If Your Car Was Stolen With Keys Inside, Follow the Police Process
As we approach "Puffing season" with the cold winter weather driving cars while keys are inside is a popular theft tactic. If your car is taken with keys inside, you must always file a police report right away.
Insurance policies vary, but comprehensive coverage generally will cover cars even if you keep the keys inside. However, personal items are often covered by homeowners or renters insurance, not car insurance.
Theft
Many car thieves will simply attack a vehicle with keys inside. It's a simple strategy that is effective. A driver gets distracted and their car is gone next thing they know. This is a cycle that needs to be broken and the most effective way to do that is to make sure you keep your keys with you when you leave your car, regardless of where you park.
Every 32 seconds, a vehicle is taken away. The US loses $8 billion in vehicle thefts every year. It's important to never leave your keys in your car without being checked particularly when you live in a high-crime area.
Thieves have become incredibly clever when it comes to stealing vehicles that have key fobs inside them, making it even more important to be extra careful. The thieves could employ relay attacks, signal jamming or other techniques to hack into a vehicle's system and reprogram a key fob. They can also use an "slim jim", a tool that is inserted into the cavity of a door at the base window, to alter the internal locking mechanisms or links.
Another option is hotwiring, which involves taking out a vehicle's ignition cable and using an electric current to start the engine. It's a common practice for young teens that do not have full-time jobs and are looking to make money quickly However, it also allows criminals to use stolen cars to carry out joyriding or other criminal acts.
Dealerships can safeguard themselves by utilizing vehicles tracking systems and performing regular audits of their key inventory and vehicle records to identify any discrepancies or potential breaches in security. They should also urge drivers to use a signal blocking pouch or Faraday box when they store their keys, as they can prevent relay attacks and other forms of hacks.
If you leave the car running while you have the keys inside with the ignition turned on, your insurance provider will likely to cover the loss If you have Comprehensive coverage. However, your insurer may conduct a credit check or other checks to verify that the claim is legitimate before paying you.
Damage
It's almost like asking for your vehicle to be stolen if you leave it running or unlocked while the keys are inside. An opportunistic car thief can leave in a matter of seconds. Luckily, your insurance provider may be able to cover the theft, when you have a comprehensive insurance policy. However certain policies exclude cars that are left with keys inside from being covered. If you're worried that your policy won't cover this, it could be worth switching auto insurance providers.
Certain states have laws that define the liability of a car owner for theft when keys are inside. The rules differ from state to state, so it is important to know them. In most cases, if an accident occurs while the thief is driving, the car owner is not liable. The thief is not covered by insurance. The owner of the vehicle is not liable for items stolen from their vehicle since they are covered by renters insurance or homeowners insurance' insurance.
Reporting the car theft immediately to your insurance provider and to the police is essential. This will help the process get moving faster and may increase your chances of recovering your property. It is important to be aware that multiple claims may impact your insurance rates. Make sure you discuss this with your insurance representative to determine the impact on your policy in the near future.
The best way to stop the car being taken with keys inside is to lock it and close the windows every time you leave your vehicle. A spare key should be kept in a secure location, not in the car. If you must leave the vehicle running, make sure you put it in park and turn off the ignition prior to your leave.
In addition to avoiding the possibility of your car being taken away with keys inside, you must be aware not to leave valuables in your car such as laptops or MP3 players. If you have nonpermanent additions to your vehicle, like an USB player plugged into an accessory port, you may be eligible to make a separate claim for these items.
Insurance
A car is stolen every 32 seconds, and car theft cost Americans more than $8 billion every year. Luckily, the majority of vehicles are covered by insurance policies if they are stolen. However there are some circumstances where your policy will not pay to replace or repair your car. If you leave your keys in your car and they are taken away, this is one of them. This is not a typical situation, but does occur.
The answer to whether your car will be covered in this situation will depend on the type of policy you have. Most policies that cover comprehensive coverage will cover the car even if the vehicle is stolen and the keys are inside. However, the amount your insurance company will pay is dependent on the limits of your policy and the deductible.
If you have only liability insurance, your vehicle is more likely to be stolen if you leave keys inside the car. However, you will only receive compensation up to a maximum of about $10,000. If you have comprehensive insurance on your car, you can make a claim to recover the full value of the vehicle and everything in it (minus the deductible).
A major car was stolen with keys inside concern is that insurance companies could view leaving the key in your vehicle as negligence. Many insurers require their customers to take reasonable care of their vehicles, which includes that they are secured when they are not being used and not left running. Additionally, if you live in a region where there are frequent reports of thefts of cars the insurer could increase your cost.
There are other ways to secure your car from theft, by installing an anti-theft system or other safety features. You can also determine whether you have insurance on your property in place. Insurance policies for homeowners and renters typically cover personal property, including your belongings in the event they are lost or stolen in or off your premises. You can save money and time by filing both claims at the same time when you have a home and auto insurance bundle.
Recovery
The best way to ensure that your vehicle is found after it was taken with keys inside is to follow the police procedure. Report the theft to your local police department. Be sure to provide them all the information they require about your car including the VIN license plate the year, model, make, location, and any distinctive characteristics.
Once the police have filed a formal report, they will start searching for your vehicle. The police will employ a variety of methods to locate your vehicle, including interviewing witnesses, analyzing physical evidence, and reviewing surveillance footage. During this period, it's vital to remain patient and to continue to be in contact with the police for updates.
If your vehicle is rescued in the event of a collision, it could need to be inspected by an insurance claims adjuster to assess its condition. If it's found to be in drivable condition and the damage was done in a manner that was not your control the amount you are paid for it under your comprehensive insurance. The amount you will receive will depend on the market value of your car as well as the deductible of your auto insurance policy and any additional insurance that you may have, like renters or homeowners.
Notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state about the vehicle that was stolen is a second procedure that could differ based on the advice of the police or insurance company recommends. This will be added to a database of stolen vehicles, making it more difficult for criminals to sell or illegally register a stolen vehicle in the future.
Contact your bank to stop the freezing of any credit or debit card found in your stolen vehicle. This will prevent identity theft and fraudulent charges. If you have homeowners or renters insurance, it's also recommended to notify your insurance company, as things inside your vehicle are typically covered under those policies. You may be able to combine your claims from both policies in some instances to receive a greater payout for your stolen goods.