What to Do Immediately After Your Car Is Stolen

Report the theft to police within 24 hours

Call the non-emergency police line in the city or county where your vehicle was stolen, not 911 unless you witnessed the theft happening. You need a police report number to file an insurance claim, and most insurers will not process a claim without one. When you call, have your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and a description of the car ready.

The police will take a report and give you a case number. Ask for a copy of the report or confirmation of the case number before you hang up. Some departments mail it; others let you download it from their website using the case number. You will need this document for your insurance company and for any later steps.

If your car is recovered, the police will contact you. Recovery does not automatically close your case, so follow up with the police department if you do not hear back within a week.

Key Takeaways

• Report the theft to police and get a case number before contacting your insurance company.
• Call your insurer within one to two days and provide the police report number, VIN, and license plate.
• If your keys were in the car or your registration was visible, tell your insurance company immediately, as this affects your claim.
• Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to report the theft and request a title search to prevent the thief from selling the car.
• If your car is found, the police will notify you, but you should still follow up if you do not hear anything within a week.

Contact your insurance company and file a claim

Call your auto insurance company as soon as you have the police report number. Most insurers have a claims line that operates 24 hours. Tell them your policy number, the date and location of the theft, and your case number from the police report. They will ask whether your keys were in the vehicle, whether you left the car running, and whether your registration or proof of insurance was visible inside.

Your insurer will explain what your policy covers. If you have comprehensive coverage, theft is usually covered after you pay your deductible. If you have only liability coverage, theft is not covered. The insurance company will tell you whether they need the police report mailed to them or if you can submit it online.

Do not assume your claim will be denied if you left keys in the car or the doors unlocked. Many policies still cover theft in these situations, though some may charge a higher deductible or deny the claim. Your policy documents spell out the exact terms.

Report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles

Contact your state's DMV (in South Carolina, this is the Department of Motor Vehicles) and report the vehicle as stolen. You will need your VIN, license plate number, and the police report number. Some states let you report online; others require a phone call or a form mailed to the DMV office.

Reporting to the DMV creates a record that prevents the thief from transferring the title into their name or selling the car legally. It also protects you if the stolen vehicle is used in a crime — the registration will show it was reported stolen at the time the crime occurred.

Ask the DMV whether you need to surrender your physical title or registration documents. In most cases, you do not, but some states require it. The DMV will also tell you how long the theft record stays on file.

Cancel or replace your registration and license plates

Once you have reported the theft to the DMV, ask whether you should cancel your current registration and plates or wait until the car is recovered or declared a total loss. Some states recommend canceling immediately to prevent the thief from using your plates on another vehicle. Others say to leave the registration active in case the car is recovered.

If you decide to cancel, the DMV will issue new plates and registration for your next vehicle. If you keep the registration active and the car is later recovered, you can simply reactivate it. The DMV can walk you through which option makes sense for your situation.

If your registration or proof of insurance was inside the stolen car, monitor your credit and watch for fraudulent use of your personal information. Thieves sometimes use documents left in vehicles to commit identity theft.

What happens if your car is recovered

If police find your vehicle, they will contact you and tell you where it is being held. You will need to arrange to have it towed or driven to a repair shop to assess the damage. Your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect the vehicle and determine whether it can be repaired or should be declared a total loss.

If the car is repairable, your insurer will cover the cost of repairs after you pay your deductible. If it is declared a total loss, your insurer will pay you the actual cash value of the vehicle minus your deductible. The insurance company will then take ownership of the car.

Once your claim is settled, contact the DMV again to update your records. If the car was repaired and you are keeping it, you will need to provide proof of repair and get new registration. If it was totaled, the DMV will close out the theft report.

Protect yourself from identity theft and fraud

If your registration, proof of insurance, or other personal documents were in the stolen vehicle, place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.

You can place a fraud alert by calling one bureau; they will notify the other two. The initial alert lasts one year and is free. If you want longer protection, you can request an extended alert that lasts seven years, though this requires additional steps.

Check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com (the only free, official source) to look for accounts or inquiries you do not recognize. If you find fraudulent activity, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportidentitytheft.ftc.gov and to the creditor that opened the fraudulent account.

What to do if the thief uses your car in a crime

If your stolen vehicle is used in a crime, police will contact you. Bring your police report showing the car was stolen at the time the crime occurred. This documentation protects you from liability for the crime and from traffic tickets or parking violations issued while the car was stolen.

If you receive a ticket or notice related to your stolen vehicle, do not ignore it. Contact the court or the issuing agency and provide your police report number and the theft report. Most jurisdictions will dismiss tickets issued to stolen vehicles once they see proof of the theft.

If you are contacted by a debt collector or creditor about charges related to the stolen car, provide them with your police report and the case number. Do not pay any charges related to crimes committed with the stolen vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get paid if my car is totaled?

Most insurance companies pay within two to four weeks of declaring the vehicle a total loss, though this varies by insurer and whether there are disputes about the car's value. Your insurer will give you a timeline when they settle your claim. If you disagree with the payout amount, you can request an independent appraisal.

Do I have to pay my car loan if the car is stolen?

If you have a loan on the vehicle, your lender has a claim on the insurance payout. The insurance company will pay the loan balance first, then send you any remaining money. Contact your lender to let them know the car was stolen so they do not send you payment notices.

What if police find my car but it is damaged beyond repair?

Your insurance company will declare it a total loss and pay you the actual cash value minus your deductible. The insurer takes ownership of the vehicle, and you will no longer be responsible for it. The DMV will close out the theft report once the claim is settled.

Can I get a rental car while my claim is being processed?

Some insurance policies include rental car coverage, which pays for a temporary vehicle while your claim is being handled. Check your policy documents or call your insurer to see whether you have this coverage and what the daily limit is. If you do not have rental coverage, you will need to arrange your own transportation.

What if my car is never found?

If the car is not recovered within a set time (usually 30 days, but this varies by insurer), your insurance company will declare it a total loss and pay your claim. You will receive the actual cash value of the vehicle minus your deductible. The DMV will keep the theft report on file indefinitely in case the car surfaces later.