Vehicle theft is a distressing experience that many people fear. In France, approximately 140,000 motor vehicle thefts occurred in 2024, and only 45% are recovered. As for bicycles, nearly 400,000 two-wheelers disappear each year, with only a 5% chance of recovery. This situation can lead to significant financial losses, complex administrative procedures, and a feeling of insecurity.
So, what should you do if your car is stolen? We detail all the essential steps to report the theft, maximize your chances of recovery, and prevent future incidents.
Discover Invoxia GPS solutions1. Immediately Report the Theft to Authorities #
As soon as you notice your vehicle is missing, act quickly. The faster you react, the more likely you are to recover it.
File a Complaint with the Police or Gendarmerie #
The first thing to do is to go to the nearest police station or gendarmerie to officially report the theft of your vehicle. For this, bring the following documents:
- Registration certificate
- Identity card
- Car insurance contract
- Car key (if available)
If you have photos of your vehicle or a serial number (for a bicycle, for example), this can also be useful. The key is to provide as much information as possible to the police station.
💡 Good to know: if your car was stolen with the keys (burglary, car-jacking), mention it in your report, as it may affect your compensation.
Once the complaint is filed, you will receive a receipt, essential for initiating procedures with your insurance.
2. Report the Theft to Your Insurance Within 24 Hours #
Once the complaint is filed, immediately contact your insurer. Most insurance companies require the theft to be reported within 24 business hours.
What Documents to Provide to Your Insurance? #
To have your case processed, you must send:
✅ The complaint receipt obtained from the authorities
✅ Your car insurance contract
✅ A detailed report of the theft (location, date, circumstances)
✅ The vehicle keys (if available)
What is the Compensation Timeframe? #
After the declaration, your insurance opens an investigation. Generally, a period of 30 days is allowed for the authorities to find your vehicle.
- If the car is found: you can retrieve it after a technical inspection and possible repair coverage.
- If it remains missing: your insurer will compensate you according to the terms of your contract (new value, market value, etc…).
💡 Warning: some insurances may refuse compensation if you neglected certain precautions (car left open, visible keys, lack of anti-theft system).
3. Do You Have a GPS Tracker? Monitor Your Vehicle’s Location and Increase Your Chances of Recovery #
Stolen vehicles are often dismantled for parts or illegally exported. However, if you have equipped your car with a GPS tracker, your chances of recovery increase significantly: the recovery rate for a car goes from barely 45% to over 75%*!
With features such as anti-theft alerts and suspicious movement detection, your GPS tracker allows you in some cases to completely avoid theft. If you can’t scare off the thief, these alerts still allow you to immediately notify law enforcement. And we know how crucial it is to act quickly!
Equip yourself nowThe Invoxia GPS Trackers Theft File: A Valuable Aid for Recovery #
Having a GPS tracker to monitor your car, motorcycle, or bicycle is great, but the authorities must be able to use it to assist in their search. The recovery assistance feature created by Invoxia and available on its entire range of trackers is precisely designed for this!
How Does It Work? #
- Go to your GPS tracker’s settings, in the “Action in case of loss or theft” tab
- Generate your Theft File, a PDF document containing all useful information about your vehicle.
- Submit this file to the authorities: in addition to necessary information like registration or vehicle type, the file contains a QR code giving them access to the live location of your GPS tracker.
📊 Result? Vehicles found in just a few hours thanks to Invoxia GPS trackers.
I was going to the physiotherapist at 11 am, no more vehicle: it had been stolen at 3 am! By 11:15 am I had located the vehicle 31 miles from my home. I called the municipal police who went to check and found the vehicle.
Christian, Invoxia user
4. Report the Theft on Online Platforms #
In addition to official procedures, spread the alert on social networks, which are a powerful tool for finding your vehicle:
- Facebook groups dedicated to stolen vehicles (very responsive local communities)
- Automobile forums (like Auto Plus, Forum Auto, …)
- Used car sales sites (Leboncoin, La Centrale, …) to prevent illegal resale
🚨 Tip: If you spot your car for sale on an ad site, immediately contact the police and never attempt to intervene alone.
5. How to Prevent Future Vehicle Theft? #
Preventing theft is, of course, the best solution. Here are some tips to protect your vehicle:
Adopt Effective Anti-Theft Solutions #
- Use one or more mechanical anti-theft devices (steering wheel lock, pedal lock, handbrake lock, U-lock, …).
- Park your vehicle in a secure location (closed garage, monitored parking, bike box, …).
- Equip yourself with a GPS tracker to monitor your vehicle’s location in case of theft.
Good Habits to Adopt Daily #
- Never leave the keys in the ignition, even for a short time.
- Do not leave valuables visible inside the vehicle.
- Always lock the doors and windows, even during quick stops.
💡 All our tips to protect yourself from theft are available right here > 7 Tips to Avoid Vehicle Theft
Vehicle theft is a stressful situation, but by following these steps, you put all the chances on your side to quickly recover your vehicle.
*Study conducted by Invoxia in October 2024 on over 7,000 respondents.