What to do if your car is stolen

If your car has gone missing, first ensure it wasn't towed or moved in some other way. Then, contact the police to file a report. Next, contact your insurance company to file a claim, notify your lender and the DMV, and make every effort possible to find the car by checking with possible witnesses and security cameras and using your vehicle's tracking system if it has one.

1. Ensure your vehicle was really stolen

Before you report your car stolen, make sure that your vehicle has actually been taken.

Look at where you parked your car and check for any signs indicating it might not have been legally parked. If you find signs that regulate parking in that spot, there may also be a phone number to call if your car has been towed. If that's the case, put in a call to the towing company.

2. Report the stolen car to the police

Once you have confirmed that your car has been stolen and not towed, call the police immediately to make a stolen vehicle report. Not only will you need the police report later, but it will also allow law enforcement officers to watch for the stolen vehicle. You will need to be prepared to provide them with detailed information on the vehicle and the location it was last seen.

Call the non-emergency line to make your report, and not 911.

3. Contact your auto insurance company

Getting in touch with your insurer should be your next move after the police. Call the claims line or file a theft claim online or through the mobile app if you have that option. If you file online, you can upload supporting documentation, such as a copy of the police report. Ensure your claim report matches what you told the police.

Expert Advice

Fausto Bucheli Jr.

President of the Cheap Insurance Agency

Make sure to provide the insurance company with the exact same data and descriptions you've given the police. You wouldn't want your insurance claim to be dismissed based on a technicality.

4. Be prepared to give your insurer all the information it needs

When you contact your insurer, provide them with details of the theft, including the time, date and location and any information you have on who might have taken it, including people who have access to the keys. They'll also require the police report.

Be prepared to provide:

Date and time of the theft
Location of the vehicle
Location of all keys to the car
Title to the car
Names and contact information for anyone who had access to the vehicle
Detailed description of the car and its condition when it was stolen
Contact information for your financing company if the car is financed
Police report number

5. Stay in touch with your insurance adjuster

Check in with your insurance adjusterAn adjuster handles claims for the insurance company. They assess the damage and determine how your coverage applies to damages and injuries. and provide any updates from the police regarding the theft of your vehicle. Your insurer will have a waiting period, usually 30 days, before declaring the vehicle a total loss if it is not found. If your vehicle is recovered, please let your insurance company's claims adjuster know right away to speed the resolution of any claim.

6. If you have a loan, contact your lender

If your car is financed, notify your lender as well. Although you will still be required to make payments on the vehicle, it's a good idea to keep your lender informed of the situation, since it has a financial stake in the vehicle.

7. Inform the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

The next important step is to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (which may go by a different name in your state). The DMV keeps a database of stolen vehicles. This database helps ensure you don't have future ownership or title issues with the vehicle and is especially useful if someone tries registering the stolen vehicle.

8. Check for possible security camera recordings

Find out if any cameras caught the theft. Check with any businesses near where you were parked to see if they might have captured the car thief on camera. If it was stolen from your home, ask neighbors if they have cameras or if they saw anything suspicious.

9. Track your car with an in-vehicle communications system

If you have a newer car, it may have technology that can help track the vehicle. General Motors’ OnStar system or Toyota's Safety Connect are examples. Hyundai's Blue Link can help police locate the car and even reduce the engine power to slow it down.

Some pay-as-you-drive car insurance plans – the kind that measures your mileage and driving behavior – include GPS tracking as a way to deliver roadside assistance or summon an ambulance. They can also help track a stolen car.

10. If you have a theft prevention tracking device, contact the company.

If you have a theft prevention system such as LoJack, contact the service provider. These systems use radiofrequency technology to help track and recover stolen cars. Law enforcement can send a radio signal to your vehicle to activate the device.

People ask

Will filing a theft claim increase my car insurance rates?

It may. Most claims come with the risk of increased rates. How much that increase will be depends on your car insurance company.

How long does a stolen car investigation take?

There are two investigations into a stolen car. The police investigation involves checking with witnesses and reviewing camera footage, and the vehicle is entered into a database. That process usually takes a few days, after which the investigation is no longer active but still open. The insurance company will also investigate, looking for evidence of the theft and signs of fraud. If the car is not found within 30 days, the insurance company will usually determine it's a total loss and pay you the car's actual cash valueActual Cash Value (ACV) is the current market value of your car, considering depreciation. It's the amount your insurance will pay if your car is totaled or stolen.. However, the car will stay on the police department's stolen vehicle list.

