What to do if someone tries to steal your car?

Asked by: Damon Rice  |  Last update: October 31, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (22 votes)

Be vigilant and call the police!

What to do when someone attempts to steal 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.

Should I call the police if someone tried to steal my car?

Call the police and report the theft of your vehicle, giving them all the pertinent information.

What do you get if someone steals your car?

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.

Can I stop someone from stealing my car?

Preventing car theft not only means protecting your car, but also to make it clear your car is not an easy target. Taking steps to deter thieves such as investing in anti-theft devices, parking in well-lit areas and concealing valuables can improve the security of your vehicle.

How to Outsmart Car Thieves: 5 Essential Tips You Need to Know

21 related questions found

Should you press charges if someone steals your 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 to stop people from stealing your car?

Follow these simple rules to protect your vehicle from thieves.
  1. Lock your vehicle. ...
  2. Keep the keys safe. ...
  3. Be aware of carjackers. ...
  4. Park responsibly. ...
  5. Watch for illegal tow trucks. ...
  6. Fit good in-car security locks. ...
  7. Double-check electronic locking. ...
  8. Before owning, check for cloning.

Does insurance cover attempted car theft?

Does Liability Insurance Cover Theft in California? Every driver is legally required to carry liability insurance, which is designed to cover the other party if you cause an accident. Liability insurance doesn't cover theft, just damage and bodily injury to the other party caused by an accident where you are at fault.

What is it called when someone steals your car?

Grand Theft Auto (also called GTA)– California Penal Code section 487(d)(1) – Grand Theft Auto is charged when someone takes another person's car or vehicle without the owner's consent and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the car or to take the car for a period of time that would deprive the owner of ...

Should I file a police report if someone tried to steal my car?

Notify the police and file a report

When someone tries to steal your car, this could mean additional danger for the surrounding area, so it's worth reporting. Depending on the severity of the crime and where it occurred, the reporting process may differ somewhat.

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.

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.

Can you sue someone for stealing your vehicle?

If your insurance does not fully compensate you for this issue, then you can sue the person who stole the car from you. You can sue for up to $12k in small claims court in your state. If you need to sue for more, you would sue in state court, which is a similar procedure, just a different court.

Do I need to contact DMV if my car is stolen?

The reason you need to report the theft to your state's DMV is so they can update the vehicle identification number in their records to indicate it has been stolen. This helps prevent any potential fraudulent use of your vehicle's registration and title.

How do you know if someone tried to steal your car?

Look for broken windows, scratches, damaged locks, or signs of forced entry. These are clear signs someone has tried to access your car.

What are the odds of getting a 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 cops catch car thieves?

A bait car, also called a decoy car, hot car, or trap car, is a vehicle used by law enforcement agencies to capture car thieves or thieves who steal items from cars. The vehicles are modified with audio/video surveillance technology, and can be remotely monitored and controlled.

How do 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.

What does theft attempted mean on car?

This could be a problem with one of the computers, the ignition switch, or with the wiring to one of the computers. They could be sensing that a break in/theft attempt occurred. There should be some trouble codes set in the computers that will tell us which of the sensors is acting up.

Do you have to pay a deductible 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.

What to do if you see someone trying to steal your car?

In the event that you see someone stealing your car, do not try to stop him physically. Instead, make as much noise as possible and call the police. Report the theft as soon as possible.

How do I make sure someone doesn't steal my car?

The NHTSA recommends the following:
  1. Always take your car keys.
  2. Lock your doors and close your windows.
  3. Try to park in well-lit areas.
  4. Don't leave valuables in your car.

What is the most secure car against theft?

According to an insurance report by HLDI, vehicles like the Tesla and other fully electric vehicles remain among the hardest overall for thieves to steal. Volvo XC60, Subaru Ascent, and certain Chevy and GMC models are giving car thieves a run for their money also.