What happens if your car is stolen and never found?
Asked by: Enos Feil | Last update: October 26, 2025Score: 5/5 (51 votes)
What are the chances 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%.
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.
Can cars be tracked if stolen?
There are 5 different ways to track a stolen car: Report the license plate to the police. Check its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) maintenance log. Find the location using a pre-installed Bluetooth tracking system.
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 insurance works when your car is stolen: 2 Wants to Know
How long does it take for a stolen car to be found?
Most cars are recovered within 48 hours. It's the police's job to try and track down your car and you'll need a police report to provide to your insurance company.
What usually happens to stolen cars?
More than 85 percent of stolen vehicles are eventually recovered. Once you've provided information to the police, they can create a report.
Can police track down a stolen car?
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.
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.
Will my car be totaled if stolen?
If your car is not recovered within 30 days, the insurance company will declare it a total loss and pay you its actual cash value.
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 long does a stolen vehicle remain on file?
Unrecovered stolen vehicle records (including snowmobile records) which contain VIN's or OANs will remain in file for the year of entry plus 4. b. Unrecovered vehicles wanted in conjunction with a felony will remain in file for 90 days after entry.
What happens when a car is reported stolen?
Reporting the theft to law enforcement also provides you with a record to show to your insurer -- another place you want to report your stolen vehicle to immediately -- providing information as to where it was located, what you found at the scene (broken glass on the ground for example) and approximate time it could ...
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.
Do car thieves ever get caught?
Police solve only a fraction of cases
A CBS News analysis of police data from more than a dozen U.S. cities found nearly all of car theft cases go unsolved.
What happens if your car is stolen and you still owe money?
Unless you take out GAP insurance when financing a car, you will have to continue making monthly payments when the vehicle is stolen. However, you will be free to sign a new agreement once you have paid off the remaining balance on your auto loan.
What do cops do when your car is stolen?
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).
What happens if your car gets stolen and you have full 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.
Can police locate a car?
With a GPS unit on a suspect's car, it's easy for police to know their whereabouts without the suspect even knowing they're being tracked.
What app can I use to find my stolen car?
TheftPatrol Connected Car App gives you real-time location information nationwide using any PC, tablet or cell phone. You can access our hotline 24/7 and our team of recovery specialists will work with your local police department to recover your car within minutes.
What type of car is stolen the most?
- Kia Optima: 30,204 thefts.
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 23,721 thefts.
- Kia Soul: 21,001 thefts.
- Honda Accord: 20,895.
- Honda Civic: 19,858.
- Kia Forte: 16,209.
- Ford F150 Series Pickup: 15,852.
- Kia Sportage: 15,749.
Who is responsible if your car is stolen?
Explanation of Liability
When your car is stolen, the thief usually takes on the liability for any accidents they cause. However, certain situations might complicate this general rule, making it essential to know the specifics.
What is the likelihood of getting a stolen car back?
Interestingly, although California has a relatively high stolen car recovery rate (60%), the state also ranks fourth in the worst states for car theft nationally.