Do you get a new car if your car is stolen?

Asked by: Prof. Delilah McCullough  |  Last update: August 20, 2025
Score: 5/5 (33 votes)

Comprehensive coverage will pay to replace your vehicle or to repair it if it's found damaged. You will have to pay the deductible amount you choose, and then your insurance company will pay you the actual cash value of your car. This coverage is part of what's referred to as "full coverage."

What happens to your car when it is stolen?

If your car is stolen, you should file a claim with your insurance company. As long as you have comprehensive coverage, vehicle theft should be covered. If the car is later recovered after the claim has been paid, it's the insurance company's property.

What happens when my financed car gets stolen?

If your financed car is stolen, you will not get your down payment back. You will also need to continue making car payments because you are still obligated for the debt under the loan contract. That contract does not care if you have the car or not, it was for making payments on a loan.

What do you get if your car is stolen?

Stolen vehicles are protected by comprehensive coverage

This may be true even if the car was stolen with the keys in it. 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.

Does your car 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.

Steps to take if your car is stolen

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Will insurance replace a stolen car?

If your car gets stolen, Comprehensive insurance will help cover the cost of repairs if it's found damaged or provide money towards a replacement if the vehicle is unrecoverable. The replacement payout would be equivalent to the market value of your stolen vehicle.

How long until insurance pays for 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.

How long does it take to recover 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.

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.

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 do I track my car if it's stolen?

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.

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 cover a stolen car?

GAP insurance is optional car insurance that can help pay off your loan if your car is totaled in an accident or stolen and you owe more than the car's depreciated value.

What happens if your 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.

Do stolen cars ever get returned?

The quicker you report the theft, the higher the chances of recovering your vehicle. According to the Insurance Information Institute, cars reported stolen in the first 24 hours have a 34 percent same-day recovery rate. More than 85 percent of stolen vehicles are eventually recovered.

What color cars get stolen the most?

Common colours that blend in well (like black, grey, and silver) are more likely to be stolen as they are easier to sell. Resale Value: Cars in less common colours may have a lower resale value in black markets, reducing their attractiveness to thieves who are looking for high-demand vehicles.

How much will insurance give me if my car is stolen?

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.

What happens when your car is stolen then found?

You'll need to transfer the title of your vehicle at or before time of payment to resolve the claim. This means that if your car is found after your claim has been resolved and paid out, your insurance company will take ownership of it. There is nothing else you need to do.

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.

What are the chances of getting your 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.

Can a dealership track a stolen car?

GPS tracking devices allow dealerships to monitor these vehicles, ensuring they know where each asset is at all times. In cases where vehicles are stolen, dealerships can rapidly recover them thanks to SVR (Stolen Vehicle Recovery) systems.

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.

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.

Do police investigate stolen cars?

Police Investigation Process

Upon reporting the theft to the appropriate police departments, the larceny and auto theft unit immediately springs into action.