Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your car is broken into and the keys still inside, you'll need to submit an insurance claim under comprehensive coverage. The deductible will depend on the policy type and limit.
However, you should take preventive measures to make sure you don't get your vehicle stolen in first place. Here are a few tips:
Preventive measures
A vehicle is the largest investment you'll ever make. It is advisable to take every precaution to protect it. Preventive measures can lower the chance of theft and increase your chances to get your car back if it is stolen with the keys inside.
One of the most effective ways to keep your vehicle secure is to install an anti-theft device that comes with a GPS tracking device. These systems integrate GPS and wireless technology to enable you to monitor your car. The technology alerts police or a monitoring service when the car is moved. They can also track vehicles that are damaged or missing and assist in recovering it.
Even if you're just going to be away for a short time 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 cars unlocked with their keys in the ignition or elsewhere. Unlocked vehicles can be accessed by a skilled burglar even in the case that the window is just turned one inch or two inches.
Parking in garages and parking lots that are supervised by security personnel is a great deterrent for thieves. Avoid secluded areas and those with poor lighting, as these are more likely to attract thieves.
You can discourage thieves by installing an anti-theft system by using visible theft deterrents such as a steering-wheel lock or alarm stickers. These devices can make potential thieves think twice about breaking into your car and will have to take off or bypass the device.
Keep electronics and valuables hidden as often as you can in your car. Items such as chargers for mobile phones as well as navigation equipment and electronic cords should be kept out of sight or in the trunk. It's an excellent idea to keep track of the serial numbers of any expensive equipment or accessories in the event that they are stolen. You can then give this information to the police and your insurance company in the event that they ever find them.
Notifying the police
Every 32 seconds a car is stolen, and vehicle theft is a major expense, costing Americans approximately $8 billion per year. The problem is becoming more severe. In many instances keys are thrown away in cars when they are stolen. This could happen if you leave your car on to warm it up, or even if you visit the store for a brief time. You can prevent this from happening 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 gives the police a better chance of catching the criminal and return your vehicle. Additionally, it will ensure that your vehicle is registered into the state and national auto theft databases, which can prevent future ownership issues or title issues.
Contact your insurance company. They will be able to inform you if your policy covers theft of a car with its keys in the ignition. If you have comprehensive insurance your insurer will likely pay for the loss. If you don't have this insurance you might want to thinking about switching to a different insurance company.
It's important to move quickly when claiming a stolen vehicle with the keys still in the ignition. If you wait too long the insurance company could reject your claim or inquire with your motives for having left the keys in your car. They will claim that you haven't taken "reasonable" care of your property.
Be aware of the potential for identity theft if there are documents in your car, like your insurance card or registration. Some people keep paychecks or receipts in their vehicles, which can lead to fraud. If this is the case, you should inform your financial institutions and keep track of your accounts carefully. If your car is found it is important to notify the police and your insurance company so that they can investigate the theft and bring charges against the suspect.
Notifying your insurance company
Many people tend to leave their car running when they rush out of the door to run into the store or to take gas. Unfortunately, this can result in your car being stolen. You should never leave your car unattended while not driving. The best way to stop this from happening is to lock your car doors when you're not in it.
If you do happen to leave your vehicle unattended, with the keys inside, you'll need to inform your insurance company as soon as you can. You might be asked to provide details about the incident, including the location of the vehicle and when it was stolen. This will assist the police find your car and may even recover it.
You can file an online claim with certain car insurance companies, but it is better to talk to an agent. This will allow you to provide more precise details about the incident and reduce the amount of back-andforth that can delay your claim. Your agent can also request a copy of the police report along with an inventory of all the valuables in your car. This will aid the police in their investigation here and determine if your items are covered under your comprehensive coverage.
If your vehicle is owned by a finance company or leased, you'll want to inform your leasing company or finance company of the theft. This will stop them from attempting to take possession or claim your car. If your car is found with significant damage, your comprehensive insurance will cover the cost of fixing it.
If your car isn't returned and you choose to file an insurance claim, it could take up 30 days to receive a settlement. Make sure to check your policy to determine whether you have rental reimbursement coverage to cover the cost of a car rental while you wait. Mark Fitzpatrick is a licensed producer of property and casualty insurance and the MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years and is frequently quoted in national media.
Inspection of your car
If a vehicle is stolen with keys inside the vehicle, the first thing to ensure is that the vehicle was stolen. Contacting the non-emergency number for your local police department can aid you in this.
You will need to give 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 driver's door or in the vicinity of 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 useful to note any distinctive features of your vehicle. A description of any personal items that were inside the vehicle when it was stolen could be useful.
Your Insurance Coverage - If you have Comprehensive or Specific Perils coverage, this will likely cover the theft of your vehicle regardless of whether or not you put keys inside it. However, if you have Liability only insurance, then this might not be the situation.
Many people make the error of running their cars with the key in the ignition when they are running errands, or getting ready to leave to work 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.
Saturday is the most popular day to steal a car that has keys in the ignition, followed by Friday and Monday. With Colorado being 1st in the country for car thefts, leaving your vehicle puffing can be an inviting target for opportunistic criminals.
It is usually cheaper to buy a new set of keys than to make an insurance claim for one that was stolen with the key in it. This is especially true in the case of an electronic key fob or smart key, which can be replaced by your local auto dealer for a few hundred bucks. This is cheaper than paying the deductible and it will eliminate the hassle of having to deal with your insurance company in the future.