How to report a stolen car in the USA?

Going through the experience of your car being stolen can be very annoying, but here you will learn how to report it to the police. Let's see how verify and report the theft of your car.

Keep in mind that if you do not follow the steps we have outlined for you, within a reasonable amount of time, not only will you not have your car, but you could be charged with crimes committed with your vehicle even if it is stolen.

📰 Contents
  1. How to check if your car has been stolen?
    1. 1. Check if your car has been stolen before you go to report the theft
    2. 2. Use a GPS device to locate your stolen car
    3. 3. Use security camera systems to find your stolen car
    4. 4. Call all taxi companies when your car is stolen
  2. How to find your stolen car with VIN (vehicle identification number)?
  3. Steps to report your stolen car
  4. Does insurance cover a stolen car?

How to check if your car has been stolen?

Before report your car stolen, you have to be sure it was stolen. Here we summarize the best ways to help you check if your vehicle has been stolen.

Realizing that your car has been stolen is a terrible thing, here are some immediate steps you can take to find your stolen car.

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1. Check if your car has been stolen before you go to report the theft

To find out if your car has been stolen, you need to carefully check the parking lot. Public parking lots are one of the best places to start looking for a stolen vehicle. Maybe you just forgot exactly where your car was..

You can download a "Find Stolen Car" app on your iPhone or Android smartphone to find your car if you don't remember where you parked it.

You should also check with the towing companies before reporting your car stolen. and track your car by VIN number. The VIN check contains all historical reports, including incidents and service records. You can check if a car has been stolen from the license plate and VIN.

2. Use a GPS device to locate your stolen car

If you have a GPS tracking system installed on your vehicle, the tracking company can help you pinpoint the exact location of your stolen car and even turn it off.

No matter where your car was stolen, you can quickly track your stolen vehicle with GPS.

3. Use security camera systems to find your stolen car

When your car is stolen, you should check the security camera footage immediately. Video recordings of security cameras are one of the best ways to find your stolen car.

By examining the video recordings, you will be able to see clear images of the car thief and his escape route. With these tests, the likelihood of finding your stolen car will increase dramatically.

4. Call all taxi companies when your car is stolen

Taxi drivers can help you track down your stolen cars, trucks and vehicles. Whatever the situation, calling all taxi companies in the area where your stolen car was left running or parked is a good option to find it.

There are more taxi drivers than the police, increasing the chances of finding the lost car. What's more, you have to give a sufficient reward, such as $ 100, to the taxi driver who finds your stolen car.

The reward is an incentive to encourage more people to join your stolen vehicle search team, increasing your chances of recovering your stolen car.

How to know if a car is stolen in the United States

How to find your stolen car with VIN (vehicle identification number)?

When your car is stolen, you have the option of locating it with the VIN number.

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles, towed vehicles, motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, etc. You can track a stolen car online with the vehicle identification number.

Furthermore, VIN not only helps you check if your car has been stolen, but also plays an important role in its location and search. The steps you need to follow are as follows:

  1. go to Automatic control and purchase a vehicle history report. The cost of the report is between $ 30 and $ 40.
  2. Enter your vehicle identification number and credit card details in the vehicle history report search screen. You will see a chronological history of where your car was registered, titled and serviced. Last Known Record or Service should be the most recent location of your stolen vehicle. Therefore, you can narrow the search range when your car is stolen and recover it quickly.
  3. contact the policethey will help you track down your stolen vehicle with the information you provide.

Steps to report your stolen car

In case you have verified that your car has been stolen, you should call the police immediately.

When filing a police report, make sure you can provide enough information about your missing car. The more details you provide, the better chance the police can help you recover the lost car.

If your stolen car is recovered and subsequently seized by the police (they can impound your stolen car by checking for traffic violations), you should bring your identity card, driver's license and other documents proving that the car belongs to you. This way, you can quickly retrieve your car.

In case you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where your car has been stolen, these are the important steps you need to follow to report it:

1. Contact the police immediately to report a stolen vehicle. The police will provide you with a printed copy of the report or a case number which you will need to present to your insurance company. You must be prepared to provide the following information:

  • License number.
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
  • Year, make, model and color.
  • Identification marks, such as scratches or dents.
  • Custom add-ons or wheel covers.
  • A list of the items inside the vehicle.
  • A description of the suspects you saw.

2. Contact your insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours of discovering that your vehicle was stolen. Provide them with a printout of the police report or case number. If your car is stolen while you have full insurance, you can get car theft insurance paid from the insurance company. If you recover the stolen car after receiving your insurance claim, call your insurance company. Please note that the recovered car now belongs to the insurance company. If you wish, you can buy the car recovered from the company's staff.

3. Contact the police and your insurance company immediately if you find your vehicle.

What happens if my car is declared a total loss?

Does insurance cover a stolen car?

Only if you have comprehensive insurance for your car can you get compensation from the insurance company. To do this, you need to purchase collision coverage and full coverage so that you can get compensation if your car is stolen, vandalized or damaged.

To find out how long it takes the insurance company to pay you for your stolen car, you must first file a "stolen car" claim right away. The insurance company will investigate the case before paying your loss.

Auto insurance companies generally have a 30 day waiting periodbefore paying a claim for a stolen car, as it gives them time to see if the car will be recovered.

If your car is recovered but comes back damaged, the insurance company will determine if the car can be repaired or if it is a total loss.. If your vehicle is considered a total loss, you will get the actual cash value of your car from the company.

In the event that the stolen car reappears after the insurance has been paid, the insurance company will retain ownership of the vehicle. The vehicle will be sold for the rescue or at auction.

Likewise, you can buy back your stolen car if the laws and guidelines of the insurance companies allow it.

Moreover, if your financed car is stolen, you will have to continue paying premiums while making claims against the insurance company. And in the event that your stolen car cannot be recovered, you will have to pay the remaining amount with the insurance payment. Keep in mind that it would be a bad idea to withhold payments, as it would damage your credibility and make it more difficult to get a better car loan in the future.

If you want to discover other articles similar to How to report a stolen car in the USA?, you can visit the Last News category.

Nathan Hamilton

Nathan Hamilton

Nathan is a car enthusiast and industry professional with decades of combined experience in the automotive sector. Along with his team of writers and researchers, all passionate about automobiles, he is committed to delivering reliable and relevant content that ranges from detailed insurance guides to maintenance tips and much more.

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