This is a great question. Car theft is an unfortunate situation that many people find themselves in. You may not know what the right thing is to do if your car is stolen with a title loan!
If this is a scenario you are afraid of, we hope to clear up any uncertainties or misinformation you may have. If your car is stolen and you have a title loan, unfortunately, you are still legally obligated to pay the remaining loan amount.
In the event, your vehicle is stolen and this happens while you have a car title loan on it, the very first thing you want to do is to contact the police and file a police report. The longer you wait to make a report, the lower your chances are of recovering the car. The police report is proof that the vehicle is missing and that it is not your fault.
Although depending on your state, you may have the option of filing a police report online or over the phone. The vehicle details are extremely important in situations like these. It will be helpful to the police if you include the following about your car:
- Make and model
- Vehicle year
- Color
- Vehicle identification number
- Distinctive features (dents, decals, etc.)
- License plate number
- Condition of vehicle
After completing the police report for your stolen car, make sure to ask for a personal copy for your records. Additionally, ask for the police officer’s name so that you can refer to it when asking for an update on your case. It can also be helpful to get the names and numbers of any witnesses to the incident (if any). You never know if you will need them in court one day.
File an Insurance Claim if Your Car is Stolen with a Title Loan
Once you have filed a police report about your stolen vehicle with a title loan, the next step would be to contact your insurance company and report the theft.
Depending on your insurance coverage, you could get financial assistance to cover the stolen car. If you don’t have comprehensive insurance, you should still contact your insurance agent about the stolen car and make sure they are aware of the incident.
You should have the following information ready to provide to an insurance agent during the call:
- Car details and description (make, model, condition, etc.)
- Contact information of your leasing company
- Location of all the car keys
- List of personal items in the stolen car
You should also inform the insurance company that your vehicle has an auto title loan on it. They may ask to see the car title, which is likely in the hands of the lender.
What Happens Next After Your Car is Stolen with a Title Loan?
After you have filed a police report and talked to your car insurance agent, it’s time to contact your title loan company. By this step, you should have a police report number and insurance policy claim number. You could potentially get a check directly from your car insurance company for the value of your car. You could then use this money to help cover the cost of the remaining title loan amount.
Although if you inform the car insurance agent about your title loan when you claim your stolen car, they may issue the check directly to the lienholder. This can be very convenient, as it removes any work on your end.
If the value of your car is not enough, it may not cover the entirety of the remaining title loan amount, but it may lessen the financial burden of repayment.
How to Protect Your Car in the Future from Getting Stolen
Unfortunately, getting your car stolen is sadly a common occurrence for many vehicle owners. To help prevent your car from getting stolen in the future, you could:
- Lock Your Doors
- Do Not Leave a Spare Key Near Your Vehicle
- Remove Your Keys from the Vehicle
- Close the Windows
- Install a Tracking System
- Park in Well-Lit Areas
While auto theft is not as common as it once was, it is unfortunately still something you need to protect yourself against. It is important to take precautions. If this happens, Max Cash® Title Loans is happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Rest assured we are on your side and want to make sure you get the help you are looking for during this difficult time!