Who pays if my car is stolen?

After the theft: What to do now?

In order to be compensated for the theft damage, those affected should act as quickly as possible: First of all, an immediate report to the police is necessary so that they can trigger a manhunt. Then inform your partial casco insurer.

In order for the insurer to cover the claim, it usually needs the following evidence from the customer:

• Proof of reporting to the police
• All vehicle keys and vehicle documents
• Deregistration certificate from the registration office
• Written notification of damage from the customer
• Information on the value of the vehicle

By the way: If the car does turn up at some point, the car insurance company will take care of the vehicle as the new owner. If the car has to be disposed of, the car insurance company bears the costs.

Stolen car: Which insurance pays for the damage?

If the car has been stolen, partial comprehensive insurance compensates for the damage incurred. If you have taken out fully comprehensive insurance for your vehicle, you won't be left empty-handed either, because partial comprehensive insurance is automatically included in the fully comprehensive insurance. The insurance customer is reimbursed for the replacement value. This is exactly the money that the customer needs to be able to buy an equivalent vehicle again. Only the deductible is deducted. Since there is no no-claims discount in partial casco, there is no downgrading.

The same applies if car thieves break into a vehicle and steal parts of it such as on-board computers, airbags or radios. If permanently installed car parts are stolen, the partial comprehensive insurance will pay for it. A car window smashed during theft will also be replaced by the insurance company.

What happens if the stolen car reappears?

What many people don't know is that if the car is found again within a month of reporting the claim to the insurer, the insurance customer will get his car back. According to the insurance contract, however, this obligation only applies if the repossession is possible within this period and with reasonable efforts.

If the estimated repair costs exceed the value of the vehicle (replacement value) and a repair is uneconomical, the insurance customer usually receives the so-called replacement costs for an equivalent replacement vehicle instead of the repair costs. The residual value of the damaged vehicle is deducted from this. To avoid differences over the residual value, it is advisable to coordinate with the insurance company before selling. Residual value buyers can advise at this moment.

Prevention: How drivers protect themselves from theft

• If possible, the car should not be parked on the side of the road or in unsecured carports, but in a lockable garage. If you can't use a garage, it's best to park your car in well-lit and busy streets.

• Even if you are away for a short time, the ignition key should be removed and windows, doors, trunk, fuel cap, sunroof and, of course, the convertible roof should be closed.

• When locking with the radio remote control, it is important to ensure that the car acknowledges the locking with an optical and/or acoustic signal. Thieves can jam or decrypt the radio signal to steal the car.

• Original papers Your vehicle does not belong in the car any more than spare keys.

• If you lose a car key, you should visit a specialist workshop immediately. If necessary, this can block the lost or stolen key.

Further tips are given, among other things, by police crime prevention.