You parked your car overnight — or maybe just for a short errand — and you returned to find it…gone. Discovering that your car has been stolen is a distressing experience. And unfortunately, an increasingly common one. Over one million vehicles were stolen in a single year in 2022 according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau[1].
If this has just happened to you, it can be overwhelming and you may not know what to do next. But you’ve come to the right place.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do if your car is stolen, including who to call, how to file a police report, steps to take with your insurance company and tips to prevent your car from being stolen in the future.
1. Call the police immediately
The moment you realize your car has been stolen, contact the police. Here’s some information you’ll need handy:
- Your car’s make, model and color
- License plate and VIN
- Time and location the vehicle was last seen
- Any distinctive features
- Safety features like GPS tracking or dashcams
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[2].
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.
3. Notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Next on your list of calls: the DMV. 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.
After all, if the thief runs red lights, gets parking tickets or commits other crimes in your vehicle, you don’t want to be responsible for those.
4. Contact your home or renters insurance companies
Did you know that home insurance or renters insurance policies often cover items in your vehicle? If you had anything of value in your car when it was stolen: say a laptop, cell phone or jewelry, your car insurance won’t reimburse you for those. Instead, you will need to file a second claim with your home or renters insurance policy to potentially cover your stolen belongings.
5. Reach out to your bank
If the car was financed or leased, you will need to contact the lender to let them know of the theft.
If your car keys were stolen along with your vehicle, monitor your financial accounts closely for any suspicious activity. Thieves may attempt to use any personal information or documents they find in your car to commit fraud.
6. Keep an eye out
Keep an eye out for your stolen vehicle in your local area. Check nearby streets, parking lots and impound lots. Sometimes, thieves abandon stolen cars after using them for a short period. You may also want to post in local or neighborhood online groups in case anyone has seen your vehicle.
Wrapping up
Experiencing a car theft can be a stressful and unsettling experience. However, by taking immediate action and following the steps outlined above, you can increase the likelihood of recovering your stolen vehicle and minimize the impact of the theft.