Can you sue someone who steals your car?

Asked by: Luna Schaden  |  Last update: July 16, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (12 votes)

The answer to “Can I sue for a stolen car?” is yes, depending on the situation. The truth is that you can file a lawsuit for just about any theft. But it's important for you to understand the difference between a civil lawsuit and criminal proceedings.

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.

Will insurance pay you if someone steals 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.

Do you still have to pay for a car that is stolen?

Easy answer. You still owe the money. Your theft insurance should cover most of the replacement cost. All loans require collision and theft insurance for the vehicle that you DO NOT own but are paying for.

Can You Sue The Person Who Stole Your Car?

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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).

How much does insurance cover for 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.

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.

How long does it take police to find a stolen car?

If you report your car as stolen immediately to police, there's a better chance it will be recovered. In fact, according to NICB data, 35% of recovered stolen vehicles are recovered on the same day as the theft, and 45% are recovered within two days.

How long does insurance take to pay for a stolen car?

How long does it take for insurance to pay out on a stolen vehicle? The timeframe of an insurance payout for a stolen vehicle varies based on the company. But in general, you should expect the funds after a 30-day waiting period.

Can you sue someone for stealing a car?

The answer to “Can I sue for a stolen car?” is yes, depending on the situation. The truth is that you can file a lawsuit for just about any theft. But it's important for you to understand the difference between a civil lawsuit and criminal proceedings.

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 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.

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.

Can you report a car stolen if the person is on the insurance?

ANSWER: The answer to your question is yes. If the vehicle is titled in a person's name, no matter whether they make the payments or not, they can report the vehicle as stolen. I hope this information helps you. Please let me know if you have any other questions or need further clarification.

How to get a stolen car back?

How to Find a Stolen Car: 10 Effective Ways
  1. File a “Car Stolen” Report to the Police. ...
  2. Track Stolen Car with VIN Number. ...
  3. Use GPS Device to Track Your Stolen Car. ...
  4. Check Security Camera Footage to Find Your Stolen Car. ...
  5. Contact Your Insurance Company. ...
  6. Inform Your Leasing Company If Your Rented Car Is Stolen.

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.

What are the chances of getting my stolen car back?

The nature of that discussion will change considerably, as is the case with around 85% of stolen vehicles, yours is eventually recovered. If your stolen vehicle has been found, you and your insurance company will have to make important decisions about how to proceed.

How do you get your car back from someone?

If the vehicle is solely titled in your name and you have a key and can peacefully enter it, you may have a right to get it. Now, it is a civil matter, if the police will not get involved and another option would be to file a civil lawsuit against him, for a replevin action and sue, to recover it.

How much money do I get if my car is stolen?

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.

Will insurance cover if someone stole your car?

If your car has been stolen and you have comprehensive coverage, you should promptly file a claim with your auto insurer. Your insurer will likely investigate the theft. Once the investigation of a covered claim is complete, your insurer will reimburse you for your stolen car, up to your comprehensive coverage limit.

Will my insurance go up if my car was 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 still have to pay for your car if it gets stolen?

Unless you take out GAP insurance when financing a car, you will have to continue making monthly payments when the vehicle is stolen. However, you will be free to sign a new agreement once you have paid off the remaining balance on your auto loan.

Do I have to pay a deductible if my car is stolen?

If the vehicle is declared a total loss, your insurance company pays the actual cash value, just as they would if the car was stolen and not recovered. In both situations, your deductible would apply and be deducted from the claim payout.

What happens if my financed car gets stolen?

You will also need to continue making car payments, since you are still obligated for the debt even though you no longer possess the car. If you have comprehensive coverage, the lender or leasing company will be paid directly by the insurance company when the claim is settled, but only for the car's actual cash value.