Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your vehicle is broken into and the keys still inside, you will be required to submit an insurance claim under comprehensive coverage. The amount of deductible is contingent on the amount and type of policy.
However, you should take precautions to prevent having your car stolen in the first place. Here are some tips:
Preventive measures to take
A vehicle is among the biggest investments you'll ever make. It is advisable to take all available precautions to protect it. Preventive measures can reduce the chance of theft and increase the chances that you return your vehicle if it is stolen with the keys inside.
Installing an anti-theft system that incorporates GPS tracking is among the best methods to ensure the safety of your vehicle. These systems integrate GPS and wireless technology to enable you to monitor your vehicle. The technology alerts police or monitoring services whenever the vehicle moves. They also have the ability to locate a missing or damaged vehicle, which can be helpful in recovering it.
Even if you're just going to be away for a few moments closing the doors and opening the windows is a good measure. In the U.S., tens of thousands of vehicles are stolen each year because owners leave their vehicles unlocked and keys in the ignition. Unlocked vehicles can be opened by a skilled thief, even if the window is only rolled one inch or two inches.
Parking in secured parking garages and parking spaces is a great way to deter thieves, as these facilities are often guarded and have security personnel. Avoid areas with a lot of privacy and that have poor lighting, as these are more likely to attract thieves.
In addition to installing an anti-theft device it is also possible to discourage thieves by using visible theft deterrents, like a steering lock or alarm decals. These devices will make a potential thief reconsider entering your vehicle and will require removing or bypassing the device.
Keep electronics and valuables hidden as possible in your car. Items like mobile phone chargers as well as navigation equipment and electronic cords should be kept out of sight or stored in the trunk. It is also a good idea to record the serial numbers of expensive equipment or accessories in the event that they are stolen. You can then provide this information to the police as well as your insurance company if they ever recover them.
Notifying the police
Every 32 seconds a car is stolen, and theft of vehicles is a major expense, costing Americans around $8 billion annually. The problem is becoming more severe. In many cases keys are left in cars when they are stolen. This can happen if you leave your car on to warm it up, or even if you visit the store for a short time. There are ways to avoid this happening, such as removing important items from your vehicle or making sure they are locked out of view.
It's also essential to notify the police as soon as your vehicle is taken. This will give the police a better chance of catching the criminal and return your vehicle. Additionally, it will ensure that your vehicle is enrolled into the state and national databases for auto theft that can help avoid future title issues or ownership issues.
You should also call your insurance company. You can ask them whether your policy covers thefts of vehicles with keys in the ignition. In the majority of instances, the insurance company will reimburse you for the loss if you have comprehensive coverage. If you don't have this coverage switching to a different insurance company may be worth it.
When you file a claim for a vehicle that was stolen with keys in the ignition, it's important to act fast. If you wait too much the insurance company may deny your claim. They might also ask the reason you put the keys of your car inside. They believe that you did not take "reasonable care" of your property.
You should be aware that documents such as your registration or insurance card can lead to identity theft. Some people even keep paychecks or receipts in their cars which could result in fraudulent transactions. If this is the case, alert your financial institutions and be sure to monitor your accounts in detail. If your car is found you must also inform the police and your insurance company to allow them to investigate the theft and prosecute the perpetrator.
Notifying your insurance company
Many people let their vehicle running while they hurry out of the house to go to the store or gas station. This can cause your car to be stolen. This is why you must never leave your car in a parking lot when you're not driving it. To avoid this, secure your vehicle's doors when you're not in the car.
You'll need to inform your insurance company right away if you leave your car without keys and leave it unattended. You may be asked to provide details about the incident including the location where the vehicle was left and when it was stolen. This will help police find your car and may even recover it.
Certain car insurance companies have online platforms where you can file an insurance claim, however it's best to call and speak to an agent. This will allow you to provide more specific details about the incident, and reduce the amount of back and forth that can delay your claim. Your agent might ask for an official copy of the police report as well as the list of valuables that are get more info in your vehicle. This will aid the police with their investigation and help them determine if you are covered under your comprehensive insurance.
You should also inform your leasing company or finance firm if you have a financed or lease vehicle. This will stop them from trying to repossess your vehicle or claim it. If your car is recovered and is damaged the comprehensive section of your insurance will cover the cost of fixing it.
If you decide to file a claim on your car and it is not refunded, the settlement can take up to thirty days. Make sure to check your policy to determine whether you have rental reimbursement coverage to cover the cost of 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 analyzed the insurance market for over five years and is frequently quoted in national media.
Inspection of your vehicle
The first thing you must do when a vehicle is stolen with the keys inside is to verify that it was actually stolen. You can do this by calling the number of the police department that is non-emergency in your area.
If you do you must send them the following information:
The Vehicle Identification Number is usually found in the driver's door or close to the windshield. The seven digits in the last seven of the VIN are also engraved onto the mirrors and headlights in order to make it harder for anyone who tries to change the identity of the vehicle.
It is useful to note any distinctive characteristics of your vehicle. It is helpful to describe any personal items found in the vehicle at the time of theft.
Your Insurance Coverage - If you have Comprehensive or specified Perils coverage, it will likely cover the theft of your vehicle regardless of whether or not you put your keys in it. However, if you're covered with liability only insurance, this may not be the case.
Many people make the mistake of leaving their vehicles running with the ignition on while they run errands or getting ready to leave for work in the morning. This is a recipe for disaster because it only takes a shrewd criminal only a few seconds to jump in your vehicle and leave.
Saturday is the most popular day to steal a car that has keys in the ignition, followed by Friday and Monday. With Colorado being 1st in the nation for car thefts and a vehicle that is puffing can be an inviting target for opportunistic criminals.
It is generally cheaper to buy a new set of keys rather than submit 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 dollars. This is less expensive than paying your deductible, and you'll avoid dealing with the insurance company in future.