Having your car stolen is a distressing experience, and the hours immediately after discovery matter for both the police investigation and your insurance claim. Knowing what to do — and in what order — can make a real difference to the outcome. Here’s a clear guide.
The First Steps
Confirm it’s actually stolen. Before calling anyone, make sure the car isn’t where you left it for another reason — towed by the council for obstruction or non-payment of PCNs, or temporarily moved by someone with access. Check your local council’s website for information on vehicles seized in the area.
Call 999 if you witnessed the theft or it’s just happened. If the theft is in progress or has just occurred and there’s any chance of the car being nearby, call 999. For discovered thefts where the car has clearly been gone for some time, call 101 (the non-emergency line) or report online via your local police force’s website.
Obtain a crime reference number. You’ll need this for your insurance claim. Make sure you get it before ending the call or completing the online report.
Notify Your Insurer
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible — most have 24-hour claims lines. Provide them with the crime reference number, the vehicle’s registration, make, model, and colour, and any other details they ask for. Ask them what documentation they’ll need and what the process is for your specific policy.
Your insurer will typically have a waiting period — often 14–30 days — before they’ll settle a theft claim, to allow for the possibility that the vehicle is recovered. Vehicles are frequently recovered, sometimes damaged and sometimes intact.
Notify the DVLA
You should inform the DVLA that your vehicle has been stolen. This is done using section 9 of your V5C logbook (keep that section yourself if the rest was in the vehicle). If your logbook was in the car, report this to the DVLA as well — a stolen V5C creates a risk of the vehicle being re-registered fraudulently.
If the Car Is Recovered
Police will contact you if the vehicle is found. If it’s been found undamaged or with only minor damage, you may be offered it back. Check it carefully before accepting — look for damage that may not be immediately obvious, including ignition damage, interior ransacking, and any tampering with the bodywork.
If the vehicle has been recovered but damaged, it goes through the same assessment process as any other damaged vehicle — the insurer will assess whether it’s repairable or a write-off.
If the car has been used in the commission of another crime, the police may retain it as evidence for a period. This can delay the insurance settlement process, but your insurer should be kept informed and factor this into the timeline.
If the Car Isn’t Recovered
After the waiting period, if the vehicle hasn’t been found, your insurer will settle the claim. The settlement is based on the market value of the vehicle at the time of theft — what you paid for it originally, or what you still owe on finance, may be different from what the insurer pays.
This is where GAP insurance (Guaranteed Asset Protection) is relevant — if you’re on finance and the insurer’s payout is less than the outstanding finance balance, GAP insurance covers the difference. Without it, you can find yourself owing money on a car you no longer have.
Making Your Next Car Harder to Steal
Modern car theft, particularly of keyless entry vehicles, has evolved significantly. Relay theft — where thieves amplify the signal from a key fob inside your home to open and start the car — is the dominant method for high-value vehicle theft. Practical countermeasures include:
Storing key fobs in a signal-blocking pouch (sometimes called a Faraday pouch) when at home. These cost a few pounds and are highly effective against relay attacks. Fitting a physical steering wheel lock — a simple, visible deterrent that adds time and difficulty for thieves. A Thatcham-approved tracking device, which allows police to locate a recovered vehicle and is often required by insurers for high-value cars. Disabling keyless entry if your vehicle allows it — check the handbook.
Insurance After a Theft Claim
A theft claim will affect your no-claims discount and typically raises your premium at renewal. The increase varies by insurer and depends on whether you’re considered a higher risk based on your location and vehicle type. Shopping around at renewal is even more important following a claim — don’t assume your existing insurer offers the best post-claim rate.
If your claim was for a vehicle stolen due to relay theft and you’ve since taken countermeasures (new key fob storage, additional security), mentioning this to insurers when quoting may help.
Catalytic Converter Theft
Catalytic converter theft — where thieves cut the catalytic converter from beneath the car, sometimes in minutes with power tools — is treated differently from whole-vehicle theft. It’s covered under comprehensive insurance, usually under the same claim process as any other damage. Vehicles most commonly targeted include Toyota Prius, Honda Jazz, and certain SUVs with higher ground clearance. If your vehicle is frequently targeted, fitting a catalytic converter protection device and asking your insurer specifically about cover is worthwhile.
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