Why Car Stolen With Keys Inside Isn't As Easy As You Think
Why Car Stolen With Keys Inside Isn't As Easy As You Think
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Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your car is stolen with the keys inside, you'll need to submit a claim for comprehensive coverage. The amount of deductible is contingent on the limit and type of policy.
However, you should take preventive measures to make sure you don't get your vehicle stolen in first place. Here are some helpful tips:
Preventive measures
A vehicle is the largest investment you will make. It's best to take every precaution to protect it. Prevention can decrease the risk of theft and increase the chances that you recover your car if it is stolen with the keys inside.
Installing an anti-theft device with GPS tracking is one of the best methods to ensure the safety of your vehicle. These systems integrate GPS and wireless technology to enable you to keep an eye on your car. The technology alerts police or monitoring agencies when the vehicle is moved. They can also locate a damaged or missing vehicle which can be helpful in recovering it.
Even if you're only planning to be away for a short period of time closing the doors and opening the windows is a good measure. Tens of thousands of vehicles are stolen every year in the U.S. because the owners leave their cars unlocked by leaving their keys in the ignition or somewhere else. A skilled thief is able to open the vehicle that is locked window that's only rolled up an inch or two.
Parking in secure parking garages and parking lots is a great strategy to deter thieves, since these facilities are often guarded and have security personnel. Avoid secluded and poorly lit 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 with visible deterrents to theft, like a steering lock or alarm decals. They can make a potential thief think twice about breaking into your vehicle because they'll have endure the difficulty of removing or bypassing the security device.
If you have valuables or electronics in your vehicle, you should put them in the most secure place possible. Keep things like electronic cords, chargers for phones, and navigational equipment away from sight or in the trunk. It's also a good idea to keep track of the serial numbers of any expensive equipment or accessories in case they are stolen. If they're ever found, you may provide the information to your insurance company as well as the police.
Notifying the police
Every 32 seconds a vehicle is stolen and vehicle theft costs Americans around $8 billion annually. This problem is getting worse. In many cases 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 just go into the store for a brief period of time. You can prevent this by removing valuables from your vehicle and locking them.
It's also essential to notify the police immediately if your vehicle is stolen. This will provide law enforcement officers with the best chance of catching the perpetrator and returning your vehicle. It will also help to ensure that your car is included in the auto-theft national and state databases, which can prevent any future title or ownership issues.
You should also call your insurance company. You can ask them whether your policy covers thefts of vehicles with the keys in the ignition. In most instances the insurance company will compensate you for your losses in the event that you have a comprehensive insurance. If you don't have this coverage you might want to looking into switching to a different insurer.
If you are filing an insurance claim against an unintentionally stolen vehicle with keys in the ignition, you need to act fast. If you put off action for too long the insurance company could deny your claim or question your motives for having left the keys in the car. They will conclude that you have not taken "reasonable" care of your property.
It is important to be aware that documents like your insurance card or registration can be used to commit identity theft. Some people even keep paychecks or receipts in their cars which could result in fraudulent activity. In this case you should notify your financial institutions. You should also keep an eye on your accounts carefully. If your car is recovered, you should also notify the police and your insurance company to allow them to investigate the theft and pursue the culprit.
Notifying your insurance company
Many people leave their car running while they rush out the door for a quick trip to the supermarket or the gas station. Unfortunately, this can result in your car being stolen. This is the reason you must never leave your car unattended when you're not using it. The best way to avoid this from happening is to lock your vehicle doors whenever you're not in it.
You must notify your insurance company right away when you leave your vehicle without keys and leave it unattended. You might be asked to provide specifics about the incident including where the vehicle was left and when it was stolen. It is crucial to do this so police can locate your vehicle and hopefully recover it.
You can submit a claim online with some insurance companies, however it is better to talk to an agent. This will enable you to provide more specific details about the incident and cut down on the amount of back-and-forth that could delay your claim. Your agent can also request a copy the police report along with a list of all the valuables in your car. This will assist the police with their investigation and help determine if you are covered by your comprehensive insurance.
If your vehicle is being financed or leased, you'll want to inform your leasing or finance company of the theft. This will stop them from attempting to take possession or reclaim your car. If your vehicle is discovered damaged, your comprehensive insurance will cover the costs of fixing it.
If you decide to file a claim on your car, and it's not returned the settlement can take up to thirty days. If you don't have another vehicle to use in the meantime, you should check your policy to determine if you have rental reimbursement coverage that can provide a car rental while you wait. Mark Fitzpatrick is a licensed producer of property and casualty insurance and the Head of MoneyGeek's Insurance. He has been analyzing the insurance market since 2005 and is frequently quoted in national media.
Check the condition of your vehicle
The first thing you must do when a vehicle is stolen with keys inside is to verify that it was actually stolen. Calling the non-emergency number of your local police department will assist you in this.
You'll have to provide them the following details if you decide to do this:
The Vehicle Identification Number is usually located in the driver's door or near to the windshield. The seven digits that make up the last seven are printed on the headlights as well as the mirrors, making it more difficult for anyone to try to alter the identity of the vehicle.
It can be useful to note any distinctive characteristics of your vehicle. It can be useful to document any personal items found in the vehicle at the time it was stolen.
Your Insurance Coverage - If you have Comprehensive or Specific Perils coverage, this will likely cover the vehicle's theft regardless of whether or not you left your keys in it. If you only have liability insurance, this might not be true.
Many people make this mistake when they run for errands or getting ready for 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 car and leave.
The most frequent day for car thefts that have keys in the ignition is Saturday, followed by Monday and Friday. Colorado is the number one state for car thefts. Leaving your vehicle puffing could be an invitation for criminals.
It is generally cheaper to purchase a 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, which can be replaced by your local auto dealer for a few click here hundred bucks. This is less expensive than paying your deductible, and you will avoid dealing with the insurance company in the future.