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How often are stolen cars found?

My car got stolen out of a parking garage yesterday and I’m really freaking out. What are the chances I’ll get my stolen car back?

avatar
Macy Fouse · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Wow, I’m so sorry to hear that!
According to recent statistics, one in five stolen cars are found completely intact. But don’t lose hope! There’s a 50% chance you’ll get it back in some capacity, but it’s likely to be damaged.
The chances of recovery also depend on where you live. Let’s look at the numbers:
  • The Midwest has the highest chance of recovery at 24%.
  • The Northeast has the lowest probability of recovery at 14%, though stolen cars are found faster than average in this region.
  • Cars stolen in the West are more likely to be damaged.
  • Stolen cars in the South tend to be more expensive than the national average.
The average rate of complete recovery seems low because around 30% of cars returned to owners come back with over $1,000 worth of damage. Another third of stolen cars come back beyond repair. It’s also likely that police will find your car but not the thief.
Your best bet for avoiding car theft, though, is to invest in anti-theft devices, park somewhere safe and well-lit, and always lock your vehicle. Another big factor in keeping your car safe is to have an ironclad
car insurance
policy.
When you use the
Jerry
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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