Will insurance pay me if my car is stolen?

Asked by: Ms. Belle Blick Sr.  |  Last update: June 5, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (12 votes)

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 get reimbursed if your car is stolen?

Yes, insurance will cover a stolen car if you carry comprehensive coverage on your policy. If the car is a total loss, which means it is either not found or it is found damaged to the point where it would cost more to repair than to replace, insurance will pay the actual cash value of the vehicle.

How much will insurance pay for 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.

Does insurance pay off your car if it's 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 does insurance determine the value of a stolen car?

Insurance companies generally use your car's ACV to determine whether it's a total loss after an accident. If you have comprehensive or collision coverage, most auto insurance policies will also largely base your payment on the car's ACV after it's totaled or stolen.

Will Insurance Pay for my Stolen Car? | Comprehensive Car Insurance

16 related questions found

Does insurance cover cash stolen from a car?

While an auto insurance policy that contains comprehensive coverage typically helps protect you in case your car is stolen or may help pay for repair costs if your car is damaged when someone breaks into it, a car insurance policy usually doesn't pay to replace personal property stolen from your car.

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.

How long until insurance pays for a stolen car?

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.

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.

What happens if your car gets stolen from a dealership?

The dealer's insurance should cover this loss. While the car is in their possession they must take care to prevent damage or theft. So, Monday morning make a claim to their insurance and if they do not offer a reasonable settlement then you will have to sue them.

Should I call my insurance if my car was stolen?

If you have a tracking device on your vehicle, this could help you recover it, but after contacting the police, you'll want to call your car insurance company next.

What happens if your car is stolen and you still owe money on Reddit?

You'll still owe the remainder of the loan. With theft coverage? If you had GAP insurance, you'll get whatever is owed on the loan. If you didn't have GAP insurance, you'll get the actual cash value of the car, and you'll owe whatever the difference is between what is owed on the loan and the ACV.

Do I have to pay a deductible if my car is stolen?

You will get paid MINUS your deductible. So if you have a loan on that car, then you would likely owe that deductible amount to your lienholder. But if you own your car free and clear, then there's no one you'd owe that deductible to.

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.

Can you report a car stolen if the person is on the insurance?

ANSWER: The answer to your question is yes. If the vehicle is titled in a person's name, no matter whether they make the payments or not, they can report the vehicle as stolen. I hope this information helps you. Please let me know if you have any other questions or need further clarification.

Does insurance pay for a stolen car if the key is in it?

If you have comprehensive coverage on the vehicle, then you're generally covered if it's stolen — even if you left the keys in the car. If you're a victim of auto theft, contact your local police station to file a report, then get in touch with your insurance company.

Am I liable if my car is stolen?

On average, in California, nearly 200,000 vehicles are stolen each year. Generally, a real vehicle owner would not be liable when their vehicle is stolen and used in some other negligent or intentional act that harms people or property.

Does insurance go up if a 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.

Does car insurance cover stolen money?

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.

How long does it usually 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.

Does insurance investigate a stolen car?

Insurance companies investigate stolen property claims with scrutiny and skepticism. Insureds must jump through many hoops to prove they played no role in the theft or loss of their own property.

What can I do if someone sold me a stolen car?

What to do if the car you're buying is stolen. If you find out if the car you're buying is stolen, file a police report. Provide your bill of sale and any pertinent documents and information. Unfortunately, if the car you purchase was stolen or is a “cloned car,” it was never really yours.

How much money will 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.

How long after a car is stolen does insurance pay?

The time it takes for insurance to pay out on a stolen vehicle claim can vary widely based on several factors, including the insurance company's policies, the specifics of the claim, and the thoroughness of the investigation required. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months.

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.