Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your vehicle is broken into and the keys still inside, you will have to file an insurance claim under comprehensive coverage. The deductible will depend on the amount and type of policy.
However, it is important to take precautions to prevent having your vehicle stolen in the first place. Here are some suggestions:
Preventive measures to take
A vehicle is the largest investment you'll ever make. It's a good idea to take every precaution to safeguard it. Preventive measures can help you reduce the likelihood of theft and increase your chances of regaining your vehicle in the event of theft with keys inside.
One of the best ways to ensure that your vehicle safe is to install an anti-theft device that includes an GPS tracking device. These systems make use of a combination of GPS and wireless technologies that allow you to track your vehicle. The technology alerts the police or monitoring services when the vehicle is moved. They are also able to locate a lost or damaged vehicle, which could aid in locating it.
Another preventive measure is to lock the doors and close the windows of your vehicle when you park it even if you're only going to be away for a few minutes. Tens of thousands of vehicles are taken each year in the U.S. because the owners leave their cars unlocked with keys in the ignition or elsewhere. A skilled thief is able to open an unlocked car through a window that is only rolled up a few inches.
Parking in garages and parking lots which are monitored by security guards is a great deterrent to thieves. You should also avoid dark and secluded areas as they are more likely to be targeted by thieves.
In addition to installing an anti-theft device, you can also deter thieves with visible deterrents to theft, like a steering lock or alarm decals. They can make a potential burglar think twice before trying to break into your car because they'll have endure the burden of removing or avoiding the device.
If you have valuables or electronics in your vehicle, hide them as much as possible. Things such as chargers for mobile phones, navigation equipment, and electronic cords should be kept out of sight or in the trunk. You should also record the serial number of any expensive accessory or equipment in the event that it is stolen. You can then give this information to the police and 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. This problem is getting worse. In many cases keys are left in vehicles when they are stolen. This could happen if 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 taking your valuables out of your car and locking them away.
It is also crucial to inform the police as soon as your vehicle is stolen. By doing this, you provide law enforcement officers with a better chance of catching the perpetrator and returning your vehicle. Also, it can help ensure that your vehicle is enrolled into state and national database of auto theft, which can prevent future title issues or ownership problems.
Contact your insurance company. You can ask them if your policy will cover thefts of vehicles with keys in the ignition. If you have comprehensive insurance your insurer will likely pay for the loss. If you don't have this coverage you might want to thinking about switching to a different insurance company.
It's important to move quickly when filing a claim on a stolen vehicle with the keys still in the ignition. If you put off action for too long, the insurance company may reject your claim or inquire with you as to why you put the keys in the car. They believe you have not taken "reasonable" care of your property.
You should also be aware of the possibility 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 lead them to commit fraud. In this situation, you need to alert your financial institutions. You should also monitor your accounts closely. 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 company
Many people have a tendency to leave their car running while they're hurrying out the door to make a quick run to the grocery store or get gas. This can cause your car to be stolen. It is a bad idea to leave your car in the garage unattended when you're not in use. To avoid this, secure your car's doors when you are not in the car.
You'll need to notify your insurance company as soon as possible if you leave your car unattended and the keys inside. They might ask you to provide specific details regarding the incident, such as where the car was left and the time of the theft. It's important that you provide this information so that the police can track your vehicle and hopefully recover it.
Some car insurers have online systems through which you can submit a claim, but it is best to contact and speak with an agent. You can provide additional details about the incident, and the back and forth can delay your claim. Your agent might ask for an official copy of the police report as well as an inventory of the valuables in your vehicle. This will read more assist the police with their investigation and will determine whether your belongings are covered under your comprehensive coverage.
If your vehicle is being financed or leased, you'll need to inform your leasing or finance company of the theft. This will stop them from trying to repossess your vehicle or claim it. If your car is recovered with significant damage the comprehensive portion of your insurance will pay for the repair it.
If your vehicle isn't returned and you decide to file an insurance claim, it may take up to 30 days before you receive a settlement. Make sure to check your policy to determine whether you have a rental reimbursement insurance policy that will cover the cost of a car rental while you are waiting. Mark Fitzpatrick, MoneyGeek's head of insurance and a licensed property-casualty insurance company, is an expert in the field. He has been studying the insurance market since 2005 and is often quoted in national media.
Check the condition of your vehicle
The first thing you should do when a car has been stolen with keys inside is to verify that it was actually stolen. Contacting the non-emergency number for your local police department can aid you in this.
You'll need to provide them the following details if you choose to do so:
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a number that can be found on the back of the vehicle. This is usually found in the door to the driver's side or near the windshield. The seven digits that make up the last seven are placed on the headlights and the mirrors, making it even more difficult for anyone to try to alter the identity of the vehicle.
Particular Specifications - If there's anything that makes your vehicle look different from others of the same type, this can be helpful. It is helpful to describe any personal items that were in the vehicle at the time it was stolen.
Your Insurance Coverage: If you have Comprehensive coverage or Specific Perils, it will likely cover theft of the vehicle regardless of whether or not you have left your keys inside. However, if you're covered with Liability-only insurance, this might not be the situation.
Many people make the error of leaving their vehicles running with the ignition on 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 only a few seconds to jump into your vehicle and drive off.
The most common day for car thefts with keys in the ignition is on Saturday, followed by Monday and Friday. With Colorado being 1st in the nation for car thefts, leaving your vehicle puffing could be a tempting victim for criminals who are looking for opportunities.
It is often cheaper to pay for a new set of keys rather than submit 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 your deductible, and you'll not have to deal with the insurance company in future.