What happens after they find your stolen car?
Asked by: Justyn Aufderhar Sr. | Last update: November 8, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (10 votes)
What to do if my stolen car is found?
Just contact the local police department and notify them you have found your car and it is currently registered as a stolen vehicle and you need an officer to come and do a recovery report and check the vehicle.
What happens to stolen cars that are found?
They'll give the police some time to find it. If it's found and it's repairable, they fix it. If not, they total it. It's not your choice to take it back or not if they find it.
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 insurance works when your car is stolen: 2 Wants to Know
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 if you find your car after it was stolen?
What happens if my car was stolen and recovered? 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. If the car is later recovered after the claim has been paid, it's the insurance company's property.
Will the police call me if they find my stolen car?
As a rule, yes, they let the car's owner know that they have found their car. If you've reported your car stolen and the Police have located it, they're GOING to inform you of that.
Does your insurance go up if your car is stolen?
Claim History: If you have filed claims in the past, adding another claim for a stolen vehicle could be seen as increasing your risk profile, which might lead to higher premiums. Insurance Coverage: The type of coverage you have can also play a role. Comprehensive coverage is what typically covers theft of a vehicle.
Do police actively look for stolen cars?
Answer: Police departments do care about stolen cars and allocate resources to investigate these crimes. They utilize various techniques, including visiting crime scenes, gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and employing technology such as license plate recognition to track and recover stolen vehicles.
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.
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.
Do stolen cars usually get found?
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.
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.
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.
How much money will I get if my 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.
What do police do with recovered stolen cars?
Impoundment. Then your vehicle will usually be impounded at a secure location, such as a police impound lot, to preserve any evidence and prevent unauthorized access or damage to the car. Investigation. The police will investigate who stole the vehicle and gather any other information that may be relevant to the case.
What happens if your car gets stolen and you have no 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.