If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have adequate coverage the insurance company will cover your stolen vehicle even if you forgot keys inside the car. The insurance company will investigate the incident to determine whether it was at fault.
It is recommended to make a claim as soon as you can after you discover that the vehicle is missing. Any delay could result in your insurance claim being rejected or being even being subject to fraud investigations.
1. Don't panic!
If your car has been taken with keys inside the most important thing is to remain calm and avoid make a poor decision that will only compound the situation. The first thing to do is call the police. Once you do give them the most complete information you can about the vehicle, such as the model, make and license plate number. You should also let them know whether there were any valuables in your vehicle, like a laptop, a badge from your job, or other personal items.
The police can provide you with the most accurate information regarding your vehicle stolen, and what they plan to do next. They may be able locate your vehicle or catch the thieves.
Many people forget to close their windows or lock their vehicles especially when they are in a hurry or have children with. It may sound silly however it's actually quite easy to do and can lead to tragic consequences. In these instances, thieves will simply climb into the driver's seat and drive off as if it was their own vehicle. If nobody around them knows it isn't the owner, they can travel a considerable distance before being arrested by a police officer.
Another common error that is easily made is to put keys in the ignition or leaving a spare key buried on your property or in your personal possessions. This can be extremely dangerous and makes the vehicle easier to start and run away with. Many people do this when they go inside to grab something or leave their vehicle running for a few minutes while they go in a shop. Other mistakes that are common include leaving the car running while it is heating up or running into a gas station to pay for fuel.
Keep these mistakes in mind it is vital to take proactive measures to prevent them from happening in the future. This can be done in a number of ways, from installing an alert system to parking in well-lit areas. Certain automakers also offer security features that deter thieves and keep them from starting their vehicle. These can be anything from a simple, alarm that is audible to more sophisticated devices that make use of GPS technology to track the vehicle.
2. Contact the police
As the owner of your vehicle, it's your duty to report any attempted or actual theft. The police department is in a position to assist you by providing you with information on the steps you should take next. They could also offer advice around protecting your vehicle in the future, such as installing the wheel lock. They will also provide you with an identification number for the crime, which can assist you in making contact with your insurance company.
It's important to provide as much detail as you can when reporting a vehicle that has been stolen. Make sure that all the information provided to the police and your insurance company are the same. This helps to increase the likelihood that your car is returned or recovered.
The type of information you must be prepared to provide includes your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number as well as the year, year, model and model and any other distinctive features. Include any information regarding your vehicle's GPS tracking device, or any other anti-theft technology.
Another piece of crucial information is any personal belongings that were in the vehicle at the time of theft. It could be your wallet, purse, or any other object that holds personal information. It's important to notify the credit card companies, your bank, and any other organization that may be involved if an item is stolen from your car.
You should also contact your homeowners or renters insurance in the event that any of your personal possessions were taken. This is because this kind of possession is typically covered under the personal property section of these policies. However, auto insurance only covers damage to your vehicle.
There is no way to stop an auto burglary, but you can lower the risk by taking your valuables out of your car, locking the doors, and closing the windows at all times. It's also essential to keep a spare set keys in a different location than your vehicle and to review your insurance policy each year to ensure you have adequate coverage.
If you have comprehensive insurance, the insurance company will cover the damage or loss to your vehicle, minus any applicable deductible. Liability insurance will not cover theft of cars so make sure you have comprehensive coverage prior to lending your car to anyone.
3. Do not attempt to look for your vehicle alone
As a car owner to protect your vehicle. It is essential to ensure that your vehicle is here secured even if you're not there. It is essential to secure your vehicle each time you leave and to roll the windows fully up. Also, it's best to not leave your spare keys in the car, or anywhere else that could be a target for criminals.
In reality one of the main reasons that people have their vehicles stolen with keys in it is that they left an extra key in or close to the vehicle. This is a simple error that can cause serious harm, especially in the present day.
Modern thieves are moving beyond the hotwiring techniques you may have seen in action films and are using more advanced methods to rob cars. This is what's known as a relay attack that is when two thieves utilize an electronic device to record the signal from the owner's key fob. They then unlock the car and drive it away.
The good news is the police are beginning to use more efficient technology to track down thieves that try to steal cars with keys inside. Some companies offer to put the device of tracking on your vehicle that will send the exact location of your vehicle to the police. This could reduce the likelihood and frequency of thefts.
You may also want to install an immobilizer to keep your car from getting started. This will make it harder for thieves to take your vehicle. You may also determine who attempted to start the car by calling the police.
If you do decide to locate the vehicle you lost it is not advisable to find it yourself. This can cause more damage and could lead to the theft of other items in your vehicle, including your personal belongings. Instead, you should call your insurance company as quickly as you can and inform them that your car has been stolen and keys were inside. You should also inform them of any personal possessions that were in the vehicle at the time of theft, like mail or a wallet containing your cash or credit cards, an office badge or other forms of identification and any medication or other medical supplies that were inside the vehicle.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have comprehensive car insurance (which covers a range of situations, including theft) You should contact your insurer as soon as you can in order to make a claim. This will enable them to begin investigating and ensure you are covered in case your car is damaged or stolen.
You must provide your insurance with as many details regarding your vehicle as you are able to recall including the year the make, model, and year and the license plate number as well as the VIN (vehicle ID number) and where you saw it last. It is also helpful to provide information on the manner in which the theft occurred, what time of day it was, and whether there was any snow or rain. If you are unsure of any of this information you can request the police to look up their records to find the information you need.
In some cases it may be necessary to inform the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. This will stop the criminal from utilizing your vehicle in any manner that could violate the law or cause damage to another property.
When you call your insurance company, you will require the police report on hand so that they can get started on the investigation. You should also be prepared to provide any additional details that your insurance company may require.
You may be able to claim any personal belongings that were taken from your vehicle through your renters' or homeowners' insurance, depending on where you live. It is also important to inform your finance or leasing company that your vehicle has been reported as stolen.
Although this is a terrible situation to be in, it's important to stay calm and take action quickly. These tips can help you to do this, and hopefully will result in your vehicle being returned in a safe and secure manner to you. If you have to make a claim on the car that was stolen with keys in it the best thing you can do is to work with an independent insurance broker who can assist you in the process and provide you with discounts to make the whole experience as smooth as possible.