If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have comprehensive coverage, your car insurance will cover the vehicle that was stolen even if you left keys in it. The insurance company will investigate the incident to determine whether it was your fault.
The most efficient way to proceed is to start an insurance claim as soon as you are aware that your vehicle has been stolen. Any delay will likely result in your insurance claim getting rejected or subject to a fraud investigation.
1. Don't panic!
If your car was taken with keys inside It is crucial to stay calm and not make a poor decision which will only add to the situation. The first thing to do is contact the police. When you have done that give them as much information as possible about the vehicle, such as the make, model and license plate number. It is also important to inform them that there was anything valuable inside your vehicle, such as laptops, a ID badge for work or other personal belongings.
The police can provide you with the most precise information regarding your vehicle stolen, and what they plan to do next. They might be able to locate your vehicle or catch the thieves.
Many people forget to close their windows or lock their car, especially when they are in a rush or have children with. It may sound silly however it's actually quite easy to do and can lead to disastrous consequences. In these instances thieves simply get into the driver's seat and drive off as if it were their own car. If no one else around them is aware they aren't the owners and they are able to travel a considerable distance before being stopped by a police officer.
Another common mistake that is easy to make is to put keys in the ignition or a spare key hidden on your person or property. This is risky since it makes it easier to start the vehicle and then run off with. This is usually the case when people go into the store to purchase something or leave the car running while they are there. Other mistakes that are common include running the car while it is warming up or rushing to a gas station to pay for fuel.
Keeping these mistakes in mind it is vital to take proactive steps to avoid them in the future. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, from putting in an alarm system to parking in well-lit places. Certain automakers also offer security features to deter thieves and prevent them from starting their vehicle. These features be anything from a sound-based alarm system to more sophisticated GPS-based devices that track the vehicle.
2. Call the police
As a car owner, it's your obligation to report any theft or attempted theft. The police department can assist you by providing you with information on what you should do next. They may also give you tips on how you can protect your vehicle in future such as installing a lock. Additionally, they can provide you with a crime reference number that could assist you in contacting your insurance company.
In reporting a vehicle that's stolen it is crucial to be as detailed as possible. Be sure that you give the exact information to your insurance company and the police. This will increase the chances that your car is returned or found.
You should be prepared to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN), the license plate number, the year, make, and model of your vehicle, as well any other distinctive features. If your vehicle is equipped with an GPS tracking device or other anti-theft technology, be sure to include it in addition to.
A third aspect that is vital is the presence of personal items in the vehicle when the theft occurred. It could be an item like a purse, wallet or any other item that may contain personal information. It's important to notify credit card companies, your bank and any other entity that could be involved in the event of the item is stolen from your car.
You should also notify your homeowners or renters insurer for any personal possessions were taken. This is because these possessions are typically covered by the personal property section in these policies, whereas auto insurance only covers the damage to your vehicle.
While there's no way to fully prevent car theft, you can minimize the likelihood of this occurring by removing any valuables from your vehicle, locking your doors and rolling up your windows at all times. You should also keep a spare key somewhere else than inside your car. Also, examine your insurance coverage each year to make sure you are covered.
If you have comprehensive coverage the insurance company will cover the loss of your car with the exception of any deductible applicable. Liability insurance doesn't cover theft of cars so make sure you have comprehensive coverage prior to lending your vehicle to anyone.
3. Do not attempt to search for your vehicle on your own
As a vehicle owner, you have a duty to safeguard your property. This is why it's crucial to keep your vehicle secured, even when you're away. It's essential to secure your vehicle each when you leave, and to roll the windows completely up. It's important not to keep spare keys in your car or other place where criminals could get the keys.
In reality, one of the main reasons that people have their vehicles taken away with keys in it is because they've left an extra key in or close to the car. This is a simple error that can have grave consequences particularly in the present day.
Modern thieves have moved beyond the old hotwiring techniques you might see in an action movie, and are using more sophisticated methods to rob vehicles. This includes a relay attack where two thieves use electronic devices to capture the signal of the owner's keyfob, then unlock the car, then take it away.
The good news is that police are beginning to use more efficient technology to identify thieves who try to steal cars with keys in them. For instance, some businesses are now offering to install a tracking system on your vehicle that will report its location to the police. This will lower the chance and number of theft.
In addition to a tracking device, you may want to consider installing an immobilizer inside your car to prevent it from being started. This will make it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle. You may also determine whether someone tried to start the car by calling website the police.
If you decide to track down the vehicle you lost do not attempt to do it by yourself. This could cause more damage and possibly the theft of personal belongings from your vehicle. Instead, you should call your insurance company as quickly as possible and let them know that your car was taken with keys inside. You should also inform them of any personal items that were in the vehicle at the time of theft, like mail or a wallet containing your cash or credit cards or office badges, other forms of identification, and any medication or other medical supplies that were in the vehicle.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have comprehensive auto insurance (which includes a variety of incidents including theft) You should contact your insurer as soon as you can in order to make claims. This will allow them to begin the investigation and ensure that you are protected in the event that your vehicle is damaged or destroyed.
You will want to provide your insurer with all the information you can keep about your vehicle, such as: the year the model, make and year and the license plate number and the VIN (vehicle identification number) and the location you last observed it. You can also include details about the time and day of the theft, as well as the weather conditions, if it snowed or rained. If you aren't sure of any of these details, you can request the police to look up their records for this information for you.
In certain situations, it could be necessary to inform the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. This will help prevent the thief from using your vehicle in any manner that could violate the law or cause damage to other property.
When you call your insurance company, you will require the police report with you to allow them to begin the investigation. You will also have to be prepared to provide any additional information that your insurance agent might require.
You may be able claim personal belongings that were taken from your vehicle through your renters' or homeowners' insurance, depending on where you live. Additionally, you should notify your leasing or finance company to inform them that the vehicle was reported stolen.
It is important to be calm and quick to act, even though it is a terrible situation. These tips will help you do this, and hopefully will result in your car returning safely and sound to you. If you have to file a claim for a stolen car with keys in it the best thing you can do is work with an independent insurance agent who can guide you through the process and find you discounts to make the experience as smooth as possible.