How To Tell If You're Prepared For Car Stolen With Keys Inside
How To Tell If You're Prepared For Car Stolen With Keys Inside
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 type of policy and the limit.
You should take precautions to prevent your car from being stolen. Here are some suggestions:
Preventive measures
A vehicle is one of the largest investments you will ever make. It's a good idea to take all available precautions to safeguard it. Preventive measures can reduce the chance of theft and increase your chances of recover your car when it's stolen with the keys inside.
One of the best ways to keep your vehicle safe is to install an anti-theft system that comes with an GPS tracking device. These systems combine GPS and wireless technology to enable you to keep an eye on your vehicle. The technology alerts the police or monitoring services when the vehicle is moved. They also have the capability to locate a lost or damaged vehicle, which could help in recovering it.
Even if you're just going to be gone for a short period of time, locking the doors and opening the windows is another preventive measure. Tens of thousands of vehicles are taken each year in the U.S. because the owners leave their cars unlocked by leaving keys in the ignition or somewhere else. A skilled burglar can gain access to an unlocked car through a window that is only rolled up a few inches.
Parking in garages and parking areas that are monitored by security personnel is a great deterrent to thieves. Avoid secluded areas and those with poor lighting, as these are more likely to attract 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 can make a potential thief reconsider breaking into your car and will have to take off or bypass the device.
Hide valuables and electronics as often as you can in your car. Items like mobile phone chargers or navigation equipment, as well as electronic cords should be kept out of view or in the trunk. It is also a good idea to keep track of the serial numbers of expensive equipment or accessories in case they are stolen. You can then provide this information to the police and your insurance company in the event that they ever find them.
Notifying the police
A car is stolen every 32 seconds, and vehicle theft costs Americans $8 billion each year. In many cases, cars are stolen with keys inside, and it's an issue that is getting more serious. It could happen if you leave your car running to warm it up or if you're just going to the grocery store for a few minutes. However, there are some ways to avoid this happening, such as taking important items from your vehicle or making sure they are locked out of view.
Notifying the police as soon as you know your vehicle is stolen is also crucial. Doing this will give law enforcement officers a better chance of catching the culprit and returning your vehicle. Also, it will help ensure that your vehicle is registered into the state and national auto theft databases that can help avoid future title or ownership issues.
You should also call your insurance company. They will be able to tell you whether your policy covers theft of a vehicle that has its keys in the ignition. In most instances the insurance company will compensate you for your losses if you have comprehensive coverage. If you don't have this insurance you might want to thinking about switching to a different insurer.
It's crucial to act quickly when filing a claim on a stolen vehicle with the keys still in the ignition. If you delay too long, the insurance company might deny your claim. They could also ask the reason you put the keys of your car inside. They will conclude that you have not taken "reasonable" care of your property.
Be aware that documents such as your insurance or registration card can be used to commit identity theft. Some people even keep their paychecks or receipts in their car which could result in fraudulent transactions. If this is the case, alert your financial institutions and keep track of your accounts carefully. You should also inform the police and insurance company if your vehicle was found to be stolen so that they can investigate and prosecute the suspect.
Notifying your insurance company
Many people tend to let their car run when they rush out of the door to run to the grocery store or get gas. This can result in your car being stolen. It is a bad idea to leave your car in the garage unattended when you're not in use. The best way to avoid this from happening is to lock your vehicle doors when you're not in it.
If you do happen to leave your vehicle in the garage unattended with keys in the car, you'll want to inform your insurance company as quickly as possible. You may be asked to provide specifics about the incident including the location where the vehicle was left and when it was stolen. This will assist the police find your car and may even recover it.
Some car insurers have online systems where you can make a claim, but it's best to call and speak with an agent. This will allow you to provide more precise details about the incident and reduce the amount of back and forth that can delay your claim. Your agent might ask for a copy the police report and a list of valuables in your vehicle. This will aid the police with their investigation and help them determine if you are covered under your comprehensive insurance.
You should also inform your leasing company or finance firm if you own a loaned or leasing vehicle. This will prevent them from attempting to take possession or reclaim your car. If your vehicle is reclaimed and is damaged the comprehensive portion of your insurance policy will cover the cost of repairing it.
If you decide to file a claim against your car and it is not refunded, the settlement can be up to 30 days. If you don't have another vehicle to use in meantime, check your policy to see if you have rental reimbursement coverage which can pay for a rental car while you are waiting. Mark Fitzpatrick, MoneyGeek's head of insurance and a licensed property-casualty insurance company is an expert in the field. He has studied the insurance market for over five years and is often quoted in national media.
Inspecting your vehicle
If you find a car stolen with keys inside, the first thing you have to do is verify that the vehicle was stolen. Contacting the non-emergency number for your local police department will help you do this.
You'll have to provide them the following information if you do so:
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) - This is more info usually found in the driver's door or near the windshield. The number seven is also placed on the headlights and the mirrors, making it even more difficult for anyone to try to change the identity of the vehicle.
Particular Specifications - If there's anything that makes your vehicle look different from others of the same type, this can be helpful. A description of any personal belongings that were inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen could be useful.
Your Insurance Coverage If you have Comprehensive coverage or specific Perils It will most likely cover theft of the vehicle regardless of whether you have left your keys inside. If you only have liability insurance, this might not be the case.
Many people make the mistake of leaving their cars running with the ignition key on while running errands or getting ready for work early in the morning. This is a recipe for disaster because it only takes an opportunistic criminal a few seconds to hop in your vehicle and leave.
The most common day for car thefts that have keys in the ignition is on Saturday followed by Monday and Friday. Colorado is the number one state for car thefts. Leaving your vehicle puffing could be a beckon for criminals.
It is generally cheaper to purchase a brand new set than to file an insurance claim if the original key was stolen. This is especially true when you have an electronic key fob or a smart key that can be easily replaced at your auto dealership for a few hundred dollars. This is cheaper than paying your deductible, and you'll not have to deal with the insurance company in future.