Stolen vehicles 
If your vehicle is stolen , report it to the police and your auto insurance company as soon as possible. The police will enter the information into national and state auto theft computer records. The theft will be noted on your vehicle title record to help prevent someone from selling the vehicle or applying for a title. 

How can I report stolen plates? 
Ask the police to complete a' Report of Lost or Stolen Motor Vehicle Items' form MV-78B for your stolen plates. The form is different from the stolen vehicle report , and it's available only from police agencies, not from DMV. Make a copy of the MV-78B report for your records, and bring the original form to a DMV office to surrender your registration. For further information , see Report or Replace Lost or Stolen Plates [1]. 

Do I need a duplicate (replacement) title? 
If your vehicle is not recovered , you may have to transfer ownership to your insurance company using your title certificate. If you have lost your title certificate , you must apply for a duplicate title. See Replace a Title Certificate [2] for more information. A duplicate title issued when a vehicle is stolen is marked to show the vehicle is stolen and that the duplicate title is valid for insurance transfer only. If your vehicle is recovered before you transfer the " insurance transfer only " title to your insurance company , make sure the police have cancelled the stolen vehicle alarm. Then send the title to the Title Bureau along with a letter explaining that your vehicle was recovered, and DMV will issue a regular title. The address for the Title Bureau is Title BureauNYS DMVPO Box 2750Albany , NY 12220 - 0750 

What if my title was not yet issued? 
If the vehicle was stolen before you were able to apply for registration and title in your name , you must first apply for a title in your name in order to transfer ownership to your insurance company. Obtain a letter from the insurance company on their letterhead stating that p

user: Hello, i want know something about stolen vehicles.

assistant: No problem. Have your vehicle been stolen?

user: Yeah, it was stolen about a week ago.

assistant: Sorry about that. In first, and in case you hasn't done it yet, you must report the stolen vehicle to the police and your insurance company asap. With your report, the police will enter your car's information on the national and state auto theft records. Besides, a theft status will be added on your vehicle title record, for preventing any sale or title application.

user: Well, i'm kinda doing something related. By the way, my insurance company has requested me to transfer a insurance transfer only title. Is it okay to do that?

assistant: There shouldn't be any problem with that, unless your vehicle is in fact recovered before you do that transfer. In that occurs, you should continue, but make sure the police cancel the stolen vehicle alarm first. Then, send your title to the Title Bureau with a letter explaining your car has been recovered. You'll get a regular title then.

user: And what about the vehicle isn't recovered?

assistant: In that case scenario, you won't have any more choice that transfer ownership of your car to your insurance company using your title certificate.

user: um, i hope i can recover it then. Ok, other question, lets say i recovered the vehicle, but it was damaged or even worse, it got totaled. What is left to me to do then?

assistant: That's a extreme scenario but if it happens,contact your insurance company, above anything else. They will guide you in any eventuality. During this circumstance, you must'n  apply for any plates.