What happens to the person who stole my car?
Asked by: Jordan Maggio | Last update: September 9, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (62 votes)
What happens when someone steals your car?
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.
How do you deal with someone stealing your car?
Contact the police and have a report filed. Contact your insurance agent to see what losses are covered. If possible, find a safer place to park your car and don't leave anything valuable in your car.
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 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.
Hunting Down the People That Stole an Innocent Girl's Truck
What are the chances of getting your stolen car back?
According to Progressive Insurance's report, the US average rate for car theft recovery is 46%, but the rate varies greatly among states. For example, the stolen car recovery rate in Washington was 71%, in Utah was 63%, but only 28% in Alabama. All in all, the chance of finding a stolen car is quite high.
What happens if your stolen car is not found?
Your car insurance will cover a stolen car if you carry comprehensive insurance; you will have to pay the deductible. 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.
Where do stolen cars usually 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.
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.
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.
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.
How do I know if my stolen vehicle has been recovered?
About VINCheck
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.
Should you press charges if someone steals your car?
Yes, you should contact the police and file a report. They will investigate and can charge him with theft over $500 - a serious charge. The Court might make him pay it back as part of restitution. Contact the police through the non-emergency line and file the complaint.
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.
How to track your car if stolen?
- Confirm the Theft. ...
- Ask Around. ...
- Report to the Police. ...
- Leverage VIN Tracking. ...
- Check Nearby Security Cameras. ...
- Utilise GPS and Bluetooth Tracking. ...
- Engage the Community. ...
- Monitor Online Marketplaces.
Will the police find my stolen car?
Locate a Stolen Car By License Plate Number
When a car is reported as stolen, the police will request the vehicle's make, model, and license plate number. It's flagged to local patrol cars and surveillance cameras for them to spot if it passes by.
What happens if your car is stolen and you don't have 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.
Which car is being stolen the most?
- Kia Optima.
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
- Kia Soul.
- Honda Accord.
- Honda Civic.
- Kia Forte.
- Ford F150 Series Pickup.
- Kia Sportage.
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.
Do you have to accept a stolen car back?
The outcome of the legal process will determine the fate of your car. Return to the owner. If the ruling is that the vehicle should be returned to you, you must provide proof of ownership and pay any impound fees or storage fees before the vehicle can be released.
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 is the average time to find a stolen car?
On average, law enforcement typically finds a stolen vehicle within 48 hours of it being reported missing. But the process can also take much, much longer. So be patient as law enforcement searches for your vehicle.
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 much value does a stolen car lose?
The car's next title will be referred to as a salvage title, even if the car is in perfect condition. Previously stolen cars with a salvage title can lose anywhere from 20% to 40% of their original value.