What to Do if Your Car Is Ever Stolen: A Practical Guide for Every Driver

Every 39 seconds. That’s how frequently a vehicle is stolen in the United States. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), over one million vehicles were reported stolen in 2023, representing a seven percent increase from the previous year. While comprehensive insurance coverage can provide financial protection, losing your vehicle to theft can be stressful and disorienting. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what happens after your car disappears, from reporting the theft to resolving your insurance claim. (You’ll also find some theft prevention tips.)

Steps to Take in the First 24 Hours

Notify the Police: As soon as you discover your vehicle is missing — and confirm it wasn't towed or borrowed by someone you know — alert local law enforcement. Getting the theft logged as soon as possible is crucial, as statistics show that 20 percent of recovered vehicles are found within the first 24 hours of being taken.

When filing your police report, be prepared with:

• Your vehicle's make, model, year, and color
• License plate number and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
• Distinctive features or modifications
• When and where you last saw the vehicle
• Any personal items of value that were in the vehicle

Request a copy of the police report, as your insurance company will need this documentation to process your claim. Law enforcement will enter your vehicle information into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, making it visible to police departments nationwide.

Pro Tip:Hopefully, you’re reading this article before anything has happened to your precious ride. If so, take photos of it now! Capture your vehicle from multiple angles and store these images in the cloud for easy access in case you ever need to provide them to the authorities.

Report Your Insurance Claim: After contacting the police, your next call should be to your auto insurer. Wawanesa members can report a vehicle theft 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 888-WAWA-CLAIM (929-2252).

Have this information ready:

• Your policy number
• Police report number
• Details about the stolen vehicle
• Your current contact information

Your claim representative will guide you through the process and after collecting initial information, give you a claim number. A dedicated claims adjuster will typically be assigned within 1-2 business days.

Rental Cars

While your claim is being processed, you'll most likely need alternative transportation. Wawanesa offers its California members up to 30 days of rental coverage for a covered claim — even if they don’t carry rental coverage on their policy.

Be sure to ask your claims rep the following:

• The duration of your rental coverage (typically 30 days)
• Your daily dollar limit
• Whether you need to pay upfront and get reimbursed
• If special rates are available from preferred rental partners

The Investigation Process

Once you’ve filed your claim, both the police and your insurance company will conduct investigations. Wawanesa thoroughly investigates every theft, which can sometimes take up to 30 days or longer if the circumstances require it. If the vehicle is not recovered, there could be a 30-day waiting period to allow for the possibility of recovering it before the claim is resolved.

Your insurance adjuster will:

• Request a completed proof of loss form (also known as an affidavit of theft), which may need to be notarized. Incomplete or unreturned forms are one of the most common reasons for delays in the claims investigation process.
• Review the police report.
• Interview you about the theft circumstances.
• Check if your vehicle has tracking capabilities.
• Verify your policy coverage and status.

Recovery Statistics

The data on vehicle recovery varies by region and vehicle type. Nationwide, approximately 56 percent of stolen vehicles are eventually found, though this rate increases to 65-70 percent in states with dedicated auto-theft task forces. SUVs and trucks have lower recovery rates (48 percent) compared to sedans (61 percent).

Most vehicles are recovered within the first few days after the theft — if they're going to be found at all. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 50-60 percent of stolen vehicles are eventually recovered. However, only 34 percent of those vehicles are returned in drivable condition.

If Your Vehicle is Recovered

If law enforcement locates your car, they’ll notify you. The recovery process typically involves the following:

• Immediately notify your insurance company of the recovery.
• Inspect your car and make a note of any theft-related damage.
• If the vehicle is drivable, retrieve it from the impound lot to mitigate storage costs. If it’s not drivable, your insurance company will typically help you determine the best place to take it and will assist with a tow.
• Your insurer will arrange an inspection and determine if repairs are economically feasible.
• After assessing damage and completing the investigation, your claims handler will discuss the claim resolution.

Pro Tip: Even if your vehicle appears undamaged, have it inspected by a professional mechanic. Data shows that 28 percent of seemingly undamaged recovered vehicles have mechanical issues that aren't immediately apparent.

Personal Belongings in Your Car

Typically, auto policies don’t cover personal belongings left in vehicles. Contact your homeowners or renters insurance provider to file a separate claim for any belongings missing from your car after the theft.

If your drivers license, car registration, or credit cards were in your car, consider contacting your bank and placing fraud alerts with credit bureaus to protect against identity theft. Also, since the thieves may have your keys or garage-door opener, along with your car registration showing your address, consider changing your house locks and/or reprogramming the garage door code.

Insurance Settlement Process

If your vehicle isn't recovered within the first couple of weeks or is found but declared a total loss, your insurance company will typically proceed with a settlement once coverage has been confirmed.

The amount you’ll receive is typically based on the actual cash value (ACV) of your vehicle immediately before the theft, with consideration for:

• Year, make, and model
• Mileage
• Overall condition
• Cost of comparable vehicles in your area
• Options and features

Most insurance companies issue payments within 30 days of reporting a claim, though this varies by state, insurance provider, and claim specifics. If you're still making payments on the vehicle, the settlement will first go toward paying off the loan balance.

Purchasing a Replacement Vehicle

Once your claim is settled, you'll likely be in the market for a new car. Before you move ahead, consider using your settlement to make a down payment, which can significantly reduce your monthly financing costs. Take time to research vehicles with lower theft rates, as this information can help you choose a model less likely to attract thieves in the future.

It's also worth investing in a car with advanced anti-theft technology, which not only protects your new purchase but may qualify you for insurance discounts. Finally, get insurance quotes before buying your new car to avoid surprises, as premiums can vary dramatically between different vehicle makes and models, especially after you’ve filed a theft claim.

Preventative Measures to Protect Your Car

To better protect your car, consider installing steering wheel locks, kill switches, or alarm systems as theft deterrents. GPS tracking devices can also provide location information should your vehicle be stolen. Whenever possible, park in well-lit, high-traffic areas where potential thieves are less likely to operate unnoticed.

Never leave spare keys in or near your vehicle, and always remove all valuables when parking, even if you'll only be gone for a short time. These simple precautions can significantly reduce your risk of becoming an auto theft victim. It’s also a good idea to check your policy before anything does happen to your car, so you know you have the right amount of comprehensive and rental car coverage.

Conclusion

Having your car stolen is, at best, hugely disruptive — at worst, it can feel like a violation. But understanding the process that follows the loss can help reduce stress during a difficult time. By taking prompt action and working closely with law enforcement and your insurance provider, you’ll know you’ve done everything possible to achieve a positive outcome.

Wawanesa claims representatives are available to guide you through each step of this process. Don't hesitate to ask questions about your specific situation or get clarification about your policy coverage and benefits. For more information on protecting your car or to review your current coverage, feel free to reach out.