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What do thieves do with stolen cars?

My mother’s car was stolen last month and I can’t stop wondering about what the person did with it. What exactly do thieves do with stolen cars?

avatar
Holden Easterbrook · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
People steal things for all kinds of reasons—money, a thrill, etc. However, most thieves tend to
steal cars
for a few specific purposes.
Here’s what thieves do with stolen cars:
  • Joy rides—While this tends to be the case for younger thieves, sometimes people steal cars just for the thrill and chance to drive a vehicle they might not otherwise have access to.
  • Transportation for another crime—A stolen vehicle makes for a simpler getaway car for a later crime. It can be used and abandoned afterward with little chance of being traced back to the thief.
  • Money from spare parts—This is the most common reason for stealing cars. Spare parts from a chopshop can be sold quickly for a lot of money and little chance of being traced back to the shop.
Of course, the person who stole your mother’s car may have done it for reasons known only to them. What you should know for certain is that this is a great time to add additional coverages to your insurance to
protect you from car theft
in the future.
Get the coverage you need at a price you can afford by downloading
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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