How quickly do police find stolen cars?
Asked by: Roosevelt Farrell | Last update: September 4, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (29 votes)
How long does it take for police 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 are the odds of the police finding a 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 long does it take for police to follow up on a police report?
Some have no set standards, so you could look at anywhere from a day to up to four weeks or even longer. It's important to ask the responding officer if they can give you an idea, but don't expect any guarantee. Law enforcement needs time to process police reports before providing them to the parties involved.
How quickly are stolen cars found?
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 Do Police Find Stolen Vehicles? - SecurityFirstCorp.com
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.
Is it hard to find a stolen car?
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.
How do police track 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.
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.
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.
Where do most stolen cars 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 to find out if your stolen car was 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 its been stolen?
Locating your vehicle
After reporting the vehicle stolen to law enforcement, contact an OnStar Advisor at 1.888. 4ONSTAR (1.888. 466.7827) to begin the process of locating and recovering your vehicle. Built-in GPS technology can help the Advisor find your vehicle and relay its location to the proper authorities.
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.
How much will insurance pay 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.
How do police recover stolen cars?
GPS tracking technology is one of the most common methods of recovering stolen vehicles. Many vehicles have GPS systems that allow the owner to track the location of their vehicle in real-time. However, In some cases, an eyewitness can tip off the police.
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.
What is the likelihood of getting a stolen car back?
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 far can a cop legally follow you?
How long can a cop follow your car? There is no time limit or mileage limit on how long a cop can follow you before pulling you over. As long as they're in their jurisdiction, they can follow you during their entire shift.
How long does an investigation usually take?
Most investigations take a few months - that is, generally speaking. If the evidence is particularly strong, police may be ready to make an arrest within days of the initial report coming in.