What can I do if my car is stolen without insurance?

Asked by: Marcelo Dare  |  Last update: June 3, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (68 votes)

How To Report A Stolen Car Without Insurance. Even if you don't have insurance, it's still a good idea to file a police report. In our experience, most stolen cars end up being found by the police a few days later. You can call the non-emergency policy phone number and file a stolen vehicle report.

What happens if a car is stolen without insurance?

Your lack of insurance only means you will have to use your savings to buy another car, rather than getting an insurance payout. If you report it stolen, the police will mark it as stolen in the databases that record the history of the vehicle, regardless of your insurance cover.

What are the odds of getting your stolen car 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%.

Who pays when your car is stolen?

Stolen vehicles are protected by comprehensive coverage

If someone steals your vehicle and it's not recovered, your insurer will cut you a check for your car's current value if you have comprehensive coverage. This may be true even if the car was stolen with the keys in it.

Do you have to tell insurance your car was stolen?

If your car is stolen, you should file a claim with your insurance company. As long as you have comprehensive coverage, vehicle theft should be covered.

What Happens When Your Car Is Stolen Without Insurance?

20 related questions found

Do I get reimbursed if my car is stolen?

Yes, insurance will cover a stolen car if you carry comprehensive coverage on your policy. If the car is a total loss, which means it is either not found or it is found damaged to the point where it would cost more to repair than to replace, insurance will pay the actual cash value of the vehicle.

How long does it take 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.

Does your insurance go up after your car is stolen?

Claiming a stolen vehicle becomes a part of your insurance claim history. While comprehensive claims are generally not viewed as negatively as at-fault accidents, multiple claims, including theft claims, can still affect your premiums. Location Matters: The area where your car was stolen may influence your rates.

What happens when a car is reported stolen?

After you've filed a report with the police, the next call you need to make is to your insurance company. They will guide you through the process of filing a claim. Be prepared to provide them with information such as your policy number, the police report number and any other relevant details they may require.

Do police do anything about stolen cars?

Once the police receive the report, they will investigate and check for any leads or surveillance footage that could help identify the thief. They may also notify surrounding law enforcement agencies and other organizations specializing in stolen vehicle recovery, such as the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

How do I track my stolen car?

We've included every possible way on how to track a stolen car and how to find your lost car with step-by-step guides.
  1. File a “Car Stolen” Report to the Police. ...
  2. Track Stolen Car with VIN Number. ...
  3. Use GPS Device to Track Your Stolen Car. ...
  4. Check Security Camera Footage to Find Your Stolen Car. ...
  5. Contact Your Insurance Company.

What happens if a stolen car is found before insurance payout?

If you recovered your stolen vehicle while a claim remains open, your insurance company stops the claims process until your vehicle receives a thorough inspection. Your auto insurance company pays for any damages as defined by your policy.

How does gap insurance work if your car is stolen?

So, if you took out a loan or leased a car, and the car is totaled or stolen before you can pay off the loan, GAP insurance will cover the difference between what you owe on the loan and the car's resale value.

Can I sue the person who stole my car?

The answer to “Can I sue for a stolen car?” is yes, depending on the situation. The truth is that you can file a lawsuit for just about any theft. But it's important for you to understand the difference between a civil lawsuit and criminal proceedings.

What to do if you total your car without insurance?

To maintain your good credit, you should continue to make your loan or lease payments until the insurance company issues payment to your lender. If you don't have insurance or don't have enough coverage, you're on the hook for the balance left on your vehicle even though the car is no longer drivable.

How does gap insurance work?

GAP is an optional product that is intended to cover the difference between the amount you owe on your auto loan and the amount the insurance company pays if your car is stolen or totaled. Standard auto insurance only pays an amount up to the value of your vehicle.

What happens if my car is stolen without insurance?

Unfortunately, if your car is stolen and you don't have insurance coverage, you may be responsible for the full cost of replacing your vehicle. When a car is stolen, the owner typically files a police report and notifies their insurance company.

How do police investigate car theft?

Initial Investigation: The first step in any vehicle recovery effort is a thorough investigation. This includes gathering all available information about the incident, such as details from witnesses or security footage. The aim at this stage is to build a comprehensive picture that can guide subsequent efforts.

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 much will insurance give me if my car is stolen?

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 long until insurance pays for 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.

Does insurance cover money stolen from car?

Comprehensive auto insurance generally covers theft and vandalism. Car insurance typically doesn't cover theft of personal property inside the car—for that, you'll need to check your homeowners or renters policies. File a police report and an insurance claim as soon as possible after a theft happens.

What are the chances of getting your stolen car back?

The nature of that discussion will change considerably, as is the case with around 85% of stolen vehicles, yours is eventually recovered. If your stolen vehicle has been found, you and your insurance company will have to make important decisions about how to proceed.

Can I track my car if stolen?

It's a question we hear a lot — “can OnStar locate my car?” We sure can. Once law enforcement confirms your vehicle has been stolen, our Advisors use GPS to help authorities find your vehicle.

How do police recover stolen cars?

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.