Has the vehicle definitely been stolen?

This may sound a little obvious, but there may be another explanation as to why the vehicle isn’t where you might expect it to be. Ask yourself the following questions:

Could someone else be using the vehicle?

If anyone else at the company uses the vehicle or has access to keys, try to find out if they’ve taken or moved it. Ask other colleagues or anyone in the area who might have information about the vehicle’s whereabouts. Is there CCTV on the premises?

Was it illegally parked?

If so - it may have been impounded. Call 101 to get in touch with your local police station who’ll be able to help.

Did you definitely park where you thought you had?

It's easy to sometimes misremember exactly where you left a vehicle. Retrace your steps to double-check it’s not where it’s supposed to be.

By asking yourself these questions, you can avoid unnecessary stress and wasted time if the vehicle was simply misplaced.

How to report a stolen vehicle

If you've established that a theft has taken place, you should report it to the local authorities by calling the non-emergency police on 101. They'll ask for key details about the vehicle, including its make, model, colour, and registration plate. They'll also need information such as the company the vehicle belongs to, where it was taken from and, if possible, an approximate time (or timeframe) in which it was stolen.

Try to have all of this information readily available when you call to help speed up the process. The sooner the theft is logged, the sooner it can be investigated, and the greater the chances are of the vehicle being recovered.

Check your company policy

Your company may have a specific vehicle theft procedure in place, so be sure to report the theft to your supervisor, fleet manager or a designated contact within the business.

How to find a stolen vehicle

A vehicle tracking system - particularly one with stolen vehicle recovery capabilities - can be immensely helpful in locating a stolen vehicle. If your vehicle has one of these systems installed, you can quickly and easily obtain real-time and historical location data to help with these efforts. However, as tempting as it may be, you should avoid any attempts to locate or confront the culprits yourself. This can jeopardise the police investigation and put your safety at risk.

The good news is, stolen vehicles with these systems installed have promising recovery rates. Radius’ Investigations Unit has a success rate of 98% for recovering cars and vans and has recovered over £25 million of assets in the last five years.

Systems such as these can not only improve the chances of recovery, but can also prevent theft in the first place. In fact, a recent study by Thatcham Research found that cars fitted with Thatcham-approved trackers, such as Neon, are five times less likely to be stolen than cars without them.

Contact your insurance provider

Regardless of whether or not you have a tracker system installed, if your vehicle has been stolen, it's important to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. Let them know the police report number, if you have one, as well as any other relevant information (e.g., vehicle registration plate, insurance policy details and a description of the incident).

Does insurance cover stolen vehicles?

If the vehicle hasn’t been recovered after 30 days, you should contact your insurance company to discuss the potential for a payout. Company vehicles typically have commercial insurance policies, so the coverage options and claim procedures will likely be different from personal vehicle insurance. Review your company's policy carefully and consult with your employer and insurance provider for specific guidance.

What is the best fleet insurance for theft prevention?

Third-party, fire, and theft and fully comprehensive insurance options offer the strongest protection against vehicle theft for fleets. Here at Radius, we have a panel of 120 insurers, allowing us to provide you with tailored quotes suitable for your specific company’s needs. To find out more, head over to our dedicated motor fleet insurance page or request a quote today.

Inform the DVLA

If the stolen company vehicle is unrecoverable or deemed unusable, you must inform the DVLA. This will allow them to cancel the vehicle’s tax, and may potentially qualify your business for a tax refund. To do this, head over to the government website to request and complete the designated V33 form. Be sure to include the police crime reference number for processing.

What types of vehicles can trackers protect?

Stolen vehicle tracking systems are suitable for all types of companies, whether you’re a sole trader with just one company car, or the manager of an entire fleet of trucks, vans, cars or buses.

While asset tracking is a great option for trailers, construction equipment, shipping containers and other valuable machinery, with Radius having recovered assets such as these worth over £25 million in the last 5 years alone.

How to protect your fleet from theft

We hope these tips have been useful in providing you with an overview of what to do when a company vehicle is stolen and how to find your stolen vehicle. With 1 in 10 stolen vehicles in the UK being company-owned, it's crucial to know what to do in case the worst does happen. However, by implementing proactive security measures, such as vehicle tracking, and ensuring appropriate insurance coverage, you can minimise the impact of a theft on your business’ operations and finances.

To find out more about how Radius can help protect your company vehicles, get in touch with a member of our friendly team today.