Car Stolen? What to Do First, and How Insurance Pays

If your car is stolen, call the police first and file a theft report with the VIN and plate number, then call your insurer and, if you have a loan or lease, your lender. Comprehensive coverage pays for a stolen car, usually its actual cash value minus your deductible if it is not recovered; liability-only policies do not cover theft.

Thefts are falling but still common. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) counted 659,880 vehicles reported stolen in 2025, down 23% from 2024, according to its March 2026 report.

What should I do first when my car is stolen?

Make sure the car was stolen and not towed or repossessed, then report it to the police right away. A fast report gets the plate and VIN into law enforcement databases while the car may still be nearby.

1. Check for a tow or repossession. Look for signs about towing where you parked and call the local police non-emergency line or tow lot. If you are behind on payments, call your lender, since a repossession can look like a theft.
2. Call the police. Give the year, make, model, color, plate, VIN and any distinctive features. Ask for the report number and the officer’s name. The VIN is on your insurance card, registration and title.
3. Use the car’s tracking. If the car has a connected app, GPS service or an AirTag-style tracker, give the location to police. Do not try to recover the car yourself.
4. Call your insurer. Report the theft the same day with the police report number.
5. Call your lender or leasing company. They own an interest in the car and must be told.
6. Protect your accounts. If a garage remote, house keys, toll transponder, wallet or documents were inside, change codes, cancel cards and watch for identity theft.

Who else should I notify?

Several smaller notices prevent bills and tickets in your name for a car you no longer have.

• Toll agency: report the transponder and plate so tolls charged to your account after the theft can be disputed.
• DMV: some states want the theft reported or the plates canceled; follow your state DMV’s instructions so later parking or camera tickets are not pinned on you.
• Connected services and apps: tell the automaker’s connected service; some can locate the car for police.
• Parking and payment apps: remove the car or the plate from apps that charge automatically.

How does insurance pay for a stolen car?

Comprehensive coverage pays if the car is not recovered or comes back damaged. The insurer pays the actual cash value (the market value just before the theft, considering age, mileage and condition) minus your comprehensive deductible.

Insurers do not pay a theft total loss right away, because many cars are found. State rules set how long an insurer can take to decide once it has your proof of claim. In California, for example, the insurer must accept or deny within 40 days after receiving proof of claim, and a police report counts as part of that proof. Texas gives insurers 15 business days after they receive what they need to say whether they will pay.

If the payout is lower than your loan balance, you owe the difference unless you have GAP coverage. Our guides to how a total-loss payout is calculated and GAP insurance cover both sides of that math. If you dispute the value, your state insurance department handles complaints.

Does insurance pay for a rental car after a theft?

Only if your policy includes it. Many policies with comprehensive coverage include some transportation help after a theft, and the California Department of Insurance describes it as usually starting 48 hours after the theft and ending when the car is recovered, the loss is paid or a set limit runs out. Rental reimbursement coverage, if you bought it, may pay more per day.

Personal items stolen from the car are usually covered under homeowners or renters insurance, not the auto policy. Aftermarket equipment such as custom wheels or audio may need special coverage to be paid in full.

What happens if the stolen car is recovered?

If the car is found before the insurer pays, it goes back to you and comprehensive pays for the damage, minus the deductible. Police may hold it briefly for evidence, and towing and storage fees can build up quickly, so tell your insurer as soon as police call.

If the car is found after the insurer has paid the claim, the insurer generally owns it, since you signed over the title when you were paid. Some policies let you buy the car back by returning the payment. A recovered theft vehicle may get a branded title in some states after an insurance total loss, which shows up in a free vehicle history check.

Which cars are stolen most often?

The Hyundai Elantra was the most stolen vehicle in 2025, followed by the Honda Accord, according to NICB. The full top 10, as reported from the NICB data:

Hyundai and Kia models made up 14% of 2025 thefts, down from 21% in 2023, after the automakers’ anti-theft software upgrade. Owners of older models without immobilizers can check eligibility in our guide to the Hyundai and Kia theft software update. California had the most thefts of any state, more than 20% of the national total.

Bottom line

Report a theft to police and your insurer the same day, with the VIN and report number, and tell your lender and toll agency. Comprehensive coverage is what pays, so check now whether your policy has it and whether it includes a rental, before you need either.

FAQ

Do I keep paying my car loan if the car is stolen?

Yes. The loan is still due until the insurance payout reaches the lender, and missed payments hurt your credit. Keep paying and ask the lender to note the theft on the account.

How long before insurance declares a stolen car a total loss?

It depends on the insurer and state rules, and many wait a period to see if police find the car. Ask your adjuster for the timeline in writing, and contact your state insurance department if the decision drags past state deadlines.

Will my rates go up after a theft claim?

A comprehensive claim for theft is usually treated as not-at-fault, but insurers can still consider it when pricing your policy. Rules on surcharges vary by state.

Can I get my car back after the insurer pays?

Sometimes. Some insurers let you buy the recovered car back for the amount they paid you, minus its salvage value or another agreed figure. Ask before signing the title over.