What happens after police find your stolen car?
Asked by: Luna Muller II | Last update: August 20, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (17 votes)
What are the chances of getting my 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.
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 usually happens to stolen cars?
According to the NICB, more than 85% of stolen cars were recovered in 2022, the most recent year for which data is available. About 34% of those were recovered within the first 24 hours of the car being reported stolen.
How much does it cost to press charges for theft?
A victim of a crime does not have to pay a fee for a prosecutor to press charges. Instead, taxpayer money will fund any further investigations and trials.
New Technology Helps Find Stolen Car
Does insurance pay you out for a stolen car?
Does my insurance cover car theft? Yes, comprehensive coverage on your car insurance policy covers theft. However, you will need to pay your deductible before receiving any payout.
Does a recovered stolen car lose value?
A clean title is what guarantees the same resale value as before the car was stolen. However, if your car doesn't meet these conditions, it will depreciate, and it may even become a salvage vehicle.
How do police track 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.
Do I have to pay to get my stolen car back?
If your stolen vehicle is recovered, you may have to pay impound lot fees to get it back. These costs depend on your location and the base fee of the impound lot, but expect to see at least a $250 base fee plus about $60 per day for the time the car sits on the lot.
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 do police find stolen cars?
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.
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.
Is it illegal for police to track your car?
One can only install a GPS device with a warrant issued by a magistrate. It is an offense to install, hide or place an electronic tracking device on a motor vehicle without the permission of its owner.
What happens after you file a police report for theft?
If there is a known suspect, a witness, workable information or clues left behind by the suspect, the officer(s) will attempt to work the case. If there are no suspects or clues the case will be filed as open. Usually you will not hear from an officer unless new evidence develops.
Would I be notified if I was under investigation?
The law does not require federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies to notify you when you are under investigation or suspected of criminal activity.
How do you know if the police are looking for you?
One of the strongest signs you are being investigated is that law enforcement officials contact you. They could call or text you or leave their card at your door with a request to contact them. They may also go to your home and ask you to go to the police station for questioning or visit you at your job.
What happens when your car is stolen then found?
You'll need to transfer the title of your vehicle at or before time of payment to resolve the claim. This means that if your car is found after your claim has been resolved and paid out, your insurance company will take ownership of it. There is nothing else you need to do.
How long does a stolen car claim take?
Jessica, ALL stolen cars can NOT be settled before 30 days. The insurance companies give the police that long to find your car.
How much do you get if your car is stolen?
If someone steals your car and you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance provider will pay out based on your vehicle's actual cash value. This doesn't mean they give you the amount you paid for your car. Instead, they pay out the cost to replace it minus depreciation.
How do you fight theft charges?
One of the most common defenses against theft is challenging the intent element, which is an essential element of the crime. For an act to be considered theft, there must be an intent to deprive the property owner. If a defendant did not have the required intent, they cannot be convicted of the crime.
Do you go to jail if someone presses charges?
The police won't always arrest someone and take them to jail when a criminal report is filed against them or the prosecutor chooses to press charges. Whether the police take you to jail or not before trial depends on how much the police consider you a threat in your likelihood to: Run away.
What would you be charged with for theft?
Petty theft is a misdemeanor and carries a maximum punishment of up to six months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Grand theft involves taking money or property valued more than $950. Grand theft is what's called a “wobbler” in California. This means it can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor.