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 the vehicle that was stolen even if you left the keys in it. The insurance company will investigate the theft to determine whether it was at fault.
It is best to file a claim right away after you discover that your vehicle is missing. Your insurance claim will be denied if you wait.
1. Don't Panic
If your vehicle has been taken with keys inside, it is extremely important to remain calm and not make a bad decision that will only compound the situation. Call the police first. After that provide them with as much information as you can about the vehicle, such as the model, make and license plate number. It is also important to let them know whether there were any valuables in your vehicle, such as laptops, a badge from your job or any other personal items.
The police can provide you with the most accurate information about your stolen vehicle, and what they plan to do next. They may even be capable of locating your vehicle on your behalf, or they might be able to catch the thieves who took it.
Many people do not lock their cars or shut the windows, especially when they are in a hurry or have children in the car. While it might appear like a foolish mistake to make, it is very simple to make and usually has tragic consequences. In these cases thieves will simply climb into the driver's seat like they own the vehicle and drive off. If nobody around them knows it isn't the owner, they can travel a considerable distance before being arrested by a police officer.
Another mistake that is easy to make is to put a key in the ignition or a spare key hidden on your property or person. This could be extremely dangerous and makes it easier for the vehicle to start and get away with. This happens most often when people go into an establishment to buy something or leave the vehicle running while they are the store. Other common mistakes include leaving the car running while it is warming up or rushing to a gas station to pay for fuel.
Keep these mistakes in mind It is crucial to take preventive measures to avoid them in the future. This can be done in a variety of ways, from putting in an alarm system to parking in well-lit areas. Some automakers also offer security features to deter thieves and keep them from starting their cars. These features can range from an audible alarm system to more sophisticated GPS-based devices that track the vehicle.
2. Call the police
It is your responsibility as a vehicle owner to notify any attempted or actual theft. Your police department will be able to help you by providing you with information on the steps to do next. They may also offer advice around protecting your vehicle in the future, such as installing a wheel lock. Additionally, they can provide you with a crime reference number that can help you contact your insurance company.
When reporting a stolen car, it's important to provide as complete a report as possible. Ensure that all of the information provided to the police and your insurance company is identical. This increases the chances that your car is returned or recovered.
The type of information you need to be ready to provide includes your vehicle identification number (VIN) as well as your license plate number, year, make and model and any other distinguishing features. If your vehicle is equipped with an GPS tracking device, or other anti-theft device, make sure to include it as well.
Another piece of crucial information is any personal belongings that were inside the vehicle at the time of theft. It could be the purse, wallet or any other item that could contain personal information. It is essential to inform the credit card companies, your bank and any other organization which could be involved if the item is stolen from your vehicle.
You should also contact your homeowners or renters insurance if any of your personal possessions were taken. This is because the items are usually covered under the personal property section of these policies, while auto insurance will only cover damage to your vehicle.
There is no way to stop the possibility of a car burglary, however you can lower the risk by getting rid of valuables from your vehicle by locking the doors and rolling up windows at all times. It is also advisable to keep an extra key in a different location than in your car and examine your insurance coverage each year to ensure that you are covered.
If you have a comprehensive insurance policy, your insurance provider will pay for the loss of your vehicle without deductibles, minus any applicable. Liability insurance does not cover car thefts therefore, make sure to have comprehensive coverage prior to lending your vehicle to anyone.
3. Do not try to search get more info for your vehicle by yourself
You have a duty as a car owner to protect your vehicle. That is why it's important to ensure your vehicle is secured, even when you're away. It's essential to lock your car each time you leave and to roll the windows completely up. Additionally, it's always a good idea to not leave your keys in your car, or any other place that might be accessible to criminals.
In fact one of the main reasons people have their cars stolen with keys inside is because they've left an extra key in or near the car. This is a common mistake that can have grave consequences particularly in the present day.
Modern thieves are moving beyond the hotwiring techniques you may have seen in action films and are employing more sophisticated tactics to steal vehicles. This is a type of attack known as relay attacks that is when two thieves use an electronic device to detect the signal from the owner's key fob and then unlock the car to drive it away.
The good news is that the police are beginning to use more effective technology in order to locate thieves who attempt to steal cars with keys inside. Some companies offer to install a tracking device on your vehicle which can transmit the exact location of your vehicle to the police. This will help to decrease the number of thefts and increase the likelihood of being recovered.
In addition to a device for tracking, you may want to think about installing an immobilizer inside your car to prevent it from starting. This will make it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle. You may also determine if someone has tried to start your vehicle by contacting the police.
If you decide to search for the vehicle you lost it is not advisable to do it by yourself. This could cause more damage, or even the theft of personal belongings from your vehicle. Instead, contact your insurance company and inform them that your vehicle was taken with keys inside. You should also inform them of any personal belongings that were in the car at the time of theft, such as mail or a wallet containing your cash or credit cards, an office badge or other identification documents, and any medication or medical supplies that were inside the vehicle.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have a comprehensive auto insurance policy (which typically covers a broad range of incidents, including theft) it is crucial to contact your insurer and make a claim as quickly as possible. This will enable them to begin investigating and ensure that you are protected in case your car is damaged or stolen.
It is important to provide your insurance company with as many details about your vehicle as you are able to remember including the year the make, model, and year and the license plate number as well as the VIN (vehicle ID number), and where you saw it last. It is also possible to provide information about the date and time of the theft, and whether it was snowing or rained. If you aren't sure about any of these details, you can ask the police to search their records for this information for you.
In certain situations, it could be necessary to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. This will prevent the criminal from using your vehicle in any way that can violate the law or cause damage to others property.
You will need the police report to be available when you call your insurance company to start the investigation. Also, you must be ready to provide any additional details that your insurance company might require.
Be sure to report any personal items you have stolen with your vehicle, as these may be covered under your renters or homeowners insurance (depending on the area you reside in). Also, you should contact your finance or leasing company to inform them that the vehicle was reported stolen.
Although this is a difficult situation to be in, it's essential to remain calm and act quickly. These tips will help you do this, and hopefully result in your vehicle returning in a safe and secure manner to you. If you need to file a claim as your car was stolen with the keys inside, it is recommended to hire an independent agent who will guide you through the process. They can also help you find discounts to make the whole experience as smooth as possible.