What to do if your car is stolen
30 September 2024
If you think your car has been stolen - dont panic. There are a few things you can do to navigate this stressful time.
Make sure your car wasn’t towed
Check for parking restrictions and towing signs that display a phone number to call. If you suspect your car was towed, but can’t find a contact number, call your state roads department.
Don't touch anything
If your car was stolen, try to preserve the crime scene to make it easier for the police to do their job. Try to avoid touching anything the offender may have touched - such as nearby windows and garage door handles.
Report it to the police
Contact your local police station to report your missing vehicle. Depending on your state, you may be allowed to report the incident via an online form.
Info you may need to provide
- Your personal details, such as your name, date of birth, address and contact info.
- When and where the incident occured.
- Vehicle details like make and model, rego number, colour, owners, and so on.
- Details of personal belongings in the vehicle, such as description, quantity, and approximate value.
What if you spot your stolen car?
It is not recommended that you search for your vehicle.
But if you do spot your missing vehicle or the offender, contact your local police station immediately. Do not attempt to retrieve the vehicle yourself - it's best to leave this to the professionals.
Check CCTV footage
If you or your neighbours have security cameras, check to see if they've captured footage of the suspect or crime.
If your car was stolen at a shopping centre or a council carpark, contact the relevant authorities for access to the footage.
Forward any relevant clips along to the police. This may help the investigation.
Make an insurance claim for a stolen car
Get in touch with your insurer to get the claims process started. Don't forget to send a copy of your police report - this can help protect you if the thief gets into an accident while driving your car.
If your car is stolen, will insurance cover it?
Suncorp Comprehensive Car Insurance covers theft and other insured events.*
If you're a Suncorp Comprehensive Car Insurance customer, you can easily make a claim online.
We even provide a hire car for up to 21 days after the theft of your car, so you can resume your day to day activities without hassle.*
With Suncorp Comprehensive Car Insurance, if your car has been stolen or damaged due to attempted theft and your claim is accepted as a total loss, you may be eligible to have it replaced ‘new for old’. This means that, if you’re eligible, we’ll replace your car with a new car of the same make, model and series, provided one is available within 90 days of us deciding your car is a total loss. If one is not available within 90 days, we'll provide you with a new car that's available within that time frame, which is a similar make or model to your car. Limits, exclusions and conditions apply.
Read your Product Disclosure Statement to find out exactly what’s covered.
If you choose not to accept the replacement, we'll pay you the reasonable replacement cost of a similar make or model to your car (including the initial registration, CTP/MAI insurance, delivery charges and stamp duty costs), or the amount covered shown on your certificate of insurance – whichever is higher.
Learn more about new for old replacement here.
Read your PDS for eligibility requirements and the full list of T&Cs.
Get a Comprehensive Car Insurance quote
What if your stolen car is found after the insurance payout?
With Suncorp Comprehensive Car Insurance, after a payout, car ownership is typically transferred to us. So if your missing vehicle is found after a claim, we’ll keep it and look after all the relevant paperwork.
What if your vehicle is found damaged or burnt out
With Suncorp Comprehensive Car Insurance, in these cases, we'll assess the vehicle to see if it's viable for repairs. If your vehicle is deemed a total loss, and you’re eligible, we'll replace it new for old.*
Not eligible for new for old replacement? Don’t worry – you’ll receive the amount covered or market value amount (depending on the type of coverage you chose) if your vehicle is a total loss.
Explore Comprehensive Car Insurance
Protect your personal security
It's easy to overlook certain details when you're caught up in the mess of a missing vehicle.
But take a moment to consider what items you had on board. Did you leave your wallet in the car? What about your house keys?
If your personal security has been compromised, it's important to address this. For example, getting a locksmith to change your locks to prevent a break-in, or cancelling debit or credit cards left in the affected vehicle.
Does car insurance cover personal belongings?
Yes, when your car is stolen or damaged in an incident covered by your Suncorp Comprehensive Car Insurance policy, we'll also cover accidental loss or damage to your personal property - up to a limit.*
Check out the PDS for more info.
If my car was stolen, does my premium go up?
If your car is stolen and we settle your claim, this may be one of the many factors that influence your renewal premium.
Read more:
*Subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of your policy.
Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as Suncorp Insurance. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. Go to suncorp.com.au for a copy. Target Market Determination also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. This information is intended to be of general nature only. Subject to any rights you may have under any law, we do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss or damage, including loss of business or profits or any other indirect loss incurred as a result of reliance upon the information. Please make your own enquiries.
