What are the odds of getting a stolen car back?
Asked by: Josiah Witting | Last update: May 23, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (57 votes)
What are the odds of finding a stolen car?
More than 85 percent of passenger vehicles reported stolen were subsequently recovered by law enforcement or other means, with 34 percent recovered within a day of the vehicle being reported stolen.
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.
What happens if they can't find my stolen car?
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 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.
Getting your stolen car back
How likely am I to get my stolen car back?
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.
Will 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.
How do I get my stolen car back?
- 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 stolen car is not found?
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.
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.
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 I track my car if it's stolen?
Utilise GPS and Bluetooth Tracking
Access the tracking information and share it with law enforcement. For vehicles without built-in GPS, consider using Bluetooth-based tools. Devices like Apple AirTags or Tile trackers, if present in your car, can help pinpoint its location within a limited range.
Can police search a recovered stolen car?
Law enforcement can also search stolen vehicles that have been recovered.
Does a car lose value if it was stolen?
As long as a vehicle has a clean title, its resale value shouldn't change purely based on the theft. Depreciation would come from your insurance company and whether it places a salvage title on the car.
Do I have to pay a deductible if my car is stolen?
You will get paid MINUS your deductible. So if you have a loan on that car, then you would likely owe that deductible amount to your lienholder. But if you own your car free and clear, then there's no one you'd owe that deductible to.
How long does insurance take to pay for a stolen car?
The average timeframe for a stolen car insurance claim payout falls within 30-45 days, but several factors can influence this, such as the complexity of the investigation, the availability of the police report, and whether your car is recovered.