Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your car is stolen with keys inside, you'll have to make a claim under comprehensive coverage. The amount of deductible is contingent on the amount and the kind of policy.
You must take steps to prevent your car from being taken. Here are some tips:
Preventive measures
A vehicle is among the largest investments you'll ever make. It is advisable to take every precaution to protect it. Preventive measures can lower the likelihood of theft, and increase the chances that you return your vehicle in the event of theft with keys inside.
One of the best ways to keep your vehicle secure is to install an anti-theft system which includes a GPS tracking device. These systems integrate GPS and wireless technology to enable you to keep an eye on your car. The technology alerts the police or a monitoring service when the car is moved. They can also locate vehicles that are damaged or missing, which is helpful in locating it.
Another preventive measure is to lock the doors and roll up the windows of your vehicle when you park it even if you're only away for a short period of time. Tens of thousands of vehicles are taken every year in the U.S. because the owners leave their cars unlocked by leaving their keys in the ignition or somewhere else. A skilled thief is able to open an unlocked vehicle through a window that is only rolled up a few 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 with poor lighting, as they are more likely to attract thieves.
You can discourage thieves by installing an anti-theft device by putting up visible theft deterrents, such as a steering-wheel lock or alarm stickers. These devices can make potential thieves think twice about entering your vehicle in the event that they require removing or bypassing the device.
If you have valuables or electronics in your vehicle, it is best to hide them as much as possible. Items like chargers for mobile phones, navigation equipment, and electronic cords should be kept out of sight or stored in the trunk. It's an excellent idea to record the serial numbers of any expensive equipment or accessories in the event that they are stolen. If they're ever found, you can provide this information to your insurance company as well as the police.
Notifying the police
Every 32 seconds a vehicle is stolen and theft of vehicles is a major expense, costing Americans around $8 billion per year. In a lot of cases, cars are stolen with keys inside, and it's an issue that's becoming more prevalent. This can happen when you leave your car on to warm up, or even if you just visit the store for a short period of time. You can prevent this by taking your valuables out of your car and locking them.
It is also crucial to inform the police immediately if your vehicle is taken. This gives the police a greater chance to catch the criminal and return your vehicle. It will also help to ensure that your car is enrolled in the auto-theft databases of the state and national databases, which could prevent any future title or ownership issues.
It is also advisable to contact your insurance company. They will be able to tell you whether your policy covers theft of a vehicle that has its 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 may be worth considering switching to a different insurance company.
If you file an insurance claim for an unintentionally stolen vehicle with keys in the ignition, it's important to act fast. If you wait too much the insurance company may reject your claim. They might also ask you about why you left the car keys in it. They will claim that you haven't taken "reasonable" care of your property.
You should be aware of the possibility of identity theft if you have documents in your car, like your insurance card or registration. Some people even keep their paychecks or receipts in their car which could result in fraud. If this is the case, alert your financial institutions and be sure to monitor all of your accounts closely. If your car is found, you should also notify the police and your insurance company to allow them to investigate the theft and prosecute the suspect.
Notifying your insurance company
Many people let their vehicle running as they rush out to go to the supermarket or the gas station. Unfortunately, this could result in your car being stolen. It is a bad idea to leave your car unattended when not in use. The best way to prevent this from happening is to lock your vehicle doors whenever you're not in it.
If you do leave your vehicle in the garage unattended with keys inside, you'll need to notify your insurance company as soon as you can. You could be asked to provide specifics about the incident including where the vehicle was left and when it was stolen. This will assist the police find your car and, if they find it, recover it.
You can submit claims online through certain insurance companies, however it is best to speak to an agent. You can provide more information about the incident, and the back-andforth could delay your claim. Your agent may ask for a copy the police report as well as an inventory of the valuables in your vehicle. This will assist the police in their investigation and help determine whether your belongings are covered under your comprehensive coverage.
You should also inform your leasing company or finance firm if you own a loaned or leased vehicle. This will stop them from attempting to take possession or reclaim your car. If your vehicle is discovered with significant damage your comprehensive insurance will cover the cost of repair.
If your vehicle isn't returned and you decide to make an insurance claim, it may take up 30 days to receive an amount. If you don't have a second vehicle to use in the meantime, check your policy to see whether you have rental reimbursement coverage which can help you pay for a rental vehicle while you are waiting. Mark Fitzpatrick is a licensed producer of insurance for property and casualty and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has been analyzing the insurance market since 2005 and is frequently quoted in national media.
Inspecting your vehicle
The first thing you should do if you suspect that your vehicle has been taken with keys inside is to confirm that it was actually stolen. You can do this by calling the non-emergency police department number in your area.
You will need to give them the following details if you choose to do so:
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a number that can be found on the back of the vehicle. It is usually located on the driver's side door or on the windshield. The last seven digits are also printed on the headlights as well as the mirrors, making it even more difficult for anyone to try to alter the identity of the vehicle.
Particular Features - If there is anything that makes your vehicle look different than others similar to it This can be useful. A description of any personal belongings that were in the vehicle at the time it was stolen can also be useful.
Your Insurance Coverage: If you have Comprehensive coverage or specific Perils It is likely to cover theft of the vehicle regardless of whether you left your keys inside. If, however, you have Liability only insurance, then this might not be the case.
Many people make the error of leaving their cars running with the ignition on while running errands or getting ready to work in the morning. This is a recipe for catastrophe, as it only takes a few moments to jump into your car and drive what to do if your car keys are stolen off.
Saturday is the most common day to steal a car that has keys in the ignition followed by Friday and Monday. Colorado is the most popular state for car thefts. If you leave your car blazing could be a beckon for criminals.
It is usually cheaper to purchase a new set than to file an insurance claim if the original key was stolen. This is especially true if have an electronic key fob or a smart key that is easily replaced at your auto dealership for just a few hundred dollars. This is less expensive than paying the deductible and it will eliminate the hassle of having to deal with your insurance company in the future.