First, check it has really been stolen
Before you report a theft, rule out the more common explanations. Think about whether you parked somewhere else, such as on another level of a parking structure or on a nearby street. Check for signs showing a towing or restricted parking zone. Many cities log towed cars, and a call to the local authority or the nearest tow yards can confirm if yours was moved. A lender repossession is another possibility if you have missed loan payments, so consider whether that could apply. If there is any chance a family member borrowed it, ask them.
If it is truly gone, act quickly but calmly.
Report it to the police
Call the police, on the non-emergency line if it is available and no one is in danger, or emergency number if you see the theft happening or feel unsafe. Do not try to confront thieves or chase the car.
Have this information ready:
- License plate number.
- Vehicle identification number (VIN), usually found on the registration, title or insurance documents.
- Make, model, color, year and any distinguishing features such as dents, stickers or accessories.
- Where and when you last saw it.
- Anything valuable inside.
- Whether it had a tracking device or a connected-car service.
Ask for a report or reference number and the officer’s name. Your insurer will probably want that. Reporting rules and the process differ by place, so follow the local instructions.
If the keys were stolen with the car or if a spare key is missing, tell the police.
Contact your insurer
Notify your insurer as soon as you can. Theft cover is not included in every policy, since it often depends on having comprehensive cover. Check your car insurance documents. The insurer may ask for:
- The police report number.
- Proof of ownership, such as the car title and registration.
- All keys, including spares, so it can verify that none are missing.
- Details of any loan or lease.
- The vehicle’s history, service records and any modifications.
Many policies include a waiting period before they settle a theft claim, so the car has time to be found. Ask what the timeline is and whether rental car cover applies. The general stages are similar to those in how a claim is handled. If the car is not recovered, a settlement typically reflects its value just before the theft, less your insurance deductible. If you have a loan, the payout may go to the lender first. Gap cover, if you bought it, may help cover a shortfall, which is one reason to understand negative equity before a loss.
Tell your lender, lessor and others
If you finance or lease the car, notify the lender or lessor, as they have an interest in it, and ask about your payment obligations during the claim. Payments often must continue until the matter is settled, so confirm this in writing.
Also consider:
- Toll accounts, parking permits and connected-car apps. Report the loss or suspend them so you are not charged for activity you did not make.
- Locks and personal items. If your house keys, garage opener or documents with your address were in the car, consider changing locks or access codes.
- Your bank or card company, if payment cards were in the car.
If a tracker or app is installed
A tracking device or connected-car service may show where the car is. Tell the police rather than going to find it yourself. Recovery by an owner can be dangerous, and police generally want to handle it.
If the car is recovered
The police will contact you. Before collecting it, ask whether it has been examined for evidence and whether it needs to be processed. Check it for damage and missing items, and tell your insurer before authorizing repairs. If it was found abandoned, towed or impounded, ask about fees. Damage may include broken ignition parts, locks or electronics. Note, photograph and report everything. Consider whether the keys or key fobs should be replaced or reprogrammed, because thieves may have copied or cloned signals. Recovered cars sometimes need a professional inspection, and you may eventually weigh whether it is worth repairing an old car or replacing it.
Reducing the risk
No habit guarantees safety from theft, but some things may make your car a less attractive target.
- Lock the doors and close the windows every time, even for a short stop.
- Never leave the engine running unattended, including while warming it up in cold weather. Even a brief absence is a common opportunity.
- Take the key fob with you, and store spare keys out of sight at home. Some people keep fobs in signal-blocking pouches to reduce the risk of relay attacks on keyless entry systems.
- Park in well-lit, busy places or in a garage, where possible.
- Do not leave valuables in view. Items left in plain sight can invite a break-in, and the damage costs can be high. Also, do not keep the title or registration in the car if it can be avoided; carry what the law requires.
- Use visible deterrents, such as a steering wheel lock or a blinking alarm light, which some thieves prefer to avoid.
- Consider a tracker or a connected-car service, understanding that it may involve ongoing costs and privacy tradeoffs.
- Keep records: a photo of the car, the VIN, plate number and any identifying marks in a safe place, such as an email to yourself.
- Keep software up to date on a car that has remote features, if the maker issues updates.
A dash cam may record activity near a parked car if it supports parking mode, though it depends on the device and its power setup.
Looking after yourself
Having a car stolen is stressful and can leave you without transport. Ask your insurer about rental cover, use alternatives like public transit or car rental while waiting, and keep a log of costs and calls. Be wary of anyone who contacts you claiming to have found the car and asking for payment; confirm through the police.
Rules, insurance wording and procedures vary by country and state, so rely on the local police and your insurer for specifics.