What happens to your car when it is stolen?
Asked by: Athena Will | Last update: May 11, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (65 votes)
What happens to cars that are stolen?
Your insurer will write the car off as a total loss and take it into their possession. 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.
What happens when your car is stolen and never found?
Often, the owner is legally obligated to pay for the losses, even if the car is never found. This means continuing to make payments on the loan according to the agreed-upon terms. Failure to do so can result in financial penalties, damaged credit, and potential legal action from the lender.
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.
Does your car 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.
How insurance works when your car is stolen: 2 Wants to Know
Will insurance pay me if my 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 still have to pay for your car if it gets stolen?
Easy answer. You still owe the money. Your theft insurance should cover most of the replacement cost. All loans require collision and theft insurance for the vehicle that you DO NOT own but are paying for.
Do cops usually find 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. Make sure to get a copy of the police report as you'll need the info for the next step.
How to track your car if stolen?
- File a “Car Stolen” Report to the Police. ...
- Track Stolen Car with VIN Number. ...
- Use GPS Device to Track Your Stolen Car. ...
- Check Security Camera Footage to Find Your Stolen Car. ...
- Contact Your Insurance Company.
What are the odds of getting a stolen car back?
If reported stolen in the first 24 hours, passenger vehicles had a 34 percent same-day recovery rate in 2023. More than 85 percent of stolen vehicles were recovered in 2023.
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.
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.
How do you 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.
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 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 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.
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 police track 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 long does it take to recover 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.
What happens when a car is reported stolen?
What happens after you report your car stolen? After your car is reported stolen, the police will place it on a list of stolen vehicles, and if they locate it, you'll be notified. In the meantime, you can start the claims process with your insurance company.
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.
How do police recover stolen cars?
GPS tracking technology is one of the most common methods of recovering stolen vehicles. Many vehicles have GPS systems that allow the owner to track the location of their vehicle in real-time. However, In some cases, an eyewitness can tip off the police.
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.
Will my insurance go up if my car was 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 to car payments when your car gets stolen?
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.