If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have comprehensive insurance your vehicle will be covered even if the keys are not in the car. The insurance company will investigate the incident to determine if it was your fault.
The best thing to do is make a claim as soon as you are aware that your vehicle was stolen. Your insurance claim will be denied if you wait.
1. Don't Panic
If your car has been taken with keys inside the most important thing is to remain calm and not make a mistake that will only compound the situation. The first thing you need to do is call the police. After that provide them with as much information as possible about the vehicle, including the model, make and license plate number. You will also want to inform them if you had any valuables in the vehicle, such as laptops, a work ID badge, or other personal items.
The police can provide you with the most precise information regarding your stolen vehicle and what they intend to do next. They may be able locate your vehicle and catch the thieves.
Many people forget to close their windows or lock their vehicles especially when they are in a hurry or have children. While it might appear like a foolish error to make, it is very simple to make and usually results in tragic consequences. In these instances, thieves will just climb into the driver's seat like they were the owner and drive away. If nobody around them knows they aren't the owners the vehicle can travel for a long distance before being stopped by a policeman.
A common mistake is to leave an ignition key on your person. This is extremely risky, as it makes the vehicle easier to start and run away with. People often do this when they enter to buy something or leave their vehicle running for a short time while they visit a store. Other common mistakes include running the car as it is warming up, or rushing to a gas station in order to pay for fuel.
It is crucial to keep in mind these mistakes and take proactive steps to avoid them from happening again. There are many methods to accomplish this starting with installing an alarm system to parking in well-lit areas. Additionally, some automakers have security features that discourage thieves or stop them from starting the car. These vary from a simple audible alarm to more sophisticated devices that make use of GPS technology to track the vehicle.
2. Call the Police
As an owner of a vehicle, it is your duty to report any attempted or actual theft. The police department will be in a position to assist you by providing you with information on the actions you need to take next and may even offer advice around protecting your vehicle in the future, like installing an electronic lock on your wheel. They can also provide you with a crime reference number that could assist you in contacting your insurance company.
It is essential to provide as much information as you can when submitting a report of the theft of a vehicle. Ensure that all of the details provided to police and your insurance company are identical. This increases the chance of your car being returned or retrieved.
You should be prepared to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) along with the license plate number as well as the year, make, and model of your vehicle, as well any other distinctive features. Include any information regarding your vehicle's GPS tracking device, or other security features that prevent theft.
Another aspect important is the presence of any personal items in the vehicle at the time that the theft occurred. This could include an item like a purse, wallet or any other item that may contain personal information. It's recommended to notify banks, credit card companies and any other entities that could be involved in the event of a stolen item being found in your vehicle.
If your personal property is stolen, be in touch with your homeowners' or renters insurance. This is because these items are usually covered under the personal property section of these policies, whereas auto insurance covers only the damage to your vehicle.
While there's no way to completely stop a car theft, you can reduce the likelihood of this occurring by removing all valuables from your vehicle, locking your doors and rolling up your windows at all times. It's also important to always keep a spare set keys somewhere else than your vehicle. Also, you should review your insurance policy every year to ensure that you have sufficient coverage.
If you have comprehensive coverage your insurance provider will pay for the loss of your car with the exception of any deductible applicable. Liability insurance doesn't cover car thefts therefore, make sure you have a comprehensive insurance policy before lending your vehicle to anyone.
3. Don't Try to Search for Your Vehicle Alone
You are required as an owner of a vehicle to safeguard your vehicle. It is crucial to secure your vehicle even when you are not there. It is also important that you lock your vehicle each when you leave it and to roll up the windows completely. It's also a good idea to keep your keys in your check here car, or in any other location that might be accessible to criminals.
In reality one of the most frequent reasons people have their cars taken away with keys in it is because they have left a spare key in or close to the vehicle. It is a simple mistake that can have serious consequences especially in these days of high-risk crime.
Modern thieves are moving past the hotwiring techniques you've seen in action movies and are using more sophisticated tactics to steal vehicles. This includes something called a relay attack that is when two thieves utilize an electronic device to detect the signal from the owner's key fob and then unlock the vehicle and drive it away.
The good news is that police are beginning to get more effective technology to catch thieves who try to steal vehicles with their keys in them. For instance, some companies are now offering to install a tracking system on your vehicle that will report its location to police. This will help to decrease the number of thefts and increase their chances of being found.
You may also want to install an immobilizer to prevent your car from being started. This will make it much more difficult for criminals to steal your vehicle, and you can tell whether a burglar has attempted to start it by contacting the police and by identifying yourself.
It is not advisable to search for your own vehicle when you decide to track it down. This could result in more damage, and even the theft of personal items from your vehicle. Instead, you should contact your insurance company as quickly as you can and inform them that your car was stolen with keys in it. You should also inform them of any personal possessions that were in the vehicle at the time of theft, such as mail, a purse or wallet containing your credit cards or cash an office badge or other forms of identification and any medication or medical supplies that were inside the vehicle.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have comprehensive auto insurance (which covers a range of incidents including theft) You should contact your insurance company as soon as possible to make claims. This will assist them in getting started with the investigation and make sure that you are covered in the event of your car is stolen or damaged.
You will want to give your insurance company all the information you are able to keep about your vehicle including: the year the model, make and year and the license plate number; the VIN (vehicle identification number) and where you last observed it. It is also possible to provide information about the date and time of the theft, as well as whether it was snowing or rained. If you're not sure about any of these facts you can contact the police to verify the documents.
In some instances it might be required to report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles as well. This will stop the thief from using your vehicle to break the law or damage another property.
You will require the police report to hand when you call your insurance company to start the investigation. You should also be prepared to provide any additional information requested by your insurance company.
You may be able to claim any personal items you have stolen from your car through your homeowners ' or renters insurance, based on where you live. In addition, you must notify your leasing or finance company to inform them that the vehicle was reported stolen.
Although this is a difficult situation to be in, it is crucial to remain at peace and act swiftly. These tips will help you do this, and hopefully will result in your car returning safe and sound to you. If you have to file a claim for a stolen car 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.