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

Asked by: Miss Estelle Leannon IV  |  Last update: June 20, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (64 votes)

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.

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

The replacement payout would be equivalent to the market value of your stolen vehicle. The market value of your vehicle is what it was worth at the time it was stolen, not what you initially paid for it. With Comprehensive, you would also need to pay a deductible before your insurance pays out.

How does insurance work when your car is stolen?

Stolen vehicles are protected by comprehensive coverage

If you recover your vehicle, but it sustained damage while stolen, the repairs should be covered by comprehensive. In both situations, your comprehensive auto deductible would apply.

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

What happens if your car is stolen and you still owe money? Unfortunately, when your car is stolen, you are still obligated to make payments on it. If your insurance claim payout is approved, you can use the claims check to pay against any amount owed.

Does your insurance go up if your car is stolen?

Claim History: If you have filed claims in the past, adding another claim for a stolen vehicle could be seen as increasing your risk profile, which might lead to higher premiums. Insurance Coverage: The type of coverage you have can also play a role. Comprehensive coverage is what typically covers theft of a vehicle.

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Do I have to pay to get my stolen car back?

If your stolen vehicle is recovered, you may have to pay impound lot fees to get it back. These costs depend on your location and the base fee of the impound lot, but expect to see at least a $250 base fee plus about $60 per day for the time the car sits on the lot.

What happens if your car gets stolen from a dealership?

The dealer's insurance should cover this loss. While the car is in their possession they must take care to prevent damage or theft. So, Monday morning make a claim to their insurance and if they do not offer a reasonable settlement then you will have to sue them.

How does GAP insurance work if your car is stolen?

So, if you took out a loan or leased a car, and the car is totaled or stolen before you can pay off the loan, GAP insurance will cover the difference between what you owe on the loan and the car's resale value.

What usually happens when a car is stolen?

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.

What happens if your car gets stolen and no 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.

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

You'll still owe the remainder of the loan. With theft coverage? If you had GAP insurance, you'll get whatever is owed on the loan. If you didn't have GAP insurance, you'll get the actual cash value of the car, and you'll owe whatever the difference is between what is owed on the loan and the ACV.

Does insurance pay for a stolen car if the key is in it?

If you have comprehensive coverage on the vehicle, then you're generally covered if it's stolen — even if you left the keys in the car. If you're a victim of auto theft, contact your local police station to file a report, then get in touch with your insurance company.

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 does insurance pay out a stolen car?

If your car is stolen, you would file a police report, then file a car insurance claim. For a covered claim, your insurer would cut you a check for $7,500 (the actual cash value minus your deductible), to help you replace your stolen vehicle.

Is theft a deductible expense?

The Internal Revenue Code has let some taxpayers deduct unreimbursed losses caused by recent disasters and thefts from their income subject to the income tax.

Do you always have to pay car deductible?

What Coverage Requires Deductibles? Liability insurance may not require deductibles, but other kinds of car insurance do, according to Esurance. Uninsured motorist coverage may require a deductible, but comprehensive and collision insurance nearly always do.

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.

What are the odds 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.

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 happens if your car gets stolen and you have full coverage state farm?

If you have collision or comprehensive coverage, your auto insurance policy may cover a totaled or stolen car. In the case of a covered loss, you will typically be paid the actual cash value of your car minus your deductible.

Will gap insurance pay my deductible?

GAP generally covers your auto insurance deductible up to $1,000.00. However, GAP does not reimburse your deductible in the event of a $0.00 GAP benefit.

What happens if my financed car is 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.

How do I track my car if it's stolen?

Utilise GPS and Bluetooth Tracking

Access the tracking information and share it with law enforcement. For vehicles without built-in GPS, consider using Bluetooth-based tools. Devices like Apple AirTags or Tile trackers, if present in your car, can help pinpoint its location within a limited range.

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.