How long does it take police to find a stolen car?
Asked by: Dr. Abbie Maggio | Last update: August 30, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (8 votes)
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.
What happens if my stolen car is not 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.
Can police track down a stolen car?
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.
How do I know if my stolen car has been found?
NICB's VINCheck is a free lookup service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle may have a record of an insurance theft claim, and has not been recovered, or has ever been reported as a salvage vehicle by participating NICB member insurance companies.
Portland police using data science to find stolen cars
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.
How long does it usually take for 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.
What happens if they never find your car?
If your lender can't locate your vehicle to do a "self-help" repossession, they can still sue you for the vehicle. This will involve a small claims case, where the judge will order you to give the car to the lender. You might even be compelled to Court to provide testimony about the location of the vehicle.
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.
How quickly are stolen cars found?
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.
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.
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.
Do police actually look for stolen cars?
Answer: Police departments do care about stolen cars and allocate resources to investigate these crimes. They utilize various techniques, including visiting crime scenes, gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and employing technology such as license plate recognition to track and recover stolen vehicles.
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.
What is the #1 place for stolen cars?
#1: Bakersfield, CA
Even in 2021, Bakersfield still places first in national car theft.
What happens if they can't find my stolen car?
In the wake of a stolen car, one term that often surfaces is “total loss.” When a stolen vehicle is not recovered, or if it is found but has sustained irreparable damage, insurance companies may deem it a total loss.
What happens if the repo man never finds your car?
What Happens If the Repo Agent Doesn't Find Your Car? But if you make it hard for the repo agent to get it, then the creditor may use another method to get the car back, called "replevin." Replevin can be just as costly as a repossession, if not more so.
Can the police help me find my car?
Contact the police. They will search for your missing car and then release it to you if they find it.
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 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.
Do you have to accept a stolen car back?
The outcome of the legal process will determine the fate of your car. Return to the owner. If the ruling is that the vehicle should be returned to you, you must provide proof of ownership and pay any impound fees or storage fees before the vehicle can be released.
What happens to cars when they are stolen?
Your insurer will write the car off as a total loss and take it into their possession. The car's next title will be referred to as a salvage title, even if the car is in perfect condition. Previously stolen cars with a salvage title can lose anywhere from 20% to 40% of their original value.
What car is the most commonly stolen?
- Ford Pickup (Full Size) ...
- Honda Civic. ...
- Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) ...
- Honda Accord. ...
- Toyota Camry. ...
- Nissan Altima. ...
- Toyota Corolla. ...
- Dodge Pickup (Full Size)