What Is the Process When Your Car is Stolen – 5 Easy Steps To Follow 

Have you ever looked inside your pocket and realized your iPhone was missing? We have all felt that sense of panic and worry even over something so small as a stolen or misplaced mobile phone. Well, now imagine if your car is stolen. How scary would it be to deal with auto theft, especially if that was your only method of transportation? This is why you need to learn every crucial detail regarding the stolen vehicle investigation process, and what to do if you are ever a victim of car theft. In this article, we will discuss what to do if your car has been stolen in 5 easy steps. Don’t worry, we have you covered! 

Has your car been stolen? If so, you’re probably wondering how the investigation process works. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with this simple guide to car theft investigations.

Step 1: Report The Auto Theft

First, contact the police and provide your vehicle’s details. Did you know that theft investigators from police departments often rely on public records and information systems to locate stolen cars? Be sure to have your vehicle identification and license plate number handy when reporting the theft.

Step 2: Notify Your Car Insurance

Comprehensive car insurance is essential for cases like this. Does your car insurance cover theft? Reach out to your insurance agent or claims adjuster to start a claim. Car insurance companies investigate these cases thoroughly, so be prepared to provide all relevant information.

Step 3: Tracking Your Vehicle 

Did you know a vehicle tracking device can help recover your car? The police may use GPS tracking or other technologies to locate it. Additionally, they’ll enter your vehicle details into a national database, making it easier for other agencies to identify your stolen car.

Step 4: Auto Theft Investigation

How do police investigate car theft? They’ll gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review surveillance footage from parking lots or nearby areas. Public safety is their top priority, so they’ll work hard to find your car and bring the thief to justice.

Step 5: Resolution

Will your car be found? If so, the police will inform you and guide you through the process of reclaiming it. If your car is not found, your insurance cover should help with the financial loss. And as for the items inside your vehicle? Unfortunately, those most likey won’t be recovered. 

Now that you know the process, how can you prevent your car from being stolen? Consider investing in a tracking device, parking in well-lit areas, and making home improvements such as installing security cameras. For more information, check out our guide to car insurance and car theft prevention tips.

Remember, if your car has been stolen, act fast and report it to the police. Stay informed by following updates on social media, and ask your insurance company about rental car coverage while your claim is being processed. Don’t let bad credit or the fear of insurance claims stop you from protecting your investment. Stay vigilant and ensure your vehicle’s safety!

CLICK PHOTO FOR AMAZON PRICE! Step one in boosting automotive security is as simple as doing a little online research on car theft prevention tips from experts. These tips can give you a sense of security by educating you on the best theft prevention techniques. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, but even if you don’t follow the prevention tips you can also get cheap car insurance. Much like property insurance, vehicle insurance can help cover some of the expenses if you are ever a victim of theft. Vehicle insurance is essential if you want to protect your car, but being proactive and safeguarding your mobile assets is really where it all begins so let’s start by going over the 10 best ways to prevent car theft!

Related Content: GPS Tracker For Car Anti Theft

The Best 10 Ways To Prevent Car Theft

Now that you know what to do if your automobile is stolen, let’s now discuss what you can do to prevent car thefts from happening in the future. Why? So you hopefully never have to deal with a claims adjuster or a long auto theft investigation again!  

When dealing with vehicle thefts, success starts with vehicle theft prevention techniques! Luckily, professionals offer the following tips to help you avoid being a victim, and also help if your vehicle is stolen. Let’s dive in

