If your car is stolen and determined to be a total loss due to this, it would be the comprehensive portion of your policy that would pay out on your claim for your vehicle.

The claims adjuster would determine the actual cash value (ACV) of your vehicle before it was stolen as your settlement amount for the stolen car. The amount you still have financed is not taken into consideration nor will it be that amount paid to you (and the lien holder), it is instead the ACV that will be offered to you as compensation for the stolen car.

The ACV is calculated by various means which can differ depending upon an insurance company's guidelines. It may include input from local auto dealers, private parties or recent sales which the adjusters use in their valuation. Condition, equipment and mileage differences are taken into consideration.

In addition, your insurance company may use a computerized evaluation process to assist them in determining the value of your vehicle. Third party software supplies insurers with software and a database that helps determine the value of a vehicle based upon automating the claims process.

If you have GAP insurance it would pay the difference between the actual cash value settlement you receive from your comprehensive coverage claim and the balance due on your vehicle with your financial institute. GAP insurance helps drivers by paying off the balance of the loan or lease so that you do not still have to make payments on a car that you no longer have due to it being stolen or found to be a total loss in an accident.