
The Cost of Theft
October 29, 2025Article | Stolen Vehicle – Your Next Steps…
Written by: Chris Knowles, Technical Director

What do I do if my vehicle is stolen?
The realisation that your vehicle has been stolen is annoying and at best, expensive.
Let’s examine the steps that you should take next
Step 1: Call the police – report the theft
- Dial 101 (non-emergency) and report the vehicle as stolen.
 - You’ll need to provide:
- Vehicle make, model, registration, colour and VIN
 - Time and place last seen
 - Any distinguishing features
 
 - Get a crime reference number. This is essential for DVLA and insurance
 
Step 2: Contact your insurance provider
- Call your insurer as soon as possible and report the theft
 - Give them:
- Crime reference number
 - Full vehicle details
 - Policy number
 
 - Ask whether you’re entitle to:
- Courtesy car
 - Reimbursement for taxi/rental costs
 - Theft payout
 
 
Step 3: Report to the DVLA
You don’t need to do this immediately — usually your insurer handles it if the car is not recovered and written off.
But if you recover the vehicle later or it’s written off, you may need to:
- Complete form V62 if you’ve lost your logbook
 - Inform DVLA that the vehicle is no longer yours if it’s written off
Website: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration 
Step 4: Contact your finance company (if applicable)
If the vehicle is financed (HP, PCP, lease), tell the lender:
- They still legally own the vehicle
 - They may coordinate with the insurer
 - You may still owe them money depending on insurance payout vs. loan balance
 
How can I make this a whole lot easier?
Use Pay as you Track Recover. Our solution is designed specifically to make vehicle recovery a piece of cake. Recover is not just GPS Tracking, it is GPS Tracking and more…
That is why we recommend the Pay as you Track Recover solution. We designed this solution specifically to make sure you can get your vehicle back in the event of a a theft.
Talk to Pay as you Track on 0151 914 5500 to discuss our solution or contact us at [email protected]
Ready to take your fleet to the next level?
