Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your car is taken with keys inside, you'll have to make a claim under comprehensive coverage. The deductible will depend on the amount and kind of policy.
However, you must take preventive measures to avoid getting your vehicle stolen in first place. Here are a few suggestions:
Preventive measures to take
A car is the largest investment you'll ever make. It's a good idea to take every precaution to protect it. Prevention can decrease 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 device that includes GPS tracking is among the most effective methods to ensure the safety of your vehicle. These systems combine GPS and wireless technology to enable you to keep an eye on your vehicle. The technology alerts the police or a monitoring service when the car is moved. They also have the ability to locate a lost or damaged vehicle, which could aid in locating it.
Even if you're just going to be away for a short period of time closing the doors and rolling up the windows is a good measure. In the U.S., tens of thousands vehicles are stolen each year because owners leave their vehicles unlocked and keys in the ignition. A skilled thief can open an unlocked vehicle through a window that is only rolled up a few inches.
Parking in garages and parking lots that are monitored by security personnel is a great deterrent for thieves. 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 system with visible theft deterrents such as an alarm lock on the steering wheel or stickers. They can make a potential thief think twice about entering your vehicle because they'll have face the additional burden of removing or avoiding the device.
Keep electronics and valuables hidden as often as you can in your car. Items like chargers for mobile phones or navigation equipment, as well as electronic cords should be kept out of sight or in the trunk. You should also record the serial number of any expensive accessory or equipment in the event that it is stolen. If they're ever discovered, you can give this information to your insurance company and the police.
Notifying the police
A car is stolen every 32 seconds, and car theft is a major expense, costing Americans $8 billion a year. The problem is becoming more severe. In many cases, keys are left inside cars after they've been stolen. It could happen if you leave your car running to warm it up or when you're going to the store for a few minutes. There are ways to prevent this from happening, such as taking important items from your vehicle or keeping them hidden from view.
It's also essential to notify the police as soon as your vehicle is taken. This will provide law enforcement officers with an increased chance of locating the perpetrator and restitution for your vehicle. It will also ensure that your vehicle is included in the auto-theft databases of the state and national databases, which could prevent future ownership or title issues.
It is also advisable to contact your insurance company. You can ask them if your policy will cover thefts of vehicles with the keys in the ignition. In most instances the insurance company will compensate you for your loss when you have comprehensive coverage. If you do not have this type of coverage and you want to switch to another insurance provider, it might be worth it.
When you file a claim for an unintentionally stolen vehicle with keys in the ignition, it is important to act swiftly. If you wait too long the insurance company could reject your claim or inquire with you as to why you left the keys in your car. This is due to the fact that they believe that you didn't take "reasonable care" of your property.
You should be aware of the risk of identity theft if you have documents in your car, like your insurance card or registration. Some people keep their paychecks or receipts in their cars, which can make them vulnerable to fraud. In this instance you must notify your financial institutions. You should also keep an eye on your accounts closely. Also, you should inform the police and your insurance company if your vehicle has been recovered so they can investigate and prosecute the suspect.
Notifying your insurance company
Many people let their vehicle running as they hurry out of the house to go to the supermarket or the gas station. This can lead to your car being stolen. It is a bad idea to leave your car unattended when not in use. To prevent this, lock your vehicle's doors when you're not in the car.
If you do end up leaving your vehicle unattended with the keys in the car, you'll want to inform your insurance company as soon as you can. You could be asked to provide specifics about the incident, including the location where the vehicle was left and when it was stolen. This will assist the police locate your vehicle and possibly recover it.
Some car insurers have online systems where you can submit an insurance claim, however it is best to call and speak with an agent. This will enable you to provide more specific information about the incident and will reduce the amount of back and forth that can delay your claim. Your agent might ask for an original copy of the police report as well as the list of valuables that are in your vehicle. This will help the police with their investigation and help determine whether your possessions are covered under your comprehensive insurance.
It is also important to inform your leasing company or finance company that you have a financed or leased vehicle. This will prevent them from trying to repossess your car or claim it as stolen. If your car is discovered with significant damage your comprehensive insurance will cover the cost of repair.
If you decide to file a claim for your vehicle and it's not returned the settlement could be up to 30 days. If you don't have a replacement car to use in the meantime, check your policy to determine whether you have rental reimbursement coverage which can provide a car rental while you wait. Mark Fitzpatrick, MoneyGeek's head of insurance and a licensed property-casualty insurance company is an expert in the field. He has been analyzing the insurance market for more than five years and is often quoted in national media.
Inspecting your vehicle
The first thing you must do if you suspect that your car has been stolen 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.
If you do this you must give them the following information:
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) - It is typically located in the door to the driver's side or on the windshield. The seven digits that make up the VIN are also engraved onto the mirrors and headlights in order to make it even harder for anyone who tries to change the identity of the vehicle.
Particular Specifications - If there's anything that makes your vehicle appear different from other vehicles similar to it This can be useful. It can be useful to document any personal items that were in the vehicle at the time it was stolen.
Your Insurance Coverage - If you have Comprehensive or Specific Perils coverage, it will likely cover the theft of your vehicle regardless of whether or not you have left keys inside it. If you only have liability insurance, this may not be the case.
Many people make the mistake of leaving their vehicles running with the ignition key on while they run errands or getting ready to leave for work in the morning. This is a recipe for catastrophe, as it only takes a criminal a few moments to jump in your car and drive away.
Saturday is the most frequent day to steal a car that has keys in the ignition followed by Friday and Monday. Colorado is the top state for car thefts. If you leave your car blazing could be a signal to criminals.
It is usually cheaper to purchase a new set of keys than to submit an insurance claim for one that was stolen with the key inside. This is true especially when you have an electronic key fob or smart key, which can be replaced by read more your local auto dealer for a few hundred dollars. This is less expensive than your deductible, and you will avoid having to deal with the insurance company in future.