If your car is stolen, first confirm it wasn’t towed, then call police to file a theft report, and contact your insurer with your report number and vehicle details. The faster you report it, the faster your claim timeline can start. Use the checklist below to make sure you don’t miss anything.
Over 1 million vehicles were stolen in the U.S. in 2023, and Chicago alone saw more than 26,000 thefts in a recent 12-month period. Prompt action helps: police recover more than 85% of stolen vehicles, and about one-third are found the same day. For guidance on insurance after a theft, call Insure on the Spot at 773-202-5060.
Step-by-Step Checklist: What To Do If Your Car Is Stolen (TL;DR)
When you discover your car is missing, follow these steps immediately to maximize your chances of recovery and ensure your insurance claim goes smoothly:
- Step 1: Verify it’s actually stolen. Before panicking, confirm your car wasn’t towed for a parking violation or that you didn’t park it somewhere and forget. Call local impound lots (311 in Chicago) and double-check your parking location.
- Step 2: Call the police immediately. Contact your local police department’s non-emergency line to file a theft report. Provide your VIN, license plate, make, model, color, and any distinctive features. Get the police report number—you’ll need it for insurance.
- Step 3: Notify your insurance company. Call your auto insurer within 24 hours to report the theft. Provide the police report number and vehicle details. Only comprehensive coverage pays for theft—liability alone won’t cover it.
- Step 4: Contact your state DMV. Report the theft to the DMV (Illinois Secretary of State) to flag your vehicle’s registration as stolen. This helps prevent fraudulent title transfers and aids in recovery efforts.
- Step 5: Inform your lender or leasing company. If your car is financed or leased, notify the bank or leasing company immediately. They have a financial stake in the vehicle and will coordinate with your insurance during the claims process.
- Step 6: Document everything. Keep copies of all police reports, insurance communications, and DMV notifications. Take notes on when you made each call and who you spoke with.
Following this checklist ensures you meet all legal and insurance requirements while giving your car the best chance of being recovered quickly.
Worried about theft in Chicago? Get a fast quote and compare comprehensive coverage options. Call 773-202-5060 or get your free quote online to protect yourself against vehicle theft.
What Should You Do First When Your Car Is Stolen?
Stay calm and report the theft immediately. Begin by confirming the car is actually stolen. Sometimes a car isn’t where you expect because it was towed or parked in a different spot – it’s worth calling local impound lots or double-checking your parking location before panicking. If you rule out towing or a parking mistake, contact the police right away.
In most places, you should call the non-emergency police line (for example, 311 in Chicago) if the vehicle is missing and the thief is long gone, or 911 if you believe the theft is in progress or you have immediate information on the culprit. When speaking with police, provide all the details you can: the VIN, license plate number, make, model, color, and any distinctive features of the car, as well as the location and time it was last seen. This information goes into the stolen vehicle report and helps officers begin the search. Make sure to get a copy of the police report or the report number, as you’ll need this for your insurance claim.
Reporting a stolen car promptly is crucial. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) emphasizes that notifying law enforcement as soon as possible increases the chances of recovery. Police data show that about 34% of stolen cars are recovered on the same day when reported quickly. By filing a report, you also protect yourself in case the thief uses your car in a crime – you’ll have an official record showing you no longer had control of the vehicle.
How Do You File an Insurance Claim for a Stolen Car?
After contacting the police, your next call should be to your auto insurance company to report that your vehicle was stolen. Most insurers advise filing a theft claim within 24 hours of the incident (or as soon as practical once you have a police report). Provide your insurer with the police report number and the same vehicle details you gave law enforcement. Timely notification is important – your policy likely requires prompt reporting of theft, and it allows the insurer to begin their investigation and assist in the recovery process.
When you file the claim, ask your insurer what information they need. Commonly, they’ll require a copy of the police report, details about your car (VIN, mileage, any financing or leasing info), the location of all keys, and a list of personal items that were in the car. Cooperate fully and provide any documents promptly to avoid delays.
Be prepared for the claims process to take some time. Having comprehensive coverage doesn’t mean an immediate payout, because insurers must investigate and rule out fraud. Additionally, most insurers enforce a waiting period of anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks to see if the stolen vehicle is recovered before they settle the claim. During this period, the insurance company stays in contact with police for updates.
If your car remains missing after the waiting period and all investigations are complete, the insurer will declare it a total loss. At that point, if you have comprehensive coverage, they will pay you the actual cash value (ACV) of the car (its market value at the time of theft) minus your deductible. Understanding how auto insurance rates are affected by auto theft can help you make informed decisions about your coverage after a theft incident.
Does Car Insurance Cover a Stolen Car?
Yes – but only if you have the right coverage. A stolen vehicle is covered under the comprehensive coverage portion of an auto insurance policy. Comprehensive insurance (sometimes part of “full coverage”) covers theft of the vehicle, as well as non-crash incidents like vandalism, fires, or natural disasters. Basic liability insurance, on the other hand, does not cover a stolen car. Liability coverage only pays for damage or injury you cause to others in an accident, not for crimes like theft.
If you carry comprehensive coverage, your insurance will pay you the value of the car (minus deductible) if the car isn’t recovered, or pay for repairs if it is recovered with damage. If you only have liability coverage, the insurance company will not reimburse you for your vehicle’s loss due to theft. Unfortunately, that means you’d have to absorb the financial loss yourself.
Do You Need to Contact the DMV After a Car Theft?
In many states, the police will automatically enter the vehicle’s details into a stolen car database that the DMV can access. However, contacting the DMV yourself ensures the vehicle’s registration is flagged as stolen. The DMV maintains a database of stolen cars and works with police to reunite recovered vehicles with the rightful owners.