How long does it take for insurance to pay out on a stolen vehicle?

After a 30-day waiting period, your insurance company will declare a total loss and prepare a settlement for your vehicle. That process could take a few days to a few weeks. Once you have accepted the settlement, you can expect a check within five to 10 business days.

What happens if your car is stolen and you still owe money?

If your car is stolen, you must continue to make payments on your loan while the theft is investigated. If the car is found and repaired, your loan will continue as planned. If it's declared a total loss, your insurance company will pay a settlement amount, which you can use to pay off your loan. It may not cover the full amount, in which case gap insurance will cover the difference; if you don't have it, you'll have to pay the difference out of pocket.

Here are the two main scenarios:

Your car is found and repairable. If your car is recovered, the insurance company will pay to repair any damage, and you'll continue to pay your loan as usual.
Your car is never found, or is found and is totaled. In either case, your insurance company will declare the vehicle a total loss. It will pay out the actual cash value of the car, and you will be responsible for paying off any remaining balance on the loan, if you owe more than it was worth.

There are a few ways to deal with owing money on a car that has been totaled due to theft:

Gap insurance, if you have it, will pay the balance owed
You can roll the balance into a new loan when you buy a new car
You can pay the balance off with savings or other cash

What happens when your car is stolen and then found?

If your stolen vehicle is found, the insurance company will take possession of the vehicle if a claim has already been paid. If the claim is still open, the insurance company will determine if the car is a total loss or is repairable, and then proceed to pay out the claim accordingly.

What happens if your car is stolen and then found wrecked?

If your car is stolen and found wrecked, it will be considered a total loss unless it's repairable. If insurance has already paid out on the claim, your car now belongs to the insurance company. However, if the claim has not been paid yet and the car is repairable, your insurance company will likely repair it.

What happens if your car is stolen and never found?

If your car is stolen and never found, the insurance company will treat it as a total loss; the usual waiting period is 30 days. After that point, your insurer will pay out the actual cash value of your car – the price an identical car would bring on the open market. It’s somewhat negotiable if you can find comparable values.

Your deductible will come out of the insurance settlement check, and so will anything owed to lienholders.

What happens if your car is stolen and you have liability-only insurance?

If you have a liability-only insurance policy, there is no coverage for a stolen car. You need comprehensive coverage to replace or repair a stolen vehicle. There is no other coverage available to pay for a stolen car. A liability-only policy doesn't cover a rental car, either. You should carry full coverage insurance if you can't afford to replace your car out of pocket.

PEOPLE ASK

My car was stolen and recovered - do I have to take it back?

Yes, you have to take back your stolen car, unless your insurance company already paid the claim as a total loss, in which case the car belongs to the company.

What happens if your car is stolen and you don't have auto insurance?

If your car is stolen and you don't have insurance, you can still file a police report and hope that the car is recovered. However, without insurance, you will have no way to recoup the loss of the car. If it's found and damaged, you will have to pay for the repairs. And if it's never found, you will have to buy a new car yourself.

Remember that you must have comprehensive coverage in order to have a stolen vehicle covered by insurance, so even if you have a policy but don't carry comprehensive, you're in the same situation.

Does car insurance cover personal items stolen from my vehicle?

No, car insurance doesn't cover any personal property in the car. It will only cover things that are permanently installed in the car, like a stereo.

Items stolen from your car are covered by homeowners or renters insurance, but will be subject to your deductible.

How to protect your car from theft

To protect your car from theft, keep it locked, don't leave your keys or any valuables in the vehicle, and park in well-lit areas. Install an anti-theft device to deter thieves. VIN etching and GPS tracking can help with recovery if the car is stolen.

Keep your car locked at all times.
Never leave your keys in the vehicle.
Make sure valuables are not visible in the car.
Park in well-lit and well-known areas.
Install an anti-theft system in the vehicle.
Have the VIN etched in the vehicle's glass.
Track your car with a GPS tracking device.

FAQ: Car theft

What should you do if you see a car that you suspect was stolen?

If you see a vehicle you believe was stolen, report it to the local police or call your area's crime tip line. Don't approach or try to confront the person with the vehicle. If the car is parked, take pictures and stay nearby until the police arrive.

What percentage of stolen cars are recovered?

More than 85% of stolen vehicles are recovered, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau's most recent data from 2023. 34% of those are recovered the same day they were stolen.

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