In 2017, it is estimated that more than 773,000 motor vehicles were stolen throughout the US. During this year, $6 billion was lost across the country due to auto thefts.
There are few things more confusing, infuriating, and stressful than walking outside to find that your car isn't where you left it. That being said, it's important to figure out whether it was towed or stolen before you determine your next steps.
How are you supposed to find out what happened to your car if it is no longer in the place you last parked it?
Let's take a look at how to check if a car was stolen or towed.
Towed or Stolen? How to Find Out
In general, there are three different options when your car is missing. Assuming you can rule out that it was not borrowed by a family member, significant other, or friend that you have a car-sharing arrangement with, your car has either been towed, stolen, or repossessed if you were behind on payments.
The first thing you'll want to do is look around the area where your car was last parked. Search for any "no parking" signs or other signs that could indicate that your vehicle was parked in a place it shouldn't have been. Oftentimes, private companies will have signs posted that list the company name and number of the towing services they use.
If there are signs listing a towing service, give them a call. If they don't have your vehicle, it's possible they were stolen.
If there aren't signs indicating that you could have been towed for parking where you did, you may be dealing with a stolen car situation.
What to Do If Your Car Was Towed
If you believe that your car was towed and there is a sign indicating the towing service used, give them a call to find out where your car is being held. If you are parked in a private lot, you can check with the property owner to find out if they called a towing service, and if they did, what the name and number of the company is.
Are you pretty sure your car was towed but you don't have any idea where it got towed to? Then you'll want to call your local police department. They will be able to give you more information, including the address of the impound lot.
Once you have located your vehicle, you'll want to check into what documents you'll need to get your car back. You will most likely have to show a valid driver's license, registration, and insurance information. It's also typically required that the vehicle owner be the one who picks it up, though an "authorized representative" might also be able to do so.
You'll then have to pay a fee to retrieve your car. In some places, you might have to pay past due parking tickets as well before you get your car back.
What to Do If Your Car Is Stolen
If you're pretty sure that your car was stolen and not towed or repossessed, you'll want to call law enforcement right away. They'll want a bunch of information about the car, including:
- The make, model, color, and year of the vehicle
- License plate number
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Any distinct features
- Information about your tracking device or GPS if you have one
- The location and time that you last saw your vehicle
Next, you'll want to call your insurance company as soon as possible. Contact your insurer to file an insurance claim right away and you'll want to give them any information they request as quickly as you can.
The insurance company might also ask for a list of valuables you had in your car, as they often cover stolen personal possessions. They'll also likely want a copy of the police report.
Sadly, less than half of the cars stolen in the US actually get recovered. Generally, insurance companies will wait 30 days after you file a stolen vehicle before considering a theft a complete loss. It's important to know that it's possible that this insurance claim could raise your insurance rates in the future.
How to Check If a Car Is Stolen
When a car is stolen, it is sometimes parted out at a chop shop, sometimes exported, sometimes abandoned, and sometimes resold.
If you're buying a used car, most people would inspect the vehicle to make sure it's in good working order and that they're getting a good deal. At the same time, it's important to run a stolen car check so that you aren't buying stolen goods.
Running a VIN check gives you access to the history of the vehicle. Ask the seller for the VIN number and then check the vehicle for its VIN number to ensure they match up.
You can also check with the DMV and with the car insurance company, who both maintain a stolen car database. Stolen car reporting doesn't always get updated immediately in each database, so it can be good to check it out from several angles.
There are also a number of red flags you might notice when dealing with the seller. Beyond stolen car checks, you'll want to pay attention to how they act. If they are unwilling to let you inspect the car or verify the VIN, being pushy in the sale, or offering a lower price when you say you want to get the car inspected.
Buying a Car Is a Big Decision: Make Sure You Have All the Information You Need With EpicVIN
Sadly, car theft is not that uncommon in the US. Finding out if your car was towed or stolen isn't what anyone wants to deal with, but at least if your car was towed you'll be able to pay the fines to get it back. If your car was stolen, there's a possibility it's gone for good.
Whether you're on Fleming Island in Clay County or in the big city of New York, it's important to find out if a vehicle you're buying has been reported stolen and might not truly belong to the person selling it.
You can use our free VIN check by state to help you verify the history of any used car. Check it out today!
