Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your car has been broken into with the keys still inside, you will need to submit an insurance claim under comprehensive coverage. The amount of deductible is contingent on the limit and type of policy.
You should take precautions to prevent your car from being taken. Here are some helpful tips:
Preventive measures to take
A vehicle is one of the largest investments you will ever make. It is crucial to make every effort to protect your vehicle. Prevention can decrease the chance of theft and increase your chances of recover your car in the event of theft with the keys inside.
One of the most effective ways to keep your vehicle secure is to install an anti-theft system that includes the GPS tracking device. These systems use a combination of GPS and wireless technologies to enable you to monitor your vehicle. The technology alerts police or a monitoring company whenever the car is moved. They are also able to locate a missing or damaged vehicle, which can be helpful in recovering it.
Even if you're only planning to be away for a short period of time locking the doors and opening the windows is an additional security measure. In the U.S., tens of thousands of vehicles are taken away every year because owners leave their vehicles unlocked, and leave their keys in the ignition. Unlocked cars can be opened by a skilled burglar even in the case that the window is just turned an inch or two inches.
Parking in secure parking garages and lots is a great way to deter thieves since these facilities are often monitored and have security personnel. You should also avoid secluded and poorly lit areas as they are more likely to be targeted by thieves.
In addition to installing an anti-theft device and a security system, you can also discourage thieves by using visible deterrents to theft, like a steering lock or alarm decals. They can make a potential criminal think twice about entering your vehicle because they'll have face the additional difficulty of removing or bypassing the device.
If you have electronics or valuables in your vehicle, it is best to put them in the most secure place possible. Keep electronic cords chargers for phones and navigational equipment out of sight or in the trunk. It is also a good idea to record the serial numbers of expensive equipment or accessories in case they are stolen. You can then provide this information to the police as well as your insurance company if they ever find them.
Notifying the police
A car is stolen every 32 seconds, and vehicle theft costs Americans $8 billion per year. In a lot of cases, cars are stolen with keys inside, and this is a problem that's getting worse. It could happen when you leave your car running to warm up or when you're going to the grocery shop for a few minutes. You can avoid this by removing valuables from your car and locking them.
It's also essential to notify the police as soon as your vehicle is taken. This will give the police a greater chance of catching the criminal and return your vehicle. It will also ensure that your car is entered into the auto-theft national and state databases, which could prevent any future title or ownership issues.
Contact your insurance company. They will be able to tell you whether your policy covers the theft of a vehicle with keys in the ignition. In most instances, the insurance company will compensate you for the loss in the event that you have a comprehensive insurance. If you don't have this coverage you might want to looking into switching to a different insurance company.
If you are filing an insurance claim for a vehicle that was stolen with keys in the ignition, it is important to act quickly. If you wait too long the insurance company could refuse to pay or ask you as to why you left the keys in your car. This is due to the fact that they believe that you did not take "reasonable care" of your property.
Be aware of the risk of identity theft if you have documents in your car, like your insurance card or registration. Some people keep paychecks or receipts in their cars, which can cause them to commit fraud. In this case you must notify your financial institutions. Also, you should monitor your accounts with care. It is also important to inform the police and your insurance company if your car has been recovered so they can investigate and prosecute the suspect.
Notifying your insurance provider
Many people leave their car running while they rush out the door to go to the supermarket or the gas station. Unfortunately, this could result in your car being stolen. You should never leave your car unattended when not driving. To avoid this, secure your car's doors when not inside.
You must notify your insurance company as soon as possible when you leave your vehicle in a parking lot and you don't have keys. You might be asked to provide details regarding the incident, such as 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 track your vehicle and hopefully find it.
Some car insurance companies have online systems through which you can make a claim, but it is recommended to call and speak with an agent. This will enable you to provide more specific details about the incident and will reduce the amount of back-andforth that could delay your claim. Your agent may ask for an original copy of the police report here as well as a list of valuables in your vehicle. This will assist the police with their investigation and help them determine if you're covered under your comprehensive insurance.
You should also inform your leasing company or finance company that you have a financed or lease vehicle. This will prevent them from attempting to repossess or reclaim your car. If your car is recovered with significant damage, the comprehensive section of your insurance policy will cover the cost of repairing it.
If you decide to file a claim on your car, and it's not returned the settlement can take up to 30 days. If you don't have a replacement car to use in the meantime, you should check your policy to determine whether you have rental reimbursement coverage that can help you pay for a rental vehicle while you wait. Mark Fitzpatrick, MoneyGeek's head of insurance and a licensed property casualty insurer, is an expert in the field. He has been analyzing the insurance market for more than five years and is regularly quoted in national media.
Inspection of your vehicle
If you find a car stolen with keys inside the car, the first thing you have to ensure is that your vehicle really was stolen. You can do this by calling the number of the police department that is non-emergency in your area.
If you do, you will want to provide them with the following details:
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) - It is usually located on the driver's door or on the windshield. The seven digits in the last seven of the VIN are also stamped onto the mirrors and headlights to make it harder for anyone trying to alter the identity of the vehicle.
It is helpful to note any distinctive features of your vehicle. It can be useful to document any personal items in the vehicle at the time of theft.
Your Insurance Coverage If you have Comprehensive coverage or specific Perils, it will likely cover theft of the vehicle regardless of whether you have left your keys inside. However, if you're covered with Liability-only insurance, this may not be the situation.
Many people make the mistake of leaving their cars running with the ignition key on when they are running errands, or getting ready to leave for work in the morning. This is an ideal situation for disaster since it only takes an opportunistic criminal a few seconds to hop into your vehicle and drive off.
Saturday is the most frequent day to steal a car that has keys in the ignition, followed by Friday and Monday. Colorado is the number one state for car thefts. If you leave your car blazing could be an invitation for criminals.
It is generally cheaper to buy a new set than to submit an insurance claim in the event that the original key was stolen. This is true especially in the case of an electronic key fob or smart key, which can be replaced by your local auto dealer for a few hundred dollars. This is cheaper than paying your deductible, and you will not have to deal with the insurance company in future.