Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your car is taken with the keys inside, you'll have to make a claim under comprehensive coverage. The deductible is contingent on the type of insurance and the amount.
However, you must take preventive measures to avoid getting your car stolen in the first place. Here are some suggestions:
Preventive measures
A vehicle is among the largest investments you'll ever make. It's important to make every effort to protect your vehicle. Taking preventive measures can help reduce the chance of theft and increase your chances of getting your car back in the event it's stolen with keys inside.
One of the most effective ways to keep your vehicle secure is to install an anti-theft device that includes a GPS tracking device. These systems combine GPS and wireless technology to allow you to monitor your car. The technology alerts police or monitoring services whenever the vehicle moves. They can also track a damaged or missing vehicle and assist in recovering it.
Another preventive measure is to lock the doors and open the windows of your vehicle when it's parked, even if you are just going away for a few minutes. Tens of thousands of vehicles are stolen 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 can open an unlocked vehicle through a window that is only rolled up an inch or two.
Parking in secured parking garages and parking lots is a great strategy to deter thieves since these places are often guarded and have security personnel. It is also recommended to avoid areas that are secluded and poorly lit areas because they are more likely to be targeted by thieves.
You can deter thieves in addition to installing an anti theft system with visible theft deterrents like an alarm lock on the steering wheel or stickers. They can make a potential thief think twice about trying to break into your car because they'll have endure the difficulty of removing or bypassing the device.
If you have valuables or electronics in your vehicle, you should put them in the most secure place possible. Things like chargers for mobile phones as well as navigation equipment and electronic cords should be kept out of view or stored in the trunk. It is also a good idea to record the serial numbers of any expensive equipment or accessories in case they are stolen. If they're ever found, you can provide this information to your insurance company and the police.
Notifying the police
Every 32 seconds, a car is stolen and vehicle theft is a major expense, costing Americans approximately $8 billion per year. This problem is getting worse. In many cases, keys are left inside cars after they've been stolen. This can happen when you leave your car on to warm up, or even if you go into the store for a brief period of time. You can avoid this by removing valuables from your car and locking them.
Notifying the police immediately after your vehicle was stolen is also crucial. This will give the police a greater chance to locate the culprit and return your vehicle. Also, it will help ensure that your vehicle is enrolled into national and state databases for auto theft and will help prevent any future ownership issues or title problems.
Contact your insurance company. You can inquire whether your policy will cover thefts of vehicles with the keys in the ignition. In most cases, the insurance company will reimburse you for the loss when you have comprehensive coverage. If you don't have this coverage, switching to another insurer may be worth it.
When you file an insurance claim against a stolen car with the keys in the ignition, it is important to act swiftly. If you are waiting too long the insurance company could reject your claim. They could also ask you about why you left the car keys in it. They believe you have not taken "reasonable" care of your property.
You should be aware of the risk of identity theft if you keep documents in your car, such as your insurance card or registration. Some people keep their paychecks or receipts in their cars, which could lead them to commit fraud. If this is the case, alert your financial institutions and keep track of your accounts in detail. It is also important to inform the police and your insurance company if your vehicle was seized so that they can investigate and prosecute the suspect.
Notifying your insurance company
Many people leave their car running as they hurry out of the house for a quick trip to the grocery store or gas station. Unfortunately, this could lead to your car being stolen. It is not advisable to leave your car unattended while not driving. To avoid this, secure 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 possible. You might be asked to provide details about the incident including the location where the vehicle was left and the time it was stolen. It's important that you provide this information so that the police can search for your vehicle and hopefully recover it.
You can file an online claim with certain car insurance companies, but it is better to talk to an agent. You can provide additional details about the incident, and the back-andforth could delay your claim. Your agent could request 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 will determine if your items are covered under your comprehensive coverage.
Additionally, if your vehicle is owned by more info a finance company or leased, you'll need to inform your leasing or finance company of the theft. This will stop them from attempting to take possession or take back your vehicle. If your car is recovered and has significant damage the comprehensive section of your insurance will pay for the repair it.
If your car isn't returned and you choose to file an insurance claim, it may take up to 30 days to receive a settlement. If you don't have a second vehicle to use in the meantime, check your policy to determine if you have rental reimbursement coverage that could pay for a rental car 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 studying the insurance market since 2005 and is often quoted in national media.
Inspection of your car
The first thing you should do when you discover that a vehicle has been taken with keys inside is to verify that it was actually stolen. You can do this by calling the non-emergency police department number in your area.
You'll have to provide them the following details if you decide to do this:
The Vehicle Identification Number is typically located on the driver's door or close to the windshield. The seven digits that make up the VIN are also stamped onto the mirrors and headlights to make it harder for anyone who attempts to alter the vehicle's identity.
Unique Specifications - If there's anything that makes your vehicle look different from others similar to it this could be helpful. It may be useful to document any personal items found in the vehicle at the time of theft.
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 you only have liability insurance, this might not be true.
Many people make this error when they run for errands or getting ready to go to work in the morning. This is a recipe of catastrophe, as it only takes just a few minutes to get in your car and drive off.
Saturday is the most frequent day to steal a vehicle with the keys in ignition followed by Friday and Monday. Colorado is the number one state for car thefts. The act of letting your car puff could be a beckon for criminals.
It is usually cheaper to buy a new set of keys rather than submit an insurance claim for one that was stolen with the key in it. This is especially true if you have an electronic key fob or a smart key that can be replaced at your auto dealership for just a few hundred dollars. This is cheaper than paying your deductible, and you'll avoid having to deal with the insurance company in future.