What happens if your car is stolen?
Discovering that your car is stolen can be a stressful and upsetting experience. While it’s natural to panic, taking the right steps quickly can improve the chances of recovering your vehicle and help make the insurance process smoother.
The first thing you should do is check that nobody has moved, towed, or borrowed your vehicle. Once you confirm that someone has stolen it, contact the police immediately and report the theft.
The police will provide you with a crime reference number, which you’ll need when speaking to your insurance provider.
Contact your insurance company
After reporting the theft to the police, you should notify your insurer as soon as possible. Most insurance companies require prompt notification and will ask for details such as:
Vehicle information
You’ll usually need to provide:
- Your registration number
- Vehicle make and model
- Last known location
- Approximate time the vehicle was last seen
Security details
Insurers may ask about:
- Vehicle keys
- Alarm systems
- Immobilisers
- Tracking devices
Providing accurate information can help speed up the claims process.
What happens during the investigation?
Both the police and your insurer may investigate the theft. Your insurer will typically verify the details you provide and may wait for a period before settling your claim in case the police recover the vehicle.
If the police find your vehicle, the outcome depends on its condition. Your insurer may repair minor damage, but they may declare the vehicle a write-off if it has significant damage.
If the police don’t recover your vehicle, your insurer may offer a settlement based on its market value at the time of the theft.
Will your insurance cover a stolen car?
Whether you’re covered depends on the type of policy you have.
Comprehensive insurance
Most fully comprehensive policies include theft cover, meaning you can usually make a claim if your vehicle is stolen.
Third-party only insurance
Third-party only policies generally do not cover vehicle theft, so you may not receive compensation for the loss of the vehicle.
Always check your policy documents carefully to understand exactly what is included.
How can you reduce the risk of theft?
While no vehicle is completely theft-proof, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk:
- Lock your vehicle every time you leave it
- Avoid leaving valuables on display
- Park in well-lit areas
- Use steering wheel locks or additional security devices
- Consider installing a tracking system
Taking extra precautions may help deter thieves and could even reduce your insurance costs.
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The experience of finding out your car is stolen can be difficult, but knowing what to do next can make the process far more manageable.
