Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your vehicle is broken into with the keys still inside, you'll need to submit an insurance claim under comprehensive coverage. The deductible will be based on the amount and the type of policy.
However, you must take preventive measures to make sure you don't get your car stolen in the first place. Here are some tips:
Preventive measures
A car is among the largest investments you'll ever make. It is crucial to take every precaution to protect your vehicle. By taking preventive measures, reduce the chance of theft and increase the odds of regaining your vehicle in the event it's stolen with keys inside.
Installing an anti-theft system that incorporates GPS tracking is among the best ways to ensure your vehicle's safety. These systems use a combination of GPS and wireless technology that allow you to track 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 can help in recovering it.
Another way to prevent theft is to lock the doors and roll up the windows of your car when it's parked even if you're only going to be away for a few minutes. In the U.S., tens of thousands vehicles are stolen each year because owners leave their vehicles unlocked and keys in the ignition. Unlocked vehicles can be accessed by a skilled thief even if the window is only turned just an inch or two inches.
Parking in secured parking garages and parking lots is a great strategy to deter thieves since these facilities are often guarded and have security personnel. Avoid areas with a lot of privacy and that have poor lighting, as they are more likely to attract thieves.
In addition to installing an anti-theft system and a security system, you can also discourage thieves by using visible deterrents to theft, like a steering lock or alarm decals. These will make a would-be thief think twice about entering your vehicle as they'll have to face the additional difficulty of removing or bypassing the device.
If you have valuables or electronics in your vehicle, it is best to keep them as hidden as possible. Items such as chargers for mobile phones, navigation equipment, and electronic cords should be kept out of sight or in the trunk. It's also a good idea to record the serial numbers of expensive equipment or accessories in the event that they are stolen. You can then provide this information to the police as well as your insurance company in the event that they ever find them.
Notifying the police
A car is stolen every 32 seconds, and vehicle theft costs Americans $8 billion a year. In a lot of cases, cars are stolen with keys inside, and it's a problem that's getting worse. This can happen when you leave your car on to warm up or even if you visit the store for a brief time. You can avoid this by getting your valuables out of the 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 better chance of catching the criminal and return your vehicle. Also, it will help ensure that your vehicle is entered into national and state databases for auto theft and will help prevent any future title issues or ownership issues.
Contact your insurance company. You can inquire if your policy will cover thefts of vehicles with keys in the ignition. In most instances the insurance company will reimburse you for your losses if you have comprehensive coverage. If you don't have this coverage switching to a different insurance company could be worth it.
It is crucial to act quickly in submitting a claim for stolen vehicles, with the keys still in the ignition. If you delay too long, the insurance company may deny your claim or question the reason you put the keys in the car. This is because they believe that you didn't take "reasonable care" of your property.
Be aware that documents such as your registration or insurance card can be used to commit identity theft. Some people even keep their paychecks or receipts in their vehicles which could result in fraud. In this instance you must notify your financial institutions. Also, you should monitor your accounts closely. It is also important to inform the police and insurance company if your vehicle was found to be stolen so that they can investigate and prosecute the suspect.
Notifying your insurance company
A lot of people tend to leave their car running when they're rushing out the door to get to the grocery store or take gas. This can result in your vehicle being stolen. This is the reason you must never leave your car in a parking lot when you're not driving it. The best way to stop this from happening is to lock your car doors when you're not using it.
You'll need to inform your insurance company right away if you leave your car without keys and leave it unattended. They might ask you to provide information about the incident, including the location where the vehicle was parked and the time of the theft. This will assist the police find your car and may even recover it.
You can make a claim online with some insurance companies for cars, but it is better to talk to an agent. You can provide more information about the incident, and the back and forth can delay your claim. Your agent might ask for an official copy of the police report and the list of valuables that are in your vehicle. This will help the police in their investigation and will determine if your items are covered under your comprehensive coverage.
If your vehicle is being financed or leased, you'll need to notify your leasing or finance company of the theft. This will prevent them from attempting to seize your car or claim it as stolen. If your car is recovered and has significant damage the comprehensive section of your insurance policy will cover the cost of repairing it.
If your car isn't returned and you decide to make an insurance claim, it can take up 30 days to receive an amount. If you don't have a second vehicle to use in meantime, make sure to check your policy to determine if you have rental reimbursement coverage which can pay for a rental car while you wait. Mark Fitzpatrick is a licensed property and casualty insurance producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has studied the insurance market for over five years and is often quoted in national media.
Inspecting your vehicle
The first thing you need to do when you discover that a vehicle has been taken with keys inside is to confirm that it was indeed stolen. You can do this by calling the non-emergency police department number in your area.
You will need to give them the following details if you choose to do so:
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) The VIN is the number that identifies the vehicle. It is typically located in the driver's side door or near the windshield. The number seven is also stamped on the headlights and the mirrors, making it more difficult for anyone to try to alter the identity of the vehicle.
It is helpful to note any distinctive characteristics of your vehicle. It may be helpful to describe any personal items in the vehicle at the time of theft.
Your Insurance Coverage If you have Comprehensive coverage or specific Perils It will most likely protect your vehicle from theft regardless of whether or not you have left your keys inside. However, if you have Liability only insurance, then this might not be the case.
Many people make the error of running their cars with the key in the ignition while they run errands or getting ready to leave for work early in the morning. This is a recipe for disaster as it only takes a shrewd criminal a few seconds to hop in your vehicle and drive off.
Saturday is the most common day to steal a car with the keys in ignition, get more info followed by Friday and Monday. With Colorado being the top state in the nation 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 purchase a new set of keys than to file an insurance claim for one that was stolen with the key inside. This is especially true if you own an electronic key fob, or smart key, which can be replaced by your local auto dealer for a few hundred bucks. This is less expensive than paying your deductible, and it will eliminate the hassle of having to deal with your insurance company in the future.