Car Stolen With Keys Inside Tools To Help You Manage Your Day-To-Day Life
Car Stolen With Keys Inside Tools To Help You Manage Your Day-To-Day Life
Blog Article
Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your car is taken with the keys inside, you'll need to make a claim under comprehensive coverage. The deductible is contingent on the policy type and the amount.
However, it is important to take precautions to prevent having your vehicle stolen in the first place. Here are a few suggestions:
Taking preventive measures
A vehicle is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make. It is advisable to take every precaution to safeguard it. Prevention can decrease the risk of theft and increase your chances of get your car back if it is stolen with keys inside.
One of the best ways to keep your vehicle safe is to install an anti-theft device that comes with the GPS tracking device. These systems make use of GPS and wireless technologies to allow you to monitor your vehicle. The technology alerts the police or monitoring services when the vehicle is moved. They can also track a damaged or missing vehicle and assist in locating it.
Another preventive measure is to lock the doors and roll up the windows of your vehicle while it is parked, even if you are only going to be away for a short period of time. In the U.S., tens of thousands of vehicles are taken away every year due to owners leaving their cars unlocked and their keys in the ignition. Unlocked cars can be opened by a skilled burglar even in the case that the window is just turned one inch or two.
Parking in secure parking garages and parking lots is a great strategy to deter thieves, as these facilities are often guarded and have security personnel. Avoid dark and secluded areas as they are more likely to be targeted by thieves.
In addition to installing an anti-theft device it is also possible to deter thieves by using visible deterrents to theft, like a steering wheel lock or alarm decals. 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.
Make sure to hide electronics and valuables as much as you can in your car. Keep things like electronic cords chargers for phones and navigational equipment away from sight, or put them in the trunk. It is an excellent idea to keep track of the serial numbers of any expensive equipment or accessories in case they are stolen. If they ever are discovered, you can give the information to your insurance company and the police.
Notifying the police
A car is stolen every 32 seconds, and vehicle theft costs Americans $8 billion each year. This problem is getting worse. In many cases, keys are left inside vehicles when they are stolen. It could happen if you leave your car running to warm up or when you're going to the store for a few minutes. However, there are some things you can do to avoid this occurring, like removing important items from your vehicle or locking them out of sight.
Notifying the police right away after your vehicle has been stolen is also crucial. This will provide law enforcement officers with a better chance of catching the perpetrator and returning your vehicle. Also, it will help ensure that your vehicle is entered into the state and national database of auto theft that can help avoid future ownership issues or title issues.
Contact your insurance company. They can determine if your policy covers theft of a vehicle with its keys in the ignition. In the majority of cases, the insurance company will compensate you for your loss if you have comprehensive coverage. If you don't have this insurance it might be worth thinking about switching to a different insurance company.
If you are filing an insurance claim against a vehicle that was stolen with keys in the ignition, it's important to act swiftly. If you delay too long the insurance company could deny your claim or question you as to why you left the keys in the car. This is due to the fact that they believe that you didn't take "reasonable care" of your property.
Be aware that documents like your registration or insurance card can lead to identity theft. Some people keep receipts or paychecks in their cars, which may cause them to commit fraud. In this instance, you need to alert your financial institutions. You should also monitor your accounts closely. If your car is found it is important to notify the police and your insurance company to allow them to investigate the theft and pursue the suspect.
Notifying your insurance company
Many people have a tendency to let their car run when they rush out the door to get to the grocery store or get gas. Unfortunately, this can cause your car to be 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 prevent this from happening is to lock your car doors whenever you're not in it.
If you do leave your vehicle unattended, with the keys inside, you'll need to inform your insurance company as soon as you can. They might ask you to provide specific details regarding the incident, including the location where the vehicle was abandoned and the time of the theft. It's crucial to provide this information so that police can locate your car and hopefully recover it.
Some car insurance companies have online platforms where you can submit a claim, but it is best to call and speak with an agent. You can provide more details about the incident, and the back and forth could delay your claim. Your agent may also request a copy the police report as well as an inventory of all the valuables that are in your car. This will help the police with their investigation and assist them to determine if you are covered by your comprehensive insurance.
It is also important to inform your leasing company or finance firm if you have a financed or leased vehicle. This will prevent them from attempting to repossess or claim your car. If your vehicle is reclaimed and has significant damage, the comprehensive section of your policy will cover the cost of fixing it.
If you decide to file a claim on your car and it is not returned the settlement can take up to 30 days. Make sure to check your policy to determine whether you have rental reimbursement coverage to cover the cost of a car rental while you are waiting. Mark Fitzpatrick is a licensed producer of insurance for property and casualty and the Head of MoneyGeek's 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 car has been stolen with the keys inside is to verify that it was indeed stolen. You can do this by calling the non-emergency police department number in your area.
You'll have to provide them the following information if you do so:
The Vehicle Identification Number is usually found in the driver's door or near to the windshield. The last seven digits of the VIN are also engraved onto the mirrors and headlights in order to make it even harder for anyone who tries to alter the vehicle's identity.
It is helpful to note any distinctive characteristics of your vehicle. A description of any personal belongings that were inside the vehicle when it was stolen could be useful.
Your Insurance Coverage - If you have Comprehensive or specified Perils coverage, it will likely cover the theft of your vehicle regardless of whether or not you have left keys inside it. However, if you're covered with Liability-only insurance, this may not be the situation.
Many people make the error of leaving their vehicles running with the ignition on when they are running errands, or getting ready to leave for work in the morning. This is a recipe of disaster, since it only takes a criminal just a few minutes to get in the car and drive off.
Saturday is the most popular day to steal a car that has the keys in ignition followed by Friday and Monday. Colorado is the most popular state for car thefts. Leaving your vehicle puffing could be an invitation for criminals.
It is usually cheaper to purchase a new set than to make an insurance claim if the original key was stolen. This is especially true if you have an electronic key fob or smart key that is easily replaced at your auto dealership for just a few hundred dollars. This is less expensive than paying your deductible and it will eliminate the stress of website dealing with your insurance company in the future.