Can I sue someone if they stole my car?
Asked by: Prof. Lorna O'Conner | Last update: June 19, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (7 votes)
Can you sue if someone steals your car?
If your insurance does not fully compensate you for this issue, then you can sue the person who stole the car from you. You can sue for up to $12k in small claims court in your state. If you need to sue for more, you would sue in state court, which is a similar procedure, just a different court.
What happens to the person who stole my car?
Types of Liability (Criminal vs.
Civil liability involves being responsible for compensating someone for damages. In the case of a stolen car, the thief would face criminal charges for theft, while civil liability depends on insurance coverage and potential negligence.
How do you deal with someone stealing your car?
Contact the police and have a report filed. Contact your insurance agent to see what losses are covered. If possible, find a safer place to park your car and don't leave anything valuable in your car.
How much money do you get if someone steals your car?
If someone steals your car and you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance provider will pay out based on your vehicle's actual cash value. This doesn't mean they give you the amount you paid for your car. Instead, they pay out the cost to replace it minus depreciation.
Can You Sue The Person Who Stole Your Car?
Will insurance cover if someone stole your car?
Stolen vehicles are protected by comprehensive coverage
If someone steals your vehicle and it's not recovered, your insurer will cut you a check for your car's current value if you have comprehensive coverage. This may be true even if the car was stolen with the keys in it.
What is the process when someone steals your car?
After you've filed a report with the police, the next call you need to make is to your insurance company. They will guide you through the process of filing a claim. Be prepared to provide them with information such as your policy number, the police report number and any other relevant details they may require.
How long does it take for a stolen car to be found?
Most cars are recovered within 48 hours. It's the police's job to try and track down your car and you'll need a police report to provide to your insurance company.
How much does it cost to press charges for theft?
A victim of a crime does not have to pay a fee for a prosecutor to press charges. Instead, taxpayer money will fund any further investigations and trials.
What do thieves do after stealing a car?
Chopping up cars and selling the parts
Many criminals send stolen cars to chop shops, which provide lucrative opportunities for car thieves. Once a car is stolen, chop shop operators strip them for parts and sell them to other people who need parts for crashed cars.
Do cops investigate stolen vehicles?
Vehicle Tracking and Identification: With insights gained from forensics and initial investigations, law enforcement agencies then proceed with tracking down and identifying stolen vehicles.
Can you sue for theft?
You can sue for damages for the value of what was stolen, if it is within the monetary jurisdiction of the small claims court. If your requested relief is an order for the return of the item, then no. You need to go to a trail court of general jurisdiction for an order that the item be returned.
What happens if your friend steals your car?
If someone steals your car, report the theft to the police immediately and inform your insurance company immediately. Timely reporting can make the claims process smoother and help protect you from undue liability.
Am I liable if my car is stolen?
On average, in California, nearly 200,000 vehicles are stolen each year. Generally, a real vehicle owner would not be liable when their vehicle is stolen and used in some other negligent or intentional act that harms people or property.
Is it worth pressing charges for theft?
Legal Implications of Pressing Charges
Restitution: Pressing charges could lead to financial recovery for you if the court mandates restitution. Future Consequences for the Offender: Your decision could impact the future of the person who committed the theft—it's essential to weigh this carefully.
Does your insurance go up after your car is stolen?
Claiming a stolen vehicle becomes a part of your insurance claim history. While comprehensive claims are generally not viewed as negatively as at-fault accidents, multiple claims, including theft claims, can still affect your premiums. Location Matters: The area where your car was stolen may influence your rates.
Do you go to jail if someone presses charges?
The police won't always arrest someone and take them to jail when a criminal report is filed against them or the prosecutor chooses to press charges. Whether the police take you to jail or not before trial depends on how much the police consider you a threat in your likelihood to: Run away.
Can you charge someone with theft without proof?
You can be charged with theft without evidence because you can control or transfer property without a paper trail. For example, you might steal a car and leave it with a junkyard that proceeds to break the vehicle into pieces.
Is pressing charges the same as suing?
No, pressing charges is not the same as suing. Pressing charges involves a criminal case initiated by the state while suing—specifically, is pressing charges the same as suing? —is a civil action pursued by individuals seeking financial compensation.
How do cops track stolen cars?
The Police Tracking Computer provides the police officer, via the dispatcher, all pertinent information about the stolen vehicle. The LoJack monitor installed in patrol cars has a strength indicator that tells the officer if he is within one mile of the stolen vehicle, allowing time for back-up help to be called.
What are the chances of getting your stolen car back?
According to Progressive Insurance's report, the US average rate for car theft recovery is 46%, but the rate varies greatly among states. For example, the stolen car recovery rate in Washington was 71%, in Utah was 63%, but only 28% in Alabama. All in all, the chance of finding a stolen car is quite high.
Does insurance cover a stolen car?
Car Theft Insurance: When Am I Entitled to Coverage? Downey drivers whose cars are stolen in Califonia will have car theft insurance if they have comprehensive coverage. That should cover you up to the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of your vehicle. If your car is damaged due to a break-in, you'll also be covered.
Do police do anything about stolen cars?
Once the police receive the report, they will investigate and check for any leads or surveillance footage that could help identify the thief. They may also notify surrounding law enforcement agencies and other organizations specializing in stolen vehicle recovery, such as the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
What happens if your car is stolen and you don't have insurance?
Unfortunately, if your car is stolen and you don't have insurance coverage, you may be responsible for the full cost of replacing your vehicle. When a car is stolen, the owner typically files a police report and notifies their insurance company.
Can I report my car stolen if someone stops making payments?
At this point, since he took your property without your consent and has deprived you of both the car and the compensation you are owed, you have valid legal grounds to consider the vehicle stolen and report it as such to law enforcement.