Can I reject my stolen recovered car?
You can reject your stolen recovered car in certain circumstances. Often, auto insurance companies have a limit on how long you and they have to wait for a stolen car to be recovered. If the car is not recovered in that time, the insurance company will pay your claim — if you have the right coverage. If your vehicle is recovered after a claim has been paid, the recovered car will likely become the property of the insurance company.
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Ty Stewart
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Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about life insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as a life insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed life insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the...
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UPDATED: Jan 15, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 15, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance providers please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Most companies will have a waiting period of about one month to determine if your car is recovered before issuing any compensation
- If someone attempts to sell the vehicle or apply for a new title, the car will be flagged as stolen
- If you want to keep your stolen and recovered vehicle, you will need to have it examined by a claims adjuster
If you’ve ever been a victim of car theft, you’re not alone. Over 700,000 vehicles are stolen in the U.S. every year, collectively costing drivers billions of dollars.
However, having your vehicle stolen does not mean it’s gone forever. In 2019, the total value of vehicles reported stolen was over $6 billion. 56% of that value (about $3.4 billion) was recovered by law enforcement agencies and vehicle owners. In other words, it’s very common for drivers who are victims of car theft to get their vehicles back.
But what do you do if you get your car back and you no longer want it? Perhaps it has been damaged — or maybe time has passed since the theft and you’ve already bought a new car. Read on to learn more about your options and how your auto insurance might respond in the event that your stolen car is recovered.
No matter what you’re driving, you need insurance. To find the best auto insurance rates near you, enter your ZIP code into our free search tool.
What Do I Do When My Car is Recovered?
According to the NHTSA, when your car is stolen, your first step is probably contacting the police, then your insurer. This establishes a record of the theft, along with identifying characteristics that could be used to find your car (even after damage, repainting, or other changes to its appearance). Those include:
- License plate number
- Make, model, and color
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Other identifying physical characteristics
Filing the appropriate reports ensures that your vehicle is entered into national and state auto theft reporting systems. The event of the theft is also recorded on the vehicle’s title record. That way, if someone attempts to sell the vehicle or apply for a new title, the car will be flagged as stolen. Law enforcement should know how to locate a stolen car by VIN to help them recover it.
If your car is recovered, the best way to proceed depends on who found it.
- Recovered cars are usually either found by the registered owner or law enforcement. If the police found your vehicle, they should advise you on how to proceed.
- If you’re the one who located your stolen vehicle, you should immediately contact both the police and your insurance carrier. You should not attempt to drive the vehicle right away. There are multiple reasons for this:
- You won’t know if there is any vehicle damage that could make it dangerous to drive.
- If your car is still registered as stolen with the police, you risk being pulled over for driving a stolen vehicle.
- Moving the vehicle could destroy potential evidence that could be used in a criminal investigation.
Contacting the authorities will ensure the stolen vehicle alert for your car is canceled and the recovery is noted on your title record. Check out our guide on what percentage of stolen cars are recovered.
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Can I Reject My Stolen Recovered Car?
Once all parties have been informed, the next step is figuring out what to do with your vehicle.
In some cases, you won’t actually want to recoup the car (nor forfeit the potential insurance benefits associated with its theft). So, can you reject it?
The answer to this question isn’t a simple yes or no. Your insurance provider is responsible for determining how you’re compensated for your stolen car.
They may consider a variety of factors when determining how to proceed with your car insurance claim and whether your stolen car is covered:
- The length of time that has passed since the car was reported stolen
- When you opened a claim
- The coverage on your auto insurance policy
- Whether the car is damaged or stripped of parts
Most insurance companies will have a waiting period, sometimes around one month, to see if your car is recovered before they issue any compensation. If your car is recovered within this window or soon after you file an insurance claim, you will likely not be able to reject the car without also forfeiting any benefits that would have been afforded to you with the claim.
