How do I know if my stolen car has been found?
Asked by: Austyn Frami Sr. | Last update: October 11, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (61 votes)
How will I know if my stolen car is found?
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) offers a free online service to check a vehicle identifcation number - or VIN - against its own database of reported stolen vehicles which have not been recovered.
Can I track my car after it's been stolen?
Use GPS Device to Track Your Stolen Car
If you've installed a GPS tracking system, like OnStar, LoJack, etc. to your vehicle, the company of the tracker can help you determine the location of your stolen car, and even shut it down.
What are the chances of finding your stolen car?
More than 85 percent of stolen vehicles are eventually recovered. Once you've provided information to the police, they can create a report. Make sure to get a copy of the police report as you'll need the info for the next step.
How to check status of stolen vehicle?
Use NICB's Free VINCheck® Service
NICB's VINCheck is a free service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle has been reported as stolen, but not recovered, or has been reported as a salvage vehicle by cooperating NICB member insurance companies.
How you can check if a car is stolen
What happens if your car is stolen and never found?
Your car insurance will cover a stolen car if you carry comprehensive insurance; you will have to pay the deductible. If your car is not recovered within 30 days, the insurance company will declare it a total loss and pay you its actual cash value.
How long does it usually take to find a stolen car?
Generally, if a stolen car is not found within 30 days of being reported, it's unlikely to be found at all. Thieves will often change license plates illegally before selling the car on, making it impossible to trace.
What time of day are most cars stolen?
Car thieves tend to steer clear of highly-visible areas, especially if there are security cameras or nosy neighbors around. This is especially important at night between 2 and 5 a.m. Since most people are asleep, that's the most common time for cars to be stolen.
Where do stolen cars usually end up?
According to the FBI, a car is stolen in the U.S. about once every 40 seconds. Many of them end up at ports like the Port of Baltimore, where they are put on cargo ships headed to West Africa.
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 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.
Is there an app to find stolen cars?
TheftPatrol Connected Car App gives you real-time location information nationwide using any PC, tablet or cell phone. You can access our hotline 24/7 and our team of recovery specialists will work with your local police department to recover your car within minutes.
How can I track a stolen car without GPS?
You can locate vehicles without GPS by using phone tracking apps or SIM-based tracking, which leverages cellular towers to provide location data. These methods offer a cost-effective alternative for basic vehicle tracking needs.
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.
Does Carfax show if a car is stolen?
Besides informing you if a car has been reported stolen, with our vehicle history report you will learn a lot more.
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.
What is the #1 place for stolen cars?
#1: Bakersfield, CA
Even in 2021, Bakersfield still places first in national car theft.
How quickly do police find stolen cars?
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 are the odds of finding my stolen car?
Interestingly, although California has a relatively high stolen car recovery rate (60%), the state also ranks fourth in the worst states for car theft nationally.
How are most stolen cars found?
Police Notification: The police are generally the ones who locate and recover stolen vehicles. They will contact you to inform you that your car has been found. The condition of your car when it's found can vary.
How can I track my car?
- Car Tracking Apps. Car tracking apps are one of the most convenient methods of tracking your car's location. ...
- Bluetooth Car Tracking. New. ...
- Car Locator Device. Car locator devices, also known as GPS trackers, offer advanced tracking capabilities.
What app can I use to find my stolen car?
StolenCar by AssetGuard LLC is the official app for StolenCar.com, which is the Nation's Neighborhood Watch for Stolen Vehicles. The app offers access to a highly relevant list of missing vehicles spread all across the country while enabling users to take photos of any license plates they believe might be stolen.
How can police track your car?
The GPS receivers used by police departments transmit their location data back to investigators. Investigators can monitor the movements of a suspect vehicle in real-time, or save the vehicle's movement history for review later.