What are the chances of getting my stolen car back?

Asked by: Idella Hoppe  |  Last update: June 14, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (42 votes)

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.

Do people usually get stolen cars back?

In many cases, stolen vehicles are eventually recovered by law enforcement. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, the national recovery rate for stolen motor vehicles in the United States is around 58%.

What is the likelihood of getting back a stolen car?

The faster you report your car stolen, the better your chances of recovering it. 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 fast are stolen cars recovered?

According to NICB data, 34 percent of recovered stolen vehicles are recovered on the same day as the theft, and 45 percent are recovered within two days. Reporting the theft to law enforcement also provides a record to show to your insurer.

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.

Getting your stolen car back

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What happens if my car is stolen and not recovered?

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.

Will the police find my stolen car?

Contact the Police. They will help you trace down your stolen vehicle with the information you provide.

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 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 I track my stolen car?

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a critical tool in locating a stolen car. Services like AutoCheck and NICB's VinCheck enable you to monitor activity related to your vehicle. VIN tracking is particularly effective if the thief attempts to resell the car or if it's taken to a mechanic for repairs.

How much do you get back if your car is stolen?

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.

What happens to the person who stole my car?

Types of Liability (Criminal vs.

Civil liability involves being responsible for compensating someone for damages. In the case of a stolen car, the thief would face criminal charges for theft, while civil liability depends on insurance coverage and potential negligence.

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 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 much value does a stolen car lose?

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 are the odds of getting a stolen car back?

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.

Do car thieves ever get caught?

Police solve only a fraction of cases

A CBS News analysis of police data from more than a dozen U.S. cities found nearly all of car theft cases go unsolved.

How long does it usually 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.

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.

Do car thieves look for trackers?

Signal scanning:

As the twenty-first century continues, car thieves have become much more technologically savvy. Signal scanning is one of the many ways they try to detect whether a tracker is installed in a vehicle.

How to check if a 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.

What is the #1 place for stolen cars?

#1: Bakersfield, CA

Even in 2021, Bakersfield still places first in national car theft.

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.

What type of car is stolen the most?

What vehicle is most often stolen?
  • Kia Optima: 30,204 thefts.
  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 23,721 thefts.
  • Kia Soul: 21,001 thefts.
  • Honda Accord: 20,895.
  • Honda Civic: 19,858.
  • Kia Forte: 16,209.
  • Ford F150 Series Pickup: 15,852.
  • Kia Sportage: 15,749.