Car Stolen With Keys: The Ugly Facts About Car Stolen With Keys
Car Stolen With Keys: The Ugly Facts About Car Stolen With Keys
Blog Article
Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
It may seem like a negative thing to leave your car keys in the ignition however, is insurance covered for cars that are stolen with keys inside them? Generally, yes. However there are some caveats.
First, ensure that your vehicle is truly missing prior to filing claims. The claim process begins with a police report and a thorough description of the vehicle.
1. Call the Police
With car thefts rising across the nation and Colorado being the top state for per capita thefts, it's essential to take precautionary measures to protect your vehicle and its contents. This includes locking your vehicle, setting up an alert and removing all keys and fobs from the vehicle while you're not driving. It's also a good idea to hide valuables in the vehicle, or even better to remove the vehicle altogether. However, even if you've taken precautionary measures, you may still be a victim of a crime that is a matter of opportunity. If your vehicle is taken and you have the key inside follow these steps to report it to the police and to your insurer.
When your vehicle is reported stolen, you must contact the police immediately to submit a theft report. The more details you can provide to the police regarding your vehicle, such as its model and make, license plate number, VIN and identification features, the greater chances it has of being returned to you. Let the police know if your vehicle is equipped with a GPS device.
After you've filed a police report, contact your insurance company to inform them about the theft. You can make this call or online, depending on the policies of your insurance provider. Input your policy number, the car's model and make, as well as any identifying details (like large damage or custom-made add-ons) and the date and the location of the theft. Inform your agent if your vehicle is equipped with other technologies, such as GPS tracking, which could help them locate your vehicle.
Don't forget to provide your insurance company and the police with the same information. Any discrepancies can delay the process of processing your claims. The insurance company may also make use of this information to determine whether or not to settle claims if you owe a lot of money. This is why it's best to not leave any personal documents or information in your vehicle, like receipts for credit cards, receipts for purchases and pay stubs. If you do leave this information in your car, be sure to notify your bank, credit card companies and other companies of the theft so they can put a halt to any charges that are not authorized and alert their security departments.
2. Call Your Insurance Company
It's not a secret that car theft is on the rise. In reality, thousands of cars are taken with the owner's keys inside every year. It's not just bad luck. You can reduce this crime by putting in more security measures to your vehicle.
Contact your insurance company right away after the loss. Your insurer can provide you with a car rental while you wait for your vehicle to be recovered or compensate you if it isn't. They will be able to provide you with specifics of your policy as well as answer any questions. You should also make a police complaint containing the name and phone number of the officer who investigated the incident and the time and date.
Include all pertinent information about your vehicle, such as its make and model and an in-depth description of the items stolen. Be sure to include the name as well as the number and details of anyone who may have had access to your vehicle or valuables inside. This information will assist the police investigate and stop fraudulent attempts. It may be necessary to run a credit check as well. This is to make sure you don't have a lot of debt which could create suspicions and make it difficult to get an acceptable settlement for your car.
You can also obtain the name and contact number of an insurance company to assist you get through the claims process. You can contact them in a variety of ways, including by phone or via online chat.
It can be a hassle to submit a claim for your car insurance with your insurer as well as the police, but it is important to do so as soon as you can. It is crucial to file a claim as soon as you can. Not only will it ensure that your vehicle gets the attention it deserves but it will also help you avoid being caught in fraud and having your insurance denied due to an unintentional error.
3. Claim your Benefits
Your insurer will want to be informed as soon as they can Therefore, make sure you have everything in order. Include any photos and the location of your car before and after check here it's theft, as well as the contact information of any person who had access it. Your insurance company requires an exact description of your vehicle, including any upgrades and other options. You should also keep receipts.
You may have to make two claims for insurance: an auto claim for the car itself, and a homeowners or renters insurance claim for any personal items that were inside the vehicle. If you have comprehensive coverage under your auto policy it will be able to cover the cost of replacing your property. The limits of your policy and your deductible are still in place.
After your claim is accepted, your insurance company will either reimburse you for the actual cash value of your car if it's deemed totaled or pay the entire cost if the vehicle is recovered and returned. If you decide to repair the car, which isn't always possible, your insurer will be able to charge you for the deductible.
It could take up to 30 days for an insurer to settle a stolen car claim. It isn't easy to travel during the waiting so be sure that your policy includes reimbursement for rental. Most do, although coverage is contingent on the provider and policy.
Report your vehicle to the police immediately if it is not found. This will put your vehicle in national and state databases which makes it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle later. You can also add a police report to your auto insurance policy by filing it with your insurance company.
The act of leaving keys in your vehicle could lead to a stolen car, so it's always best to keep them in a secure place and lock the vehicle when not being used. You can also keep your keys safe by parking in areas that are well-lit and keeping your keys with you at all times, and not putting valuables in the car.
4. Recover Your Car
When you're certain your car has been stolen with keys inside, contact the police to file a complaint. This will add your vehicle's information to national and state databases, making it difficult for thieves to make a deal with it. Contact your insurer immediately to report a vehicle that has been stolen.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your provider will replace your car without depreciation. The insurance company will consider comparable vehicles in your area, mileage on the odometer, and other factors to determine much your car is worth. However, you'll still need to pay the $500 deductible.
Your insurance company will repair any damage that occurred while your car was stolen, even when the keys were inside. If you have an electronic tracker, it can help the police locate your vehicle after it has been recovered.
It's important to act quickly when your car is stolen with the keys inside because delays can lead to your claim being denied or even investigated as fraud. In some instances an insurance agent may be able to ask you questions under the oath.
You may need to file an a claim on any additional items you have taken from your vehicle. Comprehensive auto insurance will protect your vehicle. These items are usually covered by homeowners or renters insurance, based on the location where they were stored. If you have both homeowners and auto insurance policies together and you want to claim both policies at once.
If you're not using your car, always lock it and remove the keys. Keep your spare key in a safe place away from your car. Do not write your name or address on your keys. Pick parking spots that are well-lit and monitored and, if you can, you can park off-street. You should also make sure your car is in a safe, visible location and that you're not blocking mailboxes or driveways.