remember, the more prepared you are, the better you can respond to unexpected situations. So, take those photos, store them securely, and give yourself peace of mind. Your future self will thank you.

Stay safe out there!
-Abel