My Car Was Stolen and Involved in an Accident, What Should I Do? 

My Car Was Stolen and Involved in an Accident, What Should I Do? 

Should I Call My Insurance if My Car Was Stolen? 

Yes, in addition to filing a report with the police, you should call your insurance if your car is stolen. Ideally, you should call the insurance company immediately after learning it’s been stolen.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of other phone calls you’ll have to make if you find yourself in this situation.  Next, you should also notify the DMV that your car has been stolen. This may help you locate the car if the thieves are attempting to resell the car. Even if the goal of the theft wasn’t to resell the car, it could prevent the thieves from racking up a bunch of traffic violations in your name. If you do not own your car, you should call the bank that has the loan on the car. Do not assume that you don’t have to make payments on the car just because it’s stolen—you are probably still responsible for the loan.  

What Happens If Your Car Is Stolen and Gets into an Accident? 

In this situation, your best bet would be to make a claim with your insurance company. Generally speaking, you need comprehensive coverage for theft. However, you may want to speak with an adjuster who can help you understand the limits of your policy. Failing to file a police report to support your claim that the vehicle was in fact stolen, could result in your facing allegations of liability for the collision. By filing a police report, you are taking a substantial step and facing potential penalties if you’re lying, which is why the insurance company will be more likely to believe what you’re saying is true, if you did in fact file a police report. However, if you’ve reported your car as stolen, you will not be liable for accidents that the burglars cause while driving your car without your permission. Your insurance will only cover individuals driving your vehicle if you gave them permission to use it. It is common for insurance companies to deny claims arising from non-permissive use. So, while insurance does generally cover damages when someone else crashes your car, you wouldn’t be liable for the injuries sustained by the other people involved, and they cannot make a claim against your insurance. Now, with respect to getting your car repaired, your insurance may not provide coverage when someone steals your car and crashes it, unless you have comprehensive coverage for theft.  

Do You Get a New Car if Your Car Is Stolen? 

You do not automatically get a new car if yours is stolen. First, if your car can be repaired for a reasonable amount, your insurance company will always prefer to do that. If your car is stolen, but the cost of the repairs exceeds the value of your vehicle, an option you may have is to receive the actual cash value of your car from the insurance company.  Depending on your circumstances, the actual cash value of your car may be lower than the remaining balance on your car loan. This is particularly true if you have a new car. For this reason, it is generally a good idea to consider investing in GAP insurance when you purchase a new car. If you do not have GAP insurance, you may be out of options for recovering the remaining balance of the loan. If your car is eventually recovered, you may have an opportunity to purchase it back from the insurance company. There is a good chance, however, that you will need to purchase the car back with a salvage title as it was likely considered to be a total loss when your insurance company paid you the actual cash value of the vehicle.  

What Happens if Your Car Is Stolen then Found Wrecked? 

It depends on what has happened between reporting your car as stolen and finding it. If your insurance company has already declared your car a total loss and paid out the claim, the insurance company will likely own your car and have the right to do with it as they please—although you may be able to buy it back from them. You do not have to take the car back if you do not want to take the car back, however, you may be responsible for ensuring that it is towed and impounded. You could also be responsible for any fees associated with towing, impounding, etc. If your car is found damaged, but it’s not a total loss, your insurance may cover the cost of the damages (minus the deductible, of course) provided that you have coverage for this specific situation. 

Does Your Insurance Go up after Your Car Is Stolen? 

Not necessarily, no. However, there are some situations where your car insurance could go up after your car has been stolen. If you live in an area where there is a high crime rate, and you do not have a secure place to park your car, you may find that your insurance rates go up—especially if your car is stolen after you move there. If your car is stolen or broken into on multiple occasions, you may also find that your rates increase. If your vehicle falls in the category of cars that are more susceptible to being stolen, that can also cause your insurance rates to increase. Insurance can be very nuanced and a lot of this will depend on where you’re located, the laws in your state, and your insurance policy. You may need to ask an agent or adjuster if you have questions about what your insurance will cover.  

When You’ve Been Injured 

If you’ve sustained injury in an accident, Moxie Law Group is here for you. Contact us today for a free consultation to help you get the compensation you deserve.