Per Car and Driver, if you have already been paid out for the claim by the time it is recovered, the car may simply become the property of the insurance company. So, you may not always be able to choose to reject the car, but sometimes the option will be chosen for you by the insurer.
What If I Want to Keep My Car?
If you want to keep your stolen and recovered vehicle, you will need to have it examined by a claims adjuster. A claims adjuster is an insurance specialist who will determine if any damage occurred to the vehicle while it was out of your possession, what the cost of that damage is, and how that damage affects the overall value of the car. (For more information, read our “Claims Adjuster: Insurance Explained“).
If you have comprehensive insurance coverage, you won’t be liable for the damage that occurred. Depending on your plan and the adjuster’s assessment, you will receive a payout that can help cover the damage or the insurance company will provide other options to help you repair the vehicle.
Protect Your Investment
Whether you’ll receive any benefits for your stolen vehicle depends on your insurance policy.
Whether you find yourself back behind the wheel of your recovered vehicle or purchase a new model, be sure to cover it with a new policy. You never know when unexpected and costly events will threaten to take away your main mode of transportation. That’s why comprehensive auto insurance is so important.
We provide up-to-date information on all of the top car insurance providers. Using our easy comparison tools, you can find the cheapest rates with the best coverage to fit your individual wants and needs. We help you find the best rates on the market without having to bother with individual quotes or deal with upselling from the agencies themselves.
Take the guesswork out of car insurance and get started with a free quote comparison today with our comparison tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reject my stolen recovered car?
Yes, in some cases, you may be able to reject a stolen recovered car, especially if you discover significant damages or issues with the vehicle after it has been recovered. However, the process and requirements for rejecting a stolen recovered car can vary depending on your location and the specific circumstances of the theft and recovery.
What should I do if my stolen car is recovered?
If your stolen car is recovered, it is important to take the following steps:
- Notify the Police: Contact the police immediately and provide them with all the necessary information about the recovery of your stolen car.
- Assess the Condition of the Vehicle: Once the car is recovered, assess its condition thoroughly. Look for any damages, signs of vandalism, or mechanical issues that may have occurred during the theft or recovery process.
- Inform Your Insurance Company: Contact your insurance company and inform them about the recovery of your stolen car. Provide them with all the details and documentation they may require.
- Arrange for Inspection: Your insurance company may want to inspect the vehicle to assess the damages and determine its condition. Follow their instructions and cooperate throughout the process.
Can I reject a stolen recovered car if it has significant damages?
If your stolen recovered car has significant damages that affect its safety, value, or functionality, you may have grounds to reject the vehicle. However, the specific rules and procedures for rejecting a stolen recovered car can vary. It is important to consult with your insurance company and local authorities to understand the options available to you in your particular situation.
What are the steps to reject a stolen recovered car?
The steps to reject a stolen recovered car can vary depending on your location and the regulations in place. However, in general, the process may involve the following steps:
- Document the Damages: Take detailed photographs of the damages and gather any supporting evidence, such as police reports or repair estimates, to substantiate your claim.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance company about your intention to reject the vehicle. Provide them with all the necessary documentation and evidence of the damages.
- Follow Insurance Company Procedures: Your insurance company will guide you through their specific procedures for rejecting a stolen recovered car. Follow their instructions and provide any additional information they may require.
- Consult Legal Advice if Necessary: If you encounter difficulties in rejecting the vehicle or resolving the situation with your insurance company, it may be beneficial to seek legal advice from an attorney specializing in insurance law.
Are there any time limitations for rejecting a stolen recovered car?
The time limitations for rejecting a stolen recovered car can vary depending on local laws and insurance policies. Some jurisdictions may have specific timeframes within which you must notify your insurance company or initiate the rejection process. It is crucial to promptly report the recovery of the stolen car and consult with your insurance company to understand any applicable time limitations.
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Ty Stewart
Licensed Insurance Agent
Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about life insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as a life insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed life insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.