You grab your car keys and your other belongings and walk outside. But the spot where you parked the car yesterday is empty. Huh? Where's my car? Stolen? Towed away?
Police report
In most cases, you will only discover your car has been stolen once the thief has made their getaway. In that event, report it to the police immediately. And make sure you have your registration document to hand. The police will make a note in the RDW's registration register that your car has been stolen. You will no longer have to pay motor vehicle tax or insurance premiums. You will also no longer be liable for any damage the thief causes to others with your car. When taking your report, the police will ask for, among other things:
- Make, model and registration number
- Place where the car was stolen
- Car's current value
- Mileage
- Car features
- Serial numbers etc. of items in the car (car radio, phone, etc.)
If your car has been stolen abroad, report it to the foreign police immediately. With this police report, you can file a report once you are back in the Netherlands. This is necessary because only the Dutch police will inform the RDW that your car has been stolen.
Report to your insurance
Theft of your car isn't always covered by your car insurance. A third-party liability insurance only covers damage you cause to someone else with your car, so not theft. With third-party liability with limited comprehensive cover and fully comprehensive cover, theft is covered.
You must always report a theft to your insurer (even if you only have third-party liability insurance). The insurer can then suspend your car insurance, which means temporarily stopping it. You will not pay for your car insurance for the period of the theft. The insurer can deregister your car's registration number with the RDW and suspend your car insurance. You will not pay for your car insurance. If the theft is covered, your insurer will ask you for a completed claim form and proof of reporting to the police.
30 days' notice
Insurers do not immediately deal with the theft of your car. They observe a waiting period of 30 days. If your car is found within these 30 days, the insurer will reimburse any damage to your car.
If your car hasn't been found after 30 days, your insurer will pay you the amount. If your car is found after 30 days, you'll get your car back. You will of course have to repay the amount of the claim to the insurer.
Replacement car
If theft is covered by your car insurance, your insurer will usually also reimburse the costs you incur for a replacement car. This often applies for a maximum period of 30 days. You can find this information in your insurance policy's terms and conditions.
How much will I get back from the insurance?
That depends on the terms of your car insurance. With a new-for-old policy (only for new cars), you will receive the amount your car costs new today. Often a new-for-old policy only applies for the first year of your insurance. A purchase price policy reimburses the purchase price of a second-hand car. If you have an equivalent car policy, you will get enough money back from the insurer to buy an equivalent car.
If you don't have special cover, the insurer will pay out the current value. This is the value your car had at the time of the theft. The current value may be less than your car's market value, meaning you won't be able to buy an equivalent car with the payout.
