Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your car has been broken into and the keys still inside, you will have to submit an insurance claim under comprehensive coverage. The deductible will depend on the policy type and the amount.
However, it is important to take precautions to prevent having your vehicle stolen in first place. Here are some tips:
Taking preventive measures
A vehicle is the largest investment you'll ever make. It is essential to take every precaution to protect your vehicle. By taking preventive measures, reduce the chance of theft and increase the chances of regaining your vehicle in the event that it is stolen with keys inside.
One of the best ways to ensure that your vehicle safe is to install an anti-theft device that comes with an GPS tracking device. These systems make use of GPS and wireless technologies to enable you to monitor your vehicle. The technology alerts police or monitoring agencies whenever the vehicle moves. They are also able to locate a missing or damaged vehicle, which can help in recovering it.
Even if you're just going to be gone for a short time locking the doors and opening the windows is an additional security measure. Tens of thousands of vehicles are stolen each year in the U.S. because the owners leave their cars unlocked by leaving keys in the ignition or elsewhere. Unlocked vehicles can be opened by a skilled burglar even if the window is only moved by an inch or two inches.
Parking in secured parking garages and parking spaces is a great way to deter thieves, since these places are often monitored and have security personnel. Avoid secluded areas and those that have poor lighting, as they are more likely to attract thieves.
You can deter thieves in addition to installing an anti-theft system by putting up visible theft deterrents like an alarm lock on the steering wheel or stickers. These will make a would-be thief think twice about trying to break into your car as they'll have to deal with the added difficulty of removing or bypassing the device.
If you have electronics or valuables in your vehicle, you should keep them as hidden as possible. Keep items such as electronic cords, chargers for phones, and navigational equipment away from view, or put them in the trunk. You should also note the serial number of any expensive gadgets or equipment in the event that it is stolen. If they ever are found, you may provide this information to your insurance company as well as the police.
Notifying the police
Every 32 seconds, a car is stolen and theft of vehicles costs Americans approximately $8 billion per year. This problem is getting worse. In many instances keys are thrown away in cars when they are stolen. It can happen when you leave your car running to warm up or if you're just going into the shop for a few minutes. There are ways to stop this from happening, such as taking important items from your vehicle or making sure they are locked out of view.
It's also important to notify the police immediately if your vehicle is taken. This gives the police a better chance to locate the culprit and return your vehicle. Also, it will help ensure that your vehicle is registered into the state and national databases for auto theft that can help avoid future title issues or ownership problems.
Contact your insurance company. They'll be able to determine if your policy covers the theft of a vehicle that has keys in the ignition. If you have comprehensive insurance your insurer will likely pay for the loss. If you don't have this coverage it might be worth looking into switching to a different insurer.
If you are filing a claim for an unintentionally stolen vehicle with keys in the ignition, it is important to act quickly. If you are waiting too long, the insurance company might reject your claim. They may also question you about why you left the keys of your car inside. They will conclude that you have not taken "reasonable" care of your property.
You should be aware that documents like your registration or insurance card can be used to commit identity theft. Some people keep paychecks or receipts in their vehicles, which can lead to fraudulent activity. In this situation you must notify your financial institutions. You should also monitor your accounts carefully. It is also important to inform the police and your insurance company if your car was found to be stolen so that they can investigate and prosecute the suspect.
Notifying your insurance company
Many people leave their cars running while they rush out the door to go to the supermarket or the gas station. Unfortunately, this could result in your car being stolen. This is why you should never leave your vehicle unattended when you're not driving it. The best way to prevent this from happening is to lock your car doors when you're not using it.
You'll need to inform your insurance company right away in the event that you leave your car unattended and the keys inside. You may be asked to provide specifics about the incident including where the vehicle was left and when it was stolen. It's important that you complete this form so that the police can search for your vehicle and hopefully find it.
Certain car insurance companies have online platforms where you can file a claim, but it's best to call and speak to an agent. This will allow you to provide more precise details about the incident, and cut down on the amount of back-and-forth that could delay your claim. Your agent might ask for a copy the police report, as well as an inventory of the valuables in your vehicle. This will help the police with their investigation and help them determine if you are covered under your comprehensive insurance.
It is also important to inform your leasing company or finance company if you have a financed or leasing vehicle. This will stop them from attempting to take possession of your car or claim it for repossession. If your car is discovered damaged your comprehensive insurance will cover the costs of repairing it.
If you decide to file a claim on your car and it is not returned, the settlement can take up to thirty days. Check your policy to see whether you have rental reimbursement coverage to pay for a car rental while you are waiting. Mark Fitzpatrick, MoneyGeek's head of insurance and a licensed property casualty insurer is an expert in the field. He has been analyzing the insurance market for over five years and is regularly quoted in national media.
Inspection of your vehicle
When a car is stolen with keys inside the car, the first thing to ensure is that the vehicle was stolen. You can do this by calling the non-emergency police department's number in your area.
If you do this then you should send them the following details:
The Vehicle Identification Number is usually located in the driver's door or close to the windshield. The number seven is also placed on the headlights and the mirrors, making it more difficult for anyone to change the identity of the vehicle.
It can be useful to note any distinctive characteristics of your vehicle. A description of any personal belongings that were inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen could be useful.
Your Insurance Coverage - If you have Comprehensive or Specified Perils coverage, this will likely cover the theft of your vehicle regardless of whether or not you left your keys in it. If you only have liability insurance, this may not be true.
Many people make the error of leaving their click here vehicles running with the key in the ignition while they run errands or getting ready to leave to work in the morning. This is an ideal situation for disaster since it only takes an opportunistic criminal only a few seconds to jump in your vehicle and leave.
The most common day for car thefts that have keys in the ignition is Saturday, followed by Monday and Friday. With Colorado being the top state in the country for car thefts and a vehicle that is puffing could be a tempting victim for criminals who are looking for opportunities.
It is usually cheaper to buy a new set of keys rather than make an insurance claim for one that was stolen with the key in it. This is true especially in the case of an electronic key fob, or smart key, that can be replaced by your local auto dealer for a few hundred bucks. This is less expensive than your deductible, and you will not have to deal with the insurance company in future.