1. The very first step in preventing car theft is to keep your doors locked. It’s a good idea to get into the practice of locking your car doors regularly. So, lock your doors whenever you park your automobile. Any modern insurance adjusters will recommend this as well.
2. Take your vehicle keys out of the car. Never leave your keys in the car! A burglar can break the glass and drive away if you leave the keys inside the vehicle.
3. Some people leave a spare key under the automobile. If they forget the keys inside the car, a spare key comes in handy. However, thieves know where to look for a spare key. They have a search procedure to look for spare keys. As a result, take all of your keys with you and don’t leave spare keys inside or outside of the car.
4. You must close all of your windows entirely. An open window allows a burglar to get access to your vehicle. They can obtain access to your car and everything inside by unlocking the door.
5. Safety experts don’t recommend parking in dimly lit places. Law enforcement recommends parking beneath a light and in a heavily frequented location. Thieves may be discouraged if they are aware that they are clearly visible.
6. An audible alarm system is ideal for stopping vehicle thefts. These blaring alarms alert everyone in the vicinity with a loud noise. Therefore, these loud alarms deter vehicle thefts.
7. Hotwiring your automobile allows thieves to bypass your starter. A car immobilizer system can prevent this. Smart keys, kill switches, and remote ignition verification is all part of immobilizer systems. This helps to avoid vehicle thefts. You can also use ignition locking for this.
8. Installing a vehicle tracking system is a great way to quickly recover an automobile if it is ever stolen. The anti-theft device will send a text message or email alert to you or the police using GPS technology. As a result, you’ll always know where your stolen vehicle is in real-time It will also help the authorities to track down your car. So, a GPS tracking system is the best option for protecting your mobile assets.
9. Leave no personal items in the vehicle. Thieves won’t feel compelled to break into your car this way. Thieves often break into cars to steal valuables. So, keep your personal items with you and not in the car.
10. Keep an eye on the parking area. If you see random people lurking around, park elsewhere. This is a useful sign that the area isn’t safe. So, park in a safe and well-lit area.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How Long Does It Take for A Stolen Car to Be in The System?

The faster your stolen vehicle is put into the police database the more quickly law enforcement can be looking for the vehicle. Therefore, call the cops as soon as you’ve established that your car has been stolen! You must report the vehicle crime at the earliest for the claims process. The cops use id cards to add cars to the list. The police record and official complaint will come in handy later. Furthermore, it will allow law enforcement officials to keep a lookout for the stolen car. They will request you provide details such as where you last spotted the car and any other information that can help them identify the automobile.

Once you report your vehicle has been stolen, it will take up to two days for the vehicle to be in the system. The reported entry and transfer process from the police departments can easily take up to 48 hours in any region. So, it may take two days for your vehicle license plate to be on the stolen vehicle list after your car was stolen. The process may take longer due to unusual delays at the investigation unit.

How Long Does It Take for A Stolen Car to Be Found?

Did you know that 700,000 cars or more go missing annually in the United States? According to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, 1 in 5 stolen cars goes back to the owner. So, the ratio of recovered vehicles is roughly 20% of the total stolen vehicle list. Similarly, it may take up to 11 to 15 days to recover a stolen car. So, you will have to wait up to two weeks until your vehicle is recovered, assuming police are successful at recovering the automobile.

Additionally, around 30% of the recovered cars come back damaged according to any financing or leasing company. This damage is nearly $1,459 on average. This is yet another thing you need to know when dealing with vehicle thefts. In the Midwest, the ratio of car recovery is about 24%. However, in the Northeast, the percentage goes down to 19%. Overall, the national average is approximately 20% for stolen vehicle recovery. 

If you are a teenager, you can get insurance for teens to protect your car as well. If your vehicle was stolen, this type of comprehensive coverage will be useful in reducing some of the expenses associated with theft. It is also useful for vehicles identification. You can get a car insurance quote instantly from most agencies in your local area and they can also provide more information that will help you regarding car stolen situations.

Car insurance companies offer useful stolen car insurance. However, look at the minimum car insurance requirements before investing in it.

What Happens When Your Car is Stolen then Found?

If your stolen car is recovered, the recovering officers from the department of motor vehicles will inform you right away. You can contact your insurance company to inform them of the development. If your vehicle is damaged, a comprehensive from your insurance agency will cover the cost of repairs. You’d be responsible for the deductible amount with your auto insurance claim. This way, you will not have to face the total loss alone. The majority of insurance providers offer comprehensive auto insurance with a 30-day waiting period. They then proclaim the stolen vehicle to be permanently lost. Your auto insurance company will then give you the “fair market value” of your car. This is how much a car like yours would sell for on the marketplace.