If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have a comprehensive insurance policy the insurance company will cover the vehicle that was stolen even if you left keys in the car. The insurance company will investigate the theft to determine whether it was at fault.
The most efficient way to proceed is to make an insurance claim as soon as you realize the vehicle has been stolen. Any delay will likely result in your insurance claim getting rejected or being the subject of a fraud investigation.
1. Don't panic!
It is crucial to be at peace and avoid making a mistake that will only cause the situation to get worse. The first thing you need to do is call the police. After that, provide them with the most complete information you can about the vehicle, such as the make, model and license plate number. You should also inform them if you have any valuables in your vehicle, such as laptops, a work ID badge, or other personal items.
The police can give you the most accurate information about the vehicle that was stolen, and what they plan to do next. They may be able locate your vehicle and catch the thieves.
Many people fail to lock their vehicles or shut the windows, particularly if they are in a hurry or have children in the car. While it might seem like a silly mistake however, it's very simple to make and usually has devastating consequences. In these instances thieves can simply climb into the drivers seat and drive away as if it were their own vehicle. If nobody knows it's not their vehicle the thieves could travel for a long time before being caught by police.
Another mistake that can be easily made is to leave a key in the ignition or having a spare key hidden on your property or person. This is dangerous because it makes it much easier to start the vehicle and then run off with. This is usually the case when people go to a store to pick up something or leave the car running while they are there. Other common mistakes include running the car as it is warming up, or rushing into a gas station order to pay for fuel.
Keeping these mistakes in mind it is vital to take proactive measures to avoid them in the future. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, from putting in an alert system to parking in a well-lit area. Additionally, some automakers offer security features that can discourage thieves or stop them from starting the car. These be anything from a simple, alarm that is audible 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 obligation to report any attempted or actual theft. The police department can assist you by providing you with information on what you should do next. They can also offer you advice on how to safeguard your vehicle in future by installing a wheellock. They can also provide you with a crime reference number that will assist you in contacting your insurance company.
In reporting a vehicle that's stolen, it's important to provide as complete a report as possible. Make sure to provide the exact information to your insurance company and the police. This helps to increase the chance that your vehicle is returned or recovered.
You must be prepared to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) as well as the license plate number and the year, model and model of your vehicle, in addition to any other distinguishing features. Include any information about your vehicle's GPS tracking device, or other security features that prevent theft.
Another crucial piece of information is any personal items that were inside the vehicle at the time of the theft. This could be the purse, wallet or any other item that could contain personal information. It is important to notify the credit card companies, your bank and any other company that could be involved in the event of an item is stolen from your vehicle.
You should also notify your renters or homeowners insurance if any of your personal possessions were taken. This is because more info these items are typically covered by the personal property section in these policies, whereas auto insurance will only cover damage to your vehicle.
There is no way to prevent the possibility of a car burglary, however you can minimize the risk by getting rid of valuables from your vehicle, locking the doors, and putting up windows at all times. It is also advisable to keep an extra key in a different location than inside your car. Also, check your insurance coverage every year to make sure you are covered.
If you have comprehensive insurance, the insurer will pay for the damage or loss to your vehicle, less any applicable deductible. Liability insurance won't cover car thefts. Make sure you have comprehensive coverage prior to lending your vehicle.
3. Don't Search for Your Vehicle on Your Own
As a vehicle owner, you have a duty to safeguard your property. It is crucial to ensure that your vehicle is secured even if you're not present. It's important to secure your vehicle each time you leave, and to roll the windows fully up. It's also a good idea not to leave your spare keys in your vehicle or other place where criminals could get them.
One of the most common reasons for car thefts is when people forget to leave an extra key in the vicinity or in the vehicle. This is a simple error that could have serious consequences especially in the current world.
Modern thieves are moving beyond the hotwiring techniques you may have seen in action films and are employing more sophisticated methods to rob vehicles. This includes a relay attack where two thieves utilize electronic devices to intercept the signal of the owner's keyfob, unlock the car, and take it away.
The good news is the police are beginning to use more efficient technology to locate thieves who try to steal cars with their keys inside. Some companies will install a tracking device on your vehicle, which will report the exact location of your vehicle to the police. This could help reduce the number of thefts, and increase their chances of being found.
In addition to a tracking device, you may want to think about installing an immobilizer inside your vehicle to stop it from starting. This will make it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle. You can also determine if someone has tried to start your car by calling the police.
If you do decide to track down your stolen vehicle it is not advisable to find it on your own. This can cause more damage and could result in the theft of other belongings in your vehicle, like your personal belongings. You should instead contact your insurance company and inform them that your vehicle was taken with keys inside. You should also inform them of any personal belongings that were in the vehicle at the time of theft, like mail, a purse or wallet that contains 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 a comprehensive auto insurance policy (which typically covers a wide range of incidents such as theft), it is important to contact your insurer and file a claim as soon as possible. This will allow them to begin their investigation and ensure you are covered in the event that your vehicle is damaged or lost.
You should provide your insurer with all the information you are able to remember about your car including: the year, make and model; the license plate number as well as the VIN (vehicle identification number); and where you last was able to see it. It is also helpful to include information about the manner in which the theft occurred and at what time of the day it was, and if there was rain or snow. If you're not sure about any of these details, you can ask police to look up the information.
In some instances it might be required to report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles as well. This will stop a thief from using your vehicle to violate the law or damage another property.
When you call your insurance company, you'll need to have the police report in hand to allow them to begin the investigation. You will also have to be ready to provide any additional information that your insurance representative may require.
You could be able to claim any personal belongings that were taken from your vehicle through your homeowners ' or renters' insurance, depending on the area you reside in. Also, you should contact your leasing or finance company that the vehicle was reported stolen.
It is crucial to be calm and quick to act regardless of an extremely stressful situation. These tips will help you do this, and hopefully result in your car getting back safe and sound to you. If you are required to file a claim for a stolen car with keys in it the best thing to do is work with an independent insurance agent who will assist you in the process and provide you with discounts to make the experience as smooth as possible.