10 Car Stolen With Keys Inside That Are Unexpected
10 Car Stolen With Keys Inside That Are Unexpected
Blog Article
Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your vehicle is broken into and the keys still inside, you'll be required to make an insurance claim under comprehensive coverage. The deductible is contingent on the type of policy and limit.
However, you should take precautions to prevent having your car stolen in the first place. Here are a few tips:
Preventive measures
A car is among the biggest investments you'll ever make. It's a good idea to take all available precautions to protect it. Preventive measures can lower the risk of theft and increase your chances to get your car back in the event of theft with the keys inside.
One of the best ways to ensure that your vehicle secure is to install an anti-theft system that comes with a GPS tracking device. These systems combine GPS and wireless technology to allow you to monitor your car. The technology alerts police or monitoring agencies whenever the vehicle moves. They can also locate the vehicle that is damaged or missing which can be helpful in locating it.
Even if you're only planning to be away for a few moments closing the doors and opening the windows is another preventive measure. Tens of thousands of vehicles are stolen each year in the U.S. because the owners leave their vehicles unlocked with keys in the ignition or in another location. A skilled thief can open the vehicle that is locked window that's only rolled up by an inch or two.
Parking in garages and parking areas that are monitored by security guards is a great deterrent to thieves. Avoid areas that are secluded and with poor lighting, since they are more likely to attract thieves.
You can discourage thieves by installing an anti-theft system with visible theft deterrents like a steering-wheel lock or alarm stickers. These devices will make potential thieves think twice about trying to break into your vehicle, as they'll need to remove or bypass 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 devices away from view 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 provide this information to the police and your insurance company in the event that they ever recover them.
Notifying the police
Every 32 seconds a car is stolen and theft of vehicles is a major expense, costing Americans around $8 billion per year. The problem is growing. In many cases, keys are left inside cars after they've been stolen. This can happen if you leave your car on to warm up or even if you just go to the store for a short period of time. But there are things you can do to prevent this from occurring, like removing important items from your vehicle or making sure they are locked out of view.
Notifying the police right away after your vehicle was stolen is also crucial. Doing this will give law enforcement officers a better chance of catching the perpetrator and returning 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.
It is also advisable to contact your insurance company. They can determine if your policy covers the theft of a car with its keys in the ignition. If you have comprehensive insurance your insurer will likely reimburse you for the loss. If you don't have this type of coverage, switching to another insurer could be worth it.
When you file a claim for a stolen car with the keys in the ignition, it's important to act quickly. If you wait too long the insurance company could reject your claim or inquire with the reason you left the keys in the car. This is because they believe that you did not take "reasonable care" of your property.
You should be aware of the risk of identity theft get more info if you have documents in your car, such as your insurance card or registration. Some people even keep their paychecks or receipts in their car which could lead to fraudulent activity. If this is the case, notify your financial institutions and be sure to monitor your accounts carefully. If your car is recovered it is important to notify the police and your insurance company so that they can investigate the theft and pursue the perpetrator.
Notifying your insurance company
A lot of people tend to leave their car running while they're hurrying out the door to run to the store or get gas. Unfortunately, this could result in your car being stolen. This is the reason you must never leave your car unattended when you're not driving it. The best way to avoid this from happening is to lock your vehicle doors when you're not using it.
You must notify your insurance company right away when you leave your vehicle without keys and leave it unattended. They may request you to provide specific details regarding the incident, including the location where the vehicle was abandoned and the date of the theft. This will help the police find your car and may even recover it.
You can file claims online through certain insurance companies for cars, but it is recommended to speak with an agent. You can provide additional details about the incident, and the back-and-forth can delay your claim. Your agent may also request a copy the police report as well as a list of all the valuables that are in your car. This will assist the police with their investigation and help them determine if you are covered under your comprehensive insurance.
It is also important to inform your leasing company or finance company if you own a finance or leasing vehicle. This will stop them from trying to repossess your vehicle or claiming it as stolen. If your car is found and has significant damage, the comprehensive section of your insurance will cover the cost of fixing it.
If you decide to file a claim for your vehicle and it's not returned, the settlement can take up to 30 days. If you don't have a replacement vehicle to use in meantime, you should check your policy to determine whether you have rental reimbursement coverage which can help you pay for a rental vehicle while you wait. Mark Fitzpatrick is a licensed property and casualty insurance producer and the MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has been studying the insurance market since 2005 and is often quoted in national media.
Inspecting your vehicle
The first thing you should do if you suspect that your car has been stolen with keys inside is to verify that it was indeed stolen. You can do this by calling the number of the police department that is non-emergency in your area.
You'll have to provide them the following information if you do so:
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) - It is typically located in the driver's side door or in the vicinity of the windshield. The last seven digits are also stamped on the headlights and the mirrors, making it even more difficult for anyone to change the identity of the vehicle.
Unique Features - If there is something that makes your vehicle appear different from other vehicles similar to it this could be helpful. A description of any personal belongings that were in the vehicle when it was taken can be useful.
Your Insurance Coverage - If you have Comprehensive or specified Perils coverage, this will likely cover the vehicle's theft regardless of whether or not you put your keys in it. If you only have liability insurance, this might not be the case.
Many people make the error of leaving their cars running with the key in the ignition when they are running errands, or getting ready to work in the morning. This is a recipe of disaster, since it only takes a few moments to jump in the car and drive off.
Saturday is the most popular day to steal a vehicle with the keys in ignition, followed by Friday and Monday. With Colorado being 1st in the nation for car thefts, leaving your vehicle puffing could be a tempting target for opportunistic criminals.
It is usually cheaper to purchase a brand new set than to file an insurance claim if the original key was stolen. This is true especially when you have an electronic key fob or smart key, that can be replaced by your local auto dealer for a few hundred dollars. This is less expensive than paying your deductible, and you'll avoid dealing with the insurance company in future.