Report your stolen vehicle to the appropriate agencies as soon as possible.
After filing a report, it’s also important to contact your insurance provider and notify them of the crime. This will prevent you from being held liable in case your vehicle is involved in an accident.
You should also alert the DMV about your stolen vehicle. This will prompt you to file a different set of paperwork.
You come back to your parking spot and find that your car isn’t there anymore. You’re convinced it’s been stolen. Is there a way for you to contact the appropriate agencies online without using a phone?
The first thing you should do is immediately contact the police. Luckily, some police departments have online reporting systems. However, not all police departments will have this.
Reporting your stolen vehicle to the appropriate agencies immediately is important. That said, reporting a time-sensitive crime like this online has some drawbacks. Filling up an online form isn’t the same as contacting a representative through a call. The representatives that you contact through a call can immediately notify the appropriate people immediately. There are several other agencies that you need to notify other than the police, and notifying them online might not be an option.
The first thing you should do when your car has been stolen is to immediately contact the police, then notify your insurance provider.
The police will ask you for pertinent details about your vehicle, such as its year, make, model, license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and color. They’ll also ask you about the last time you saw the car and whether it was parked near security cameras.
Once you’ve notified law enforcement, you should contact your insurance provider. It’s important that you reach out to your insurance company immediately because your insurance company might hold you liable if your stolen car is involved in an accident or a crime.
You should file a comprehensive claim if your vehicle has comprehensive coverage. You should also give the insurance company the following documents and information:
A copy of the police report
Contact information of your financing company (if applicable)
A description of the vehicle and the last time you saw it
A list of personal items in the vehicle
Your vehicle title
You must also notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) about the stolen vehicle.
If the vehicle is leased, you should report the incident to your financing agency after contacting your insurance agency. The financier holds the title of the car. Hence, if the car is completely lost, the insurance agency will pay the titleholder first. Afterward, you’ll receive the remaining funds.
You must also notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) about the stolen vehicle. Every state handles things differently, and they might require you to file the report within a specific time frame after the crime, so don’t put it off. Go to your state’s government website to locate your DMV and learn more about the process. The DMV will make you complete a form with basic information about the stolen car and provide a copy of the police report.
Reporting a stolen car can be complicated and even daunting. However, acting swiftly can give you the best odds of getting your vehicle back. If it isn’t recovered, then at least you’ll be properly compensated by insurance.
Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.
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