Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your car has been broken into and the keys still inside, you'll need to make an insurance claim under comprehensive coverage. The deductible depends on the type of insurance and the limit.
However, it is important to take preventive measures to avoid getting your vehicle stolen in first place. Here are some tips:
Preventive measures
A vehicle is among the biggest investments you'll ever make. It's important to make every effort to protect your vehicle. Prevention can decrease the risk of theft and increase your chances to return your vehicle when it's stolen with keys inside.
Installing an anti-theft system that incorporates GPS tracking is among the most effective methods to ensure your vehicle's safety. These systems make use of a combination of GPS and wireless technology to enable you to monitor your vehicle. The technology alerts the police or a monitoring service whenever the vehicle is moved. They also have the ability to locate a lost or damaged vehicle, which could aid in locating it.
Even if you're only going to be gone for a short period of time, locking the doors and opening the windows is another preventive measure. In the U.S., tens of thousands of vehicles are taken away every year because owners leave their vehicles unlocked and keys in the ignition. A skilled burglar can gain access to the vehicle that is locked window that's only rolled up by 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.
In addition to installing an anti-theft system, you can also deter thieves with visible deterrents to theft, like a steering wheel lock or alarm decals. They can make a potential criminal think twice about breaking into your vehicle, since they'll have to endure the burden of removing or avoiding the device.
Hide valuables and electronics as often as you can in your car. Keep things like electronic cords chargers for phones, and navigational equipment away from view, or put them in the trunk. You should also record the serial number of any expensive accessories or equipment in the event that it is 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 theft of vehicles costs Americans an estimated $8 billion per year. In many instances, vehicles are stolen with keys inside, and it's an issue that is getting more serious. This could happen if you leave your car on to warm up or even if you just visit the store for a brief period of time. But there are ways to prevent this from happening, such as taking important items from your vehicle or making sure they are locked out of view.
It's also important to notify the police immediately if your vehicle is stolen. Doing this will provide law enforcement officers with a better chance of catching the culprit and returning your vehicle. It will also ensure that your car is included in the national and state auto-theft databases, which could prevent future ownership or title issues.
You should also contact your insurance company. You can ask them whether your policy covers thefts of vehicles that have the keys in the ignition. In the majority of cases, the insurance company will reimburse you for the loss when you have comprehensive coverage. If you don't have this type of coverage switching to a different insurance company could be worth it.
If you file a claim for an unintentionally stolen vehicle with keys in the ignition, you need to act swiftly. If you are waiting too long the insurance company could decline your claim. They could also ask the reason you put keys to your car in it. They will claim that you haven't taken "reasonable" care of your property.
You should be aware that documents such as your insurance or registration card can be used to commit identity theft. Some people keep paychecks or receipts in their cars, which can make them vulnerable to fraud. If this is the case, inform your financial institutions and be sure to monitor your accounts carefully. If your car is recovered you must also inform the police and your insurance company to allow them to investigate the theft and pursue the perpetrator.
Notifying your insurance company
Many people leave their cars running as they hurry out of the house to go to the grocery store or gas station. Unfortunately, this could result in your car being stolen. You should never leave your car unattended when not driving. The best way to prevent this from happening is to lock your car doors when you're not using it.
If you do leave your vehicle unattended, with the keys in the car, you'll want to notify your insurance company as soon as you can. They may ask you to provide details about the incident, including where the vehicle was parked and the time of the theft. It is crucial to do this so the police can track your car and hopefully recover it.
You can submit an online claim with certain insurance companies, however it is best to speak to an agent. This will allow you to provide more detailed details about the incident and will reduce the amount of back-and-forth that could delay your claim. Your agent could also request a copy the police report and an inventory of all the valuables in your car. This will aid the police in their investigation and determine whether your possessions are covered under your comprehensive insurance.
If your vehicle is being financed or leased, it is important to inform your leasing company or finance company of the theft. This will prevent them from trying to repossess your car or claim it. If your car is recovered with significant damage, the comprehensive section of your policy will cover the cost of fixing it.
If your car isn't returned and you choose to file an insurance claim, it may take up to 30 days before you receive an amount. Examine your policy to determine whether you have rental reimbursement coverage to pay for a rental car while you are waiting. Mark Fitzpatrick is a licensed producer of property and casualty insurance and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has been analyzing the insurance market for over five years and is regularly quoted in national media.
Inspecting your vehicle
If a vehicle is stolen with keys inside the vehicle, the first thing you have to do is verify that your vehicle really was stolen. You can do this by calling the non-emergency police department's number in your area.
If you do then you should provide them with the following information:
The Vehicle Identification Number is usually located in the driver's door or near to the windshield. The last seven digits are also placed on the headlights and the mirrors, making it even more difficult for anyone to change the identity of the vehicle.
It is useful to note any distinctive characteristics of your vehicle. It may be helpful to describe any personal items found in the vehicle at the time of theft.
Your Insurance Coverage - If you have Comprehensive or specified Perils coverage, it will likely cover the theft of your vehicle regardless of whether or not you have left keys inside it. If, however, you have liability only insurance, this may not be the situation.
Many people make the error of leaving their cars running with the ignition on when they are running errands, or getting ready for work early in the morning. This is an ideal situation for disaster since it only takes an opportunistic criminal a few seconds to hop into your car and leave.
The most common day for car thefts that have keys in the ignition is on Saturday and Monday, followed by Friday. With Colorado being ranked first in the country for car thefts If you leave your vehicle blazing could be a tempting potential target for criminals looking to make a profit.
It is often cheaper to pay for a new set of keys than to file 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 smart key that is easily repaired at your local car dealership for around a hundred dollars. This is less expensive than paying the deductible and it will spare you the hassle of having to deal with your insurance company click here in the future.