What to Do in the First 30 Minutes After Your Car is Stolen

The first 30 minutes after your car is stolen are critical. Every minute counts, and knowing exactly what to do can make the difference between recovery and permanent loss.

Here’s a step-by-step guide, and why having police-connected GPS makes it dramatically easier.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Safe

Avoid chasing the thief. Your safety comes first. Instead, focus on gathering details like the time, location, and any witness information.

Step 2: Call 911 Immediately

Report the theft to the police. Provide the make, model, color, VIN, and license plate number.

Step 3: Activate GPS Tracking (If You Have It)

With LoJack’s police-connected GPS, simply open the app and tap the big red “Stolen Vehicle” button. Follow the instructions to connect the police to your live vehicle location in seconds.

Without LoJack, you become the middleman, relaying any information you can find, while precious minutes slip away. With LoJack, you have your own recovery team dedicated to working with police to get your vehicle back.

Step 4: Send Live Location Link to Police

LoJack lets you share a secure, real-time tracking link with the investigating officer, so they can see the car’s movements without delay.

Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Company

The sooner your insurer knows, the smoother the claim process will be, especially if recovery isn’t possible.

Why LoJack Changes the Game:

Without GPS tracking, stolen car reports can take hours to process before officers even begin searching. With police-connected GPS, the search starts in seconds, cutting recovery time to as little as 26 minutes on average.