What are the chances of getting your stolen car back?
Asked by: Antonina Jakubowski | Last update: August 7, 2025Score: 5/5 (75 votes)
What are the chances of finding my 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.
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 quickly are stolen cars found?
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.
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.
Getting your stolen car back
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 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 happens if my car is stolen and not recovered?
If the car is not found within 30 days, the insurance company will usually decide it's a total loss and pay you the actual cash value.
How long does it take 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.
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 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.
What is the #1 place for stolen cars?
#1: Bakersfield, CA
Even in 2021, Bakersfield still places first in national car theft.
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.
What are the odds of recovering a stolen car?
These vehicles and equipment are popular targets because of their high resale value, popularity, and availability. Of the 198,538 vehicles stolen statewide in 2022, 86.7 percent were successfully recovered, representing 172,083 recovered vehicles.
Which car is impossible to steal?
According to an insurance report by HLDI, vehicles like the Tesla and other fully electric vehicles remain among the hardest overall for thieves to steal. Volvo XC60, Subaru Ascent, and certain Chevy and GMC models are giving car thieves a run for their money also.
How many car thieves get caught?
Nationally, solve rates for vehicle theft have remained low. FBI estimates going back as far as 2000 show less than 1 in 5 such cases were "cleared" — meaning police either made an arrest or had enough information to solve the case.
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.
Is it true that every 33 seconds a car is stolen?
“Approximately one motor vehicle is stolen every 32 seconds, which adds up to more than one million vehicles stolen last year," said David J. Glawe, President and CEO of the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
What is the average time to find a stolen car?
On average, law enforcement typically finds a stolen vehicle within 48 hours of it being reported missing. But the process can also take much, much longer. So be patient as law enforcement searches for your vehicle.
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.
How do I track my car for theft?
- File a “Car Stolen” Report to the Police. ...
- Track Stolen Car with VIN Number. ...
- Use GPS Device to Track Your Stolen Car. ...
- Check Security Camera Footage to Find Your Stolen Car. ...
- Contact Your Insurance Company. ...
- Inform Your Leasing Company If Your Rented Car Is Stolen.
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.