Check your car was stolen
If there’s no sign of your car where you parked it, you’d be forgiven for assuming someone has taken it… But have they?
According to the Metropolitan Police, it’s surprisingly common for cars to go missing for reasons other than theft. Possibilities include:
It was towed while illegally parked. For example, roadworks were taking place and you didn’t notice that parking was suspended
You parked it somewhere else and forgot. This really does happen, especially if your usual parking space wasn’t available or you parked in a multi-storey car park
Someone else with keys borrowed the car without telling you.
If you think your car could have been towed, call the police on the non-emergency 101 number to see if it’s been impounded and how to get it back.
Report your car as stolen
If your car really has been stolen, you’ll need to act fast. Here’s who you need to call:
The police on 101 – this will get you through to your local police. They’ll give you a crime reference number, which you’ll need to start an insurance claim. The police will need to know your car’s make, model, colour and registration number.
Your car insurance provider – after you’ve phoned the police, contact your car insurance provider to get the ball rolling on your insurance claim. Make sure you have your policy number and crime reference number to hand.
The DVLA – if your insurance claim goes ahead and your insurance provider pays out, you’ll need to let the DVLA know that you no longer own the car. The insurance provider now owns the car, so the DVLA will need to update its records. It will also refund you any remaining vehicle tax.
Did you know?
A total of 64,087 vehicles were reported stolen to the DVLA in 2023 – a 5% increase on the previous year. That equates to one vehicle stolen every eight minutes or so in the UK last year.
What should I do if my van is stolen?
If your van is stolen, you should follow the steps above, just as you would if your car is stolen. Your first step should always be to contact the police.
What should I do if tools are stolen from my van?
If tools are stolen from your van, contact the police and report the crime. They’ll give you a crime reference number, which you’ll need to give to your insurance provider if you’re eligible to make a claim.
Just be aware that a standard van insurance policy will only cover your van, not the tools inside. You’ll need to take out tool cover that can be added to your van insurance or bought as a standalone policy.
However, even with the extra insurance, many policies won’t cover your tools if they’re left in your van overnight. If you do need to keep them in your van all the time, look for a policy that includes overnight cover.
Does car insurance cover car theft?
Some car insurance policies cover car theft, but it depends on the level of cover you have.
Third-party insurance is the most basic level of car insurance you can buy. It won’t cover you if your car is stolen. It only covers you if you damage someone else’s car or injure somebody.
Third-party, fire and theft insurance or comprehensive car insurance could cover car theft.
If your car is found and has very little damage, your insurance provider should be able to settle the claim relatively quickly.
If your car isn’t recovered, or is found but with irreparable damage, your provider will typically pay out the car’s market value so you can buy a replacement. How much your insurance provider pays out will depend on your policy.
Can black box insurance help with a stolen car?
As well as monitoring your driving, a black box insurance policy could help the police to find your car if it’s stolen.
If you have a black box in your car, the telematics technology could help the police trace your vehicle. Your insurance provider can pass on the GPS tracking data to the police.
Not all telematics policies have GPS tracking, so it’s something to look out for when comparing black box insurance.
What happens when your car is stolen then found in the UK?
If the police let you know your car has been found, you’ll need to tell your insurance provider right away. They’ll need to know if the car has been damaged, used to commit a crime or is potentially unsafe to drive.
The police will arrange for your car to be recovered. You may have to pay a fee of £200-£400, which can usually be claimed back on your insurance. Your provider will assess the car to decide whether it can be repaired or if it’s a write-off.
Make sure you collect your car from the police promptly. If you don’t, they might dispose of it after 14 days.
What happens if your car gets stolen on finance?
If a car you’ve bought on finance is stolen, it will be treated much the same way as any other car theft. You’ll still need to contact the police and your insurance provider, as well as the finance company.
The main difference is that it will be the finance company, rather than you, who receives any pay-out.
If you’re worried that your insurance provider won’t pay out enough to cover the cost of the car, you may want to consider GAP insurance.
How to prevent your car being stolen
Don’t give thieves an opportunity to make off with your car. Take these simple precautions to help protect your vehicle from theft:
Always check your car is locked before leaving it, even when you’re parked at home or at a petrol station.
Be careful where you park. If you’re parking on a street, avoid leaving your car in a secluded area. In car parks, leave your vehicle in a well-lit and manned car park or one with a Park Mark safer parking award.
Remove valuables from your car or hide them in the boot or glove box – no matter how trivial the item. Even a charger cable could be of value to someone, and it may suggest there’s a device in the car.
If your car has a keyless entry system, keep the key in a signal-blocking pouch. This will stop thieves cloning your key’s signal and tricking your car into unlocking.
Consider fitting a Thatcham-approved alarm system with tracking, immobilisation and anti-grab sensors that could help protect and trace your car if it’s stolen.
If you’re selling a car, always go with potential buyers on a test drive. And remember, you’ll need to check that they have insurance in place.
Looking for a car insurance quote?
If you’re getting rid of a car and buying a new one, don’t forget to insure it. Compare car insurance quotes with us today and see if you could start saving.
FAQs
What if my stolen car has a personalised number plate?
If your stolen vehicle had a personalised registration that you want to keep, call the DVLA as soon as your car is stolen. If you get your car back, you can apply to have those plates back on the vehicle.
If you don’t get the car back, you’ll need to wait six months before you can transfer your personalised registration to a different vehicle. You’ll also need to show that the car had a valid MOT and was taxed at the time of the theft. You can then request a tax refund.
You’ll need to tell your insurance provider you have personalised plates when you make a claim.
Will car insurance cover the cost of possessions in my stolen car?
If you have a comprehensive policy, you may be able to claim for any belongings left in your car when it was stolen.
Third-party, fire and theft policies and third-party only policies don’t usually cover possessions.
If your car insurance doesn’t cover stolen items, you might be able to claim for personal possessions on your home insurance policy instead.
Could my car insurance claim be rejected if my car is stolen?
If your insurance provider thinks you’ve been careless, there’s a chance they could refuse to pay out. For example, leaving your keys or keyless fob inside or near the car isn’t usually covered, nor is leaving a window open.
Your insurance provider might also refuse to pay out if your belongings were left in view, or there were no signs of a break-in. If you disagree with the reason your claim was rejected, you have the right to dispute the decision.
My car has been stolen. Will my insurance go up?
Yes, if you make a stolen car claim, it’s highly likely that the cost of your insurance will rise next time your policy is up for renewal.
A stolen car will also be logged on the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR), which could affect how much insurance providers charge for your premium.
Looking for something else?
With more than eight years’ experience in writing and sub-editing content, Karen started her career in fashion before making the move to insurance. She now specialises in producing clear, engaging content that helps people make better financial decisions.
Karen’s areas of expertise include insurance products, such as car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance, as well as utilities such as energy comparison.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by technology. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
