If Your Car Was Stolen With Keys Inside, Follow the Police Process
As we enter "Puffing season" with the cold weather leaving cars running even when keys are inside is a popular method of theft. If your vehicle is stolen with keys inside, you must always submit a police report as soon as you can.
The policies of insurance vary, but comprehensive coverage usually covers cars even when the keys are left inside. However, personal belongings are typically covered by homeowners or renters insurance, but not by car insurance.
Theft
A lot of car thieves simply attack a vehicle with keys inside. It's a simple method that works. A driver gets distracted and their car is gone next time they notice. It's crucial to stop this cycle, so make sure you always have your keys with you when you leave your vehicle regardless of the place you park.
A car is stolen every 32 seconds and Americans lose $8 billion a year due to vehicle thefts. This is why it's crucial to not leave your car unattended with keys inside, especially in high-crime areas.
The thieves have become very adept at stealing vehicles that have key fobs. This makes it even more important to take extra security measures. The thieves can employ relay attacks, signal jamming or other technology to hack a vehicle's system and reprogram the key fob. They may also employ a "slim jim", a tool that fits inside the door's cavity near the window's base, to manipulate the internal locking mechanisms or links.
Hotwiring is another method, which involves removing the ignition cord from the vehicle and then using an electrical current to start the motor. This is a method that is popular among teens who do not have a full-time occupation and are looking to make a quick buck. But it's also a way criminals can use stolen vehicles to engage in joyriding or for other crimes.
Dealerships can secure themselves by using vehicle tracking systems and performing regular audits of their key inventory and vehicle records to spot gaps and possible security breaches. They should also urge drivers to use a signal blocking pouch or Faraday box when storing their keys, as these can protect against relay attacks and other forms of hacks.
If you do leave your car running without keys inside the car, your insurance provider will cover the loss as long as you have Comprehensive coverage. However, your insurer may conduct credit checks and other checks to confirm that the claim is legitimate before paying you.
Damage
It's akin to asking for your car to be stolen when you leave it unlocked or running while the keys are in the car. It takes a savvy thief a few seconds to hop in and drive away. Fortunately, your insurance company could cover the theft if you have comprehensive coverage. Some policies do not cover vehicles with keys inside. If you're concerned that your policy won't cover this, it could be worthwhile switching to other auto insurance providers.
Certain states have laws that govern how a car owner is liable for a vehicle theft that involves keys inside. The rules differ from state to state, therefore it is important to know them. In the majority of cases, the owner of the vehicle is not accountable for any accident that occurs when the thief drives. This is due to the fact that the thief is not considered an insured driver. The owner of the car is not held liable for the items that were stolen from the vehicle, as these are usually covered by renters or homeowners insurance.
It is crucial to report the theft of your car to the police and your insurance company as soon as you can. This will make the process easier and increase your chances of reclaiming property. It is important to be aware that multiple claims may affect your insurance rate. Discuss this with your agent to see how it will affect your policy in future.
If you want to stop your car from being stolen while the keys are inside, lock it and close the windows every time you leave. A spare key should be stored in a safe place and not kept in the car. If you must leave the vehicle running, make sure to place it in park and switch off the ignition before you leave.
In addition to avoiding the possibility of your car being taken away with keys in, you should be extra careful not to leave valuables inside your vehicle such as laptops or MP3 players. You could be able to file a separate claim in the event that you have added non-permanent items to your car like an USB device that is connected to the accessory port.
Insurance
Vehicle theft causes Americans $8 billion each year. Luckily, the majority of cars are covered by insurance policies if they are stolen. In some instances, your insurance policy may not cover the cost of fixing or replacing your car. One of these is when you forgot your keys in the car, and it is stolen. This is not a typical scenario, but it does happen.
The answer to whether your vehicle will be covered in this situation will depend on the type of policy you have. The majority of policies that provide comprehensive coverage will cover the car even if it is stolen and the keys are inside. However, the amount your insurance company will pay will be contingent on the limits of your policy as well as the deductible.
If you only have liability insurance, your car is more likely to be stolen if you forget to leave keys in it. However, you will only be compensated to a maximum amount of $10,000. If you have comprehensive insurance on your car, however, you will be able to file a claim for the entire value of your vehicle and the contents in it (minus the deductible).
There is a major caveat that comes with this scenario: Insurance companies may consider putting your keys in your car as a form of negligence. Many insurers require their customers to take reasonable steps to protect their vehicles. This includes locking them when not in use and ensuring they do not run. Additionally, if you live in a location where there are frequent reports of car thefts, your insurer may raise your premium.
There are other ways to secure your vehicle from theft, such as installing an anti-theft device or other security features. You should also verify whether you have insurance on your property in place. Renters and homeowners insurance policies typically cover personal property, which covers your belongings in case they are lost or stolen in or off your premises. You can save time and money by filing both claims in one go in the case of a property and auto insurance bundle.
Recovery
The best way to ensure that your car is recovered after being taken with keys inside is to follow the police process. Report the theft to the local police department. Make sure you give them all the details they need about the car, including the VIN license car key stolen from house plate and year, as well as the model, make, where it was taken, and any distinctive features.
Once the police have filed a complaint and they begin looking for your vehicle. The police will employ a variety of methods to locate your vehicle including interviewing witnesses and analyzing evidence physical and watching surveillance footage. During this process, it's important to be patient and continue to check in with the police frequently for updates.
In the event that your vehicle is rediscovered and is subsequently inspected, it will be examined by an insurance claims adjuster to determine the condition of the vehicle. If your car is in a driving condition and the damage occurred when it was not under your control, your comprehensive insurance will compensate you for it. The amount you will receive depends on the current value of your vehicle and the deductible on your auto insurance policy and any additional coverages that you might have, such as homeowners or renters.
Notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state of residence regarding the stolen vehicle is an additional procedure that could differ based on the advice of the police or insurance company suggests. This will add your vehicle's details to a database that is a national database of stolen vehicles, making it more difficult for criminals to sell or illegally register a stolen vehicle in the future.
If you discovered any credit or debit cards that were in your vehicle when you lost it Contact the banks to freeze the cards. This will stop identity theft and fraudulent charges. If you have homeowners or renters insurance, it's also an excellent idea to report the theft to your insurance company since the items in your vehicle are typically covered by those policies. You might be able to combine your claims from both policies in certain circumstances to receive a larger settlement for the items you lost.