My car was stolen last night. My insurance company is USAA. When your car is stolen, how long does it take to get money for a comprehensive insurance claim? What if they pay me and my car is then recovered?

Dear Sam,

John Walmsley, a spokesperson for USAA, says that when a policyholder files a claim after his or her vehicle is stolen, it usually takes 30 days for the policyholder to receive money for the vehicle. If it is a "suspicious theft," meaning the company suspects that fraud is involved and a closer investigation is warranted, the policyholder may wait 60 days, or more.

Walmsley says that if a claim is paid and the vehicle is recovered, USAA will keep the vehicle and sell it at auction. However, there are rare cases in which the policyholder would give the money back from the claim in exchange for the vehicle, particularly if the vehicle is in good condition. This is done on a case-by-case basis, and USAA would ultimately decide whether the policyholder would receive the vehicle.

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