If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
As long as you have adequate coverage your insurance policy will cover your stolen vehicle even if you have left the keys in it. However the insurance company will conduct a fraud investigation to see whether you were negligent in causing the theft.
The most effective thing to do is start a claim as soon as you are aware that your vehicle has been stolen. Your insurance claim will be denied if you wait.
1. Don't panic!
It is essential to be calm and avoid making mistakes that could cause the situation to get worse. The first thing you should do is call the police. Once you do, provide them with the most complete information you can about the vehicle, including the model, make and license plate number. It is also important to inform them if you have any valuables in your vehicle, including laptops, a identification badges for work or other personal items.
The police will provide you with the most accurate information about the vehicle that was stolen and the steps they intend to take next. They may even be able to locate your vehicle for you or they might be able to catch the thieves who took it.
Many people forget to lock their cars or close the windows, particularly if they are in a hurry or have children in the car. While it might seem like a silly mistake to make but it's actually quite easy to make and often has devastating consequences. In these instances thieves simply get into the driver's seat and drive off as if it was their own car. If nobody knows it's not the owner thieves could drive for a long time before being stopped by police.
Another common error that is easy to make is to leave keys in the ignition or leaving a spare key hidden on your property or in your personal possessions. This could be extremely dangerous because it makes the vehicle more easy to start and escape with. This happens most often when people visit an establishment to buy something or leave the car running while they're the store. Other mistakes that are common include running the car while it is warming up or rushing to the gas station to pay for fuel.
In order to avoid these mistakes it is vital to take proactive measures to avoid them in the future. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, ranging from installing an alarm system, to parking in well-lit areas. Certain automakers also provide security features to deter thieves and prevent them from starting their cars. These range from a simple alarm that sounds to the car, or more sophisticated devices that use GPS technology to locate the car.
2. Call the police
It is your obligation as a car owner to report any attempted or real theft. Your police department will be capable of providing you with information on the steps to do next. They may also offer advice around protecting your vehicle in the future, like installing an electronic lock on your wheel. They can also provide you with a crime reference number that could assist you in contacting your insurance company.
It is crucial to provide as much detail as you can when reporting the theft of a vehicle. Make sure to provide the exact information to your insurance company as well as the police. This helps to increase the chances that your car is returned or found.
You must be prepared to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN), the license plate number, the year, make and model of your vehicle, along with any other distinctive features. If your vehicle has an GPS tracking device, or other anti-theft device, make sure to include it in addition to.
A third aspect that is vital is the presence of any personal items inside the vehicle at the time that the theft occurred. This could include your purse, wallet, or any other item that contains personal information. For this reason, it's an excellent idea to inform credit card companies, banks and other companies who could be involved in the instance of a lost item in your car.
You should also notify your homeowners or renters insurer if any of your personal property was stolen. This is because this kind of property is usually covered under the personal property section of these policies, whereas auto insurance covers only damage to your vehicle.
There is no way to avoid an auto burglary, but you can reduce your risk by removing valuables from your car by locking the doors and rolling up the windows at all times. It's also important to always keep a spare set keys somewhere else than your vehicle. Also, you should review your insurance policy annually to ensure you have adequate coverage.
If you have a comprehensive insurance policy the insurance company will pay for the loss of your vehicle without deductibles, minus any applicable. Liability insurance doesn't cover car thefts so make sure you have comprehensive coverage before lending your vehicle to anyone.
3. Do not attempt to search for your vehicle alone
As a car owner, you are responsible to protect your property. It is essential to secure your vehicle, even if you're not in the vehicle. It's essential to lock your car every time you leave and to open the windows fully up. It's also best to avoid leaving your spare keys in the car, or anywhere else that could be a target for criminals.
One of the most common reasons for car thefts is that people forget to leave a spare key near or inside the vehicle. This is a simple error that can have serious consequences particularly in the present day.
Modern thieves have advanced beyond the old hotwiring techniques you might encounter in action films, and are using more sophisticated tactics to steal vehicles. This is a relay attack, where two thieves utilize electronic devices to intercept the signal of the owner's keyfob, then unlock the car, and take it away.
The good news is that the police are beginning to use more effective technology in order to track down thieves that attempt to steal cars with their keys inside. Some companies offer to install an electronic device to track your vehicle which can transmit the exact location of your vehicle to the police. This will reduce the likelihood and frequency of thefts.
You might also want to install an immobilizer to stop your car from being started. This will make it more difficult for thieves to take your vehicle. You can also determine whether someone tried to start your car by calling the police.
If you decide to track down the vehicle you lost do not attempt to find it on your own. This could cause more damage and could lead to the theft of other belongings in your vehicle, including your personal belongings. Instead, you should contact your insurance company and inform them that your car was stolen with the keys inside. Also, inform them about any personal items inside the car at the time of the theft, such as mail or a purse that holds credit cards, cash or office badges, or any other forms of identification.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have a comprehensive auto insurance policy (which typically covers a wide variety of events, including theft), it is important to contact your insurer and make an insurance claim as soon as you can. This will assist them in getting started with the investigation and ensure that you are covered if your car is stolen or damaged.
You should give your insurance company all the details you can remember about your car like the year, make and model as well as the license plate number; the VIN (vehicle identification number) and where you last saw it. It is also helpful to include details about how the theft occurred and at what time of the day it was, and if there was any snow or rain. If you aren't sure of any of the above information it is possible to request the police to look up their records for the information you need.
In some cases it may be necessary to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. This will prevent the thief from using your vehicle in any manner that is in violation of the law or cause damage to another property.
When you call your insurance company, you will be required to bring the police report with you so that they can get started on the investigation. Also, you must be prepared to provide any other details required by your insurance agent.
You may be check here able to claim personal items you have stolen from your car through your renters' or homeowners insurance, based on the area you reside in. In addition, you must notify your finance or leasing company to inform them that the vehicle was reported stolen.
Even though this is a terrible situation to be in, it's essential to remain calm and act quickly. These tips will help you do this, and hopefully will result in your car getting back in a safe and secure manner to you. If you do have to make a claim for a stolen car with keys in it the best thing you can do is work with an independent insurance agent who will guide you through the process and help you find discounts to make the whole ordeal as painless as possible.