Auto Insurance Claims: does the insurance company own my car if it is stolen and recovered?, auto theft, auto insurance

Question
our car was stolen today.  after finally being able to make a report to the sheriff i called and reported it to the insurance company.  my husband was upset that i did so right away because he thinks that they now control the vehicle if it is found and that the police won't even inform us if it is found, but call the insurance company. I don't think that is true at all.  is there any truth to this?  Should I be worried now?  He is attached to the car and would want it back if at all possible.

Answer
The insurance company would only be retaining recovered salvage if at least 30 days have gone by, they had settled and then the car turned up later.

They would like the car to be recovered as much as your husband does and in most cases, the cars turn up within 10 days.  Most are taken for either joy rides or to commit another crime.  If it is repairable, then they will pay the fair cost of repair and you'll have your car back.  If it is damaged beyond the total loss threshold then it may have to be totaled.  Most are repairable but if it has been stripped, it will likely be a total.

You did the right thing by reporting it right away as failing to do so raises red flags and suspicion of insurance fraud.

Good luck!