By reporting the theft to the DMV, you create an official record in their system. This can help prevent someone from fraudulently registering or selling your car if a thief attempts to do so. When you call or visit the DMV, be ready to provide the police report number, your car’s VIN, and your title or registration information.
Should You Inform Your Lender or Leasing Company If Your Car Was Stolen?
If your car is financed or leased, the bank or leasing company technically owns or has a financial stake in the vehicle until you pay it off. So, they need to know if the asset is missing. Lenders will coordinate with your insurance company during the claims process. In fact, when a stolen vehicle is declared a total loss, the insurance payout is often made out to both you and the lender.
Call the lender’s customer service and explain that your car has been stolen. Provide them the police report number and your insurance claim information. Continue making your car payments in the meantime unless the lender instructs otherwise – you are still responsible for the loan until the situation is resolved.
Are Items Stolen from Your Car Covered by Insurance?
Auto insurance (comprehensive coverage) will cover the vehicle itself and physical parts that are permanently attached to the car. But if a thief also took your laptop, phone, bag, or other personal belongings from inside the car, those are not covered under the auto policy. Comprehensive coverage might pay for the broken window or damaged door lock from the break-in, but not for the value of your stolen belongings.
However, you might have coverage for those items through a homeowners or renters insurance policy. Personal property coverage on those policies typically protects your belongings even when they’re outside of your home. For example, if you have renters insurance, you can file a claim for a laptop stolen from your car.
What Happens If Your Stolen Car Is Recovered?
If your stolen car is recovered, you should still contact the police and your insurance company immediately. Often, the police will notify you first if they locate the vehicle. Arrange to retrieve the car or have it towed if it’s not drivable. Do not assume you can just start using the car again without clearance – the police may need to release it after any forensic examination.
Once you regain possession, thoroughly inspect the car. Check for any damage to the ignition, windows, body, or tires. Note any missing parts – catalytic converters are commonly stolen components. Learning how to prevent catalytic converter theft in Chicago can help you protect your vehicle from this specific type of theft in the future.
After assessing the condition, inform your insurer of the recovery. The insurance handling will depend on timing: If the car was found before your claim was settled, the insurer will evaluate the damage. They will either pay for the necessary repairs to restore the car, or if the damage is extensive, declare it a total loss.
How Can You Prevent Car Theft in the Future?
While no method is foolproof, there are many precautions you can take to reduce the risk of your car being stolen. Learning about effective anti-theft devices can significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim and may even lower your insurance premiums.
Always lock your car and take the keys: This may sound obvious, but a significant number of thefts occur from unlocked cars or when keys/key fobs are left inside. Never leave your vehicle running unattended, even for a quick errand.
Park in well-lit, secure areas: Thieves prefer to work in darkness and without onlookers. At night or in high-theft areas, park under streetlights or in attended parking lots or garages. At home, if you have a garage, use it.
Hide valuables and personal information: Never leave items like laptops, purses, or shopping bags visible in your car. These attract break-ins, which can sometimes lead to vehicle theft.
Use anti-theft devices: Consider investing in devices such as a steering wheel lock, a car alarm system, a kill switch, or a GPS tracking unit. Visible devices signal to thieves that your car is harder to steal. Many insurers offer discounts for having approved anti-theft devices installed.
Be mindful with keys and fobs: Treat your car keys like cash – don’t leave them lying around in public places or easily accessible at home. Thieves sometimes target valet stands, gym lockers, or even your kitchen counter during a burglary to grab keys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call first if my car is stolen?
Call the police first using the non-emergency line (311 in Chicago) to file a theft report, then immediately contact your auto insurance company to start the claims process. Make sure to get your police report number before calling your insurer.
Does car insurance cover a stolen car?
Yes, but only if you have comprehensive coverage on your policy. Basic liability insurance does not cover vehicle theft—you need comprehensive coverage to be reimbursed for a stolen vehicle.
What happens if my stolen car is found?
If your car is recovered before the insurance claim is settled, your insurer will evaluate the damage and either pay for repairs or declare it a total loss if extensively damaged. If recovered after claim settlement, the insurer typically owns the vehicle, though you may have the option to buy it back.
How long does an insurance theft claim take?
Most insurers wait 2-8 weeks to see if the vehicle is recovered before settling a theft claim. The total process can take anywhere from a few weeks to over a month, depending on the investigation and whether your car is found.
What if my car was towed, not stolen?
Before filing a theft report, always check with local impound lots by calling 311 (in Chicago) or your city’s equivalent to confirm your car wasn’t towed for parking violations. Many “stolen” cars turn out to be legally towed vehicles.
What are the chances of recovering a stolen car?
According to NICB data, over 85% of stolen vehicles are eventually recovered. About 34% are found on the same day of the theft, and around 45% within two days, with quick reporting significantly improving recovery odds.
What if my stolen car is found after the insurance paid out?
If your car is recovered after you’ve received a theft claim payout, the insurance company becomes the owner of the vehicle. You may have the option to negotiate keeping the recovered car by returning the claim money, but it will likely have a salvage title.
Are items stolen from my car covered by car insurance?
No, personal items stolen from inside your vehicle are not covered by auto insurance. However, they may be covered under your homeowners or renters insurance policy’s personal property coverage, subject to your deductible.
What if my car is stolen and I don’t have insurance?
Without comprehensive coverage, you will not receive any compensation for the stolen vehicle and must absorb the financial loss personally. If the car is financed, you remain responsible for the loan payments even though the car is gone.
Protect Your Vehicle with Comprehensive Coverage
At Insure on the Spot, we help Chicago drivers find affordable comprehensive coverage that protects against theft, vandalism, and other non-collision incidents. Don’t wait until it’s too late—make sure you have the right coverage in place. Call 773-202-5060 or get your free quote online today. We’ve been serving Chicago-area drivers since 1986.