Step-by-step guide to car recovery after theft
Whether at home or in a public space, discovering an empty parking spot where your car once parked is an unsettling experience.
Car thefts in the UK have nearly doubled in the last five years, according to recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In 2022, 130,389 vehicles were stolen in England and Wales, a 24.9 percent increase from the previous year. This alarming trend highlights the need for increased vigilance and preventative measures to protect vehicles from theft.
When your car is stolen, you need to act fast. Read along to know what you should do if your car gets stolen.
Make some phone calls
First things first, contact your local police immediately on 999 (UK) and provide your car’s details, such as its registration number, make and model, and colour. They will then issue a crime reference number that is crucial for your insurance claim. The police will contact DVLA about the theft and if the car is found.
Once you’ve contacted the police, inform your car insurance provider about the theft. Have your policy and crime reference numbers ready to expedite the claim process.
If your insurance claim is successful, the insurance firm now owns the car. Inform the DVLA of the car’s ownership change. The DVLA will update records and refund any remaining vehicle tax.
You can do this online or by filling out your logbook’s “sell, transfer, or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade” section. Send the perforated section to the DVLA with a letter stating the date of payout and your insurance company’s details.
If you have a personalised registration number, act quickly to retain it after reporting the theft. This allows you to transfer it to another vehicle later. The application fee is £80 and must be submitted within two years and six months after notifying the DVLA about the stolen car.
Recovering stolen cars
When the Met Police recovers a lost or stolen car, they securely store it in a police pound. It protects the vehicle from potential damage, theft, and criminal activity usage and ensures it doesn’t pose a hazard or obstruction to other road users.
After your impounded vehicle arrives at one of the pounds, you will receive a notification letter detailing the collection process. This letter will specify the pound location and provide clear instructions for reclaiming your car.
Upon confirming ownership at the pound, you can retrieve your vehicle immediately. However, if it was stolen, Met Police strongly advise professional recovery and inspection by a garage before driving it yourself. The thief’s actions may have caused damage.
Please remember that you, as the vehicle’s owner, are responsible for all statutory removal and storage charges. The vehicle will only be released upon full payment. If the owner fails to reclaim their motorcar within 14 days, the police will dispose of it.
Charges for reclaiming your vehicle vary depending on its type, size, location, and condition. In most cases, your car insurance will cover these fees, subject to your policy and specific circumstances.
Keeping your car safe
Unfortunately, the chance of recovering your car after it is stolen is never 100 percent. Car thieves are adept at stealing and exporting, or stealing and breaking down cars into parts very quickly. This underscores the importance of proactive measures to safeguard your vehicle and deter potential theft.
Always ensure your car is locked before leaving, whether at home, a petrol station, or elsewhere. Avoid parking in secluded areas on the streets. Opt for well-lit, manned car parks or those with a Park Mark for safer parking.
Install a Thatcham-approved alarm system with tracking, immobilisation, and anti-grab sensors to safeguard and track your car if it gets stolen. If your car has a keyless entry system, store the key in a signal-blocking / Faraday pouch to prevent signal cloning and unauthorised access to your vehicle.
For more advice on how to protct your car, house, or other assets, please contact Marengo.
https://www.comparethemarket.com/car-insurance/content/what-to-do-if-your-car-is-stolen/
https://www.gov.uk/what-to-do-if-your-vehicle-has-been-stolen/personalised-registration-number
