What happens when a car is stolen from a dealership?

Asked by: Cheyanne Klocko  |  Last update: June 24, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (57 votes)

The car dealers generally tell the car owners to file the theft claim with their own insurance and you might have to pay a deductible when you did nothing wrong. In this situation your insurance company may go after the car dealer's insurance company to cover the cost.

What happens if my financed car is stolen?

If your financed car is stolen, you will not get your down payment back. You will also need to continue making car payments because you are still obligated for the debt under the loan contract. That contract does not care if you have the car or not, it was for making payments on a loan.

What happens to cars that are stolen?

It depends on the situation, your police department's procedures and your insurance company's procedures. If the car is not found within 30 days, the insurance company will usually decide it's a total loss and pay you the actual cash value. It's the amount your insurance will pay if your car is totaled or stolen.

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.

Do you get reimbursed if your car is stolen?

Yes, if you have comprehensive coverage on your policy, auto insurance can help pay for your stolen vehicle if you don't recover it.

Thieves steal $100K BMW, luxury cars from dealership showroom!

39 related questions found

How much money do 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.

Do stolen cars ever get returned?

The quicker you report the theft, the higher the chances of recovering your vehicle. According to the Insurance Information Institute, cars reported stolen in the first 24 hours have a 34 percent same-day recovery rate. More than 85 percent of stolen vehicles are eventually recovered.

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.

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 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.

How long after a car is stolen will the insurance company pay?

The average timeframe for a stolen car insurance claim payout falls within 30-45 days, but several factors can influence this, such as the complexity of the investigation, the availability of the police report, and whether your car is recovered.

Do cops investigate stolen vehicles?

Vehicle Tracking and Identification: With insights gained from forensics and initial investigations, law enforcement agencies then proceed with tracking down and identifying stolen vehicles.

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.

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.

How do I track my car if it's stolen?

There are 5 different ways to track a stolen car:
  1. Report the license plate to the police.
  2. Check its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) maintenance log.
  3. Find the location using a pre-installed Bluetooth tracking system.
  4. Locate the car using a pre-installed GPS tracker.

Does insurance cover money stolen from car?

Comprehensive auto insurance generally covers theft and vandalism. Car insurance typically doesn't cover theft of personal property inside the car—for that, you'll need to check your homeowners or renters policies. File a police report and an insurance claim as soon as possible after a theft happens.

What is the insurance process for a stolen car?

If your car is stolen, you would file a police report, then file a car insurance claim. For a covered claim, your insurer would cut you a check for $7,500 (the actual cash value minus your deductible), to help you replace your stolen vehicle.

What happens if your car gets stolen and you don't have full coverage?

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

How fast do stolen cars get found?

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.

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.

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.