If Your Car Was Stolen With Keys Inside, Follow the Police Process
As we move into "Puffing season" with the cold winter weather leaving cars running even when keys are inside is a popular crime-fighting tactic. If your car is taken with keys inside, you should always submit a police report away.
Insurance policies vary however, comprehensive coverage typically covers cars even when the keys are left inside. Personal items are usually covered by homeowners or renters insurance, not car insurance.
Theft
A lot of car thieves simply take a car with keys inside. It's a simple method that works. Drivers get distracted and their car is gone the next thing they know. It's a cycle that must be broken, and the best way to do that is to make sure you take your keys with you when you leave your vehicle, regardless of where you park it.
Every 32 seconds, a car is taken away. The United States loses $8 billion in vehicle thefts every year. That's why it's so important to not leave your car unattended with the keys inside particularly in areas with high crime rates.
Thieves are now extremely skilled when they steal vehicles that have key fobs inside their vehicles, which makes it imperative to be extra careful. The thieves can employ relay attacks signal jamming, relay attacks, or any other methods to hack into the system of a vehicle and then reprogram the key fob. They may also employ a tool known as a "slim jim" to slip into a door's cavity at the base of the window and manipulate internal locking mechanisms or linkage.
Hotwiring is a different method that involves taking out the vehicle's ignition cord and then using an electrical current to ignite the motor. This is a method that is popular among teens who do not have a full-time job and want to earn money quickly. However, it's also a way for criminals to use stolen vehicles for joyriding, or other crimes.
Dealerships can ensure their security by using vehicle tracking systems, and performing regular audits on their key inventory and the vehicle's records. This will allow them spot any gaps or possible security breaches. They should also encourage drivers use a Faraday box or signal-blocking pouch when storing their key in order to protect against relay attacks and hacking.
If you do happen to leave your car running while you have keys inside your insurance company will pay for the damage provided you have Comprehensive coverage. However, your insurance provider may conduct a credit check or other checks to verify that the claim is legitimate before you're reimbursed.
Damage
It's akin to asking for your car to be stolen if you leave it running or unlocked with keys in. A car thief who is opportunistic can leave in a matter of minutes. Luckily, your insurance company might cover the theft when you have a comprehensive insurance policy. Some policies don't cover cars with keys left inside. If you're concerned that your policy will not cover this, consider switching to a different auto insurance provider.
Certain states have laws that govern how a car owner is accountable for a car theft with the keys inside. The rules differ from state to state, therefore it is important to know them. In the majority of cases, the owner of the vehicle is not accountable for any accidents that occur when the thief drives. This is due to the fact that the thief is not considered to be an insured driver. The owner of the vehicle is not liable for any items taken from their vehicle since they are covered by homeowners insurance or renters' insurance.
The prompt reporting of the theft to your insurance provider and to the police is crucial. This will speed up the process and increase your chances of recovering your property. Be aware that filing multiple claims could impact your insurance rates. Discuss this with your agent to see how it will affect your policy in the future.
If you wish to protect your vehicle from being taken while the keys are inside, make sure you lock it and close the windows every time you leave. A spare key should be kept in a secure location, not in the car. If you must leave the vehicle running, be sure you put it in park, and then turn off the ignition before you exit.
In addition to avoiding the risk of your car being taken away with keys inside, you must also be careful not to leave valuables inside your vehicle, such as laptops and MP3 players. You might be able to file a separate claim in the event that you've added nonpermanent objects to your vehicle for example, a USB device that is connected to the an auxiliary port.
Insurance
Vehicle theft costs Americans $8 billion per annum. Fortunately, most cars are insured by insurance policies in the event that they are stolen. However there are some situations in which your policy may not be able to repair or replace your car. One of these is when you have left your keys in the car and it is stolen. This isn't a typical scenario, but it does happen.
The answer to the question of whether your vehicle is covered in this case is contingent on the policy you have. The majority of policies that offer comprehensive coverage will cover the loss of a car, even if the keys are inside. However, the amount that your insurance company will pay will be dependent on the limits of your policy as well as the deductible.
If you have a liability-only insurance policy your car will likely be stolen if keys are in it however, you'll only be the amount of $10,000 or less. If you have comprehensive coverage on your car however, you'll be in a position to file a claim for the total value of your car and all the items in it (minus your deductible).
There is a caveat that comes with this scenario: Insurance companies may consider putting your keys in your car as a sign of negligence. A lot of insurers require their clients to take reasonable care of their vehicles, which includes ensuring they are locked when not in use and never left running. In addition, if you reside in a location where there are frequent reports of thefts of cars, your insurer may raise your premium.
There are other ways to safeguard your car from theft, such as installing an anti-theft device or other safety features. You can also check to see if you are insured by your property insurance. Renters and homeowners insurance typically provide personal property protection, which can cover your possessions in the event that they are lost or stolen on or off the premises. If you have a bundled property and auto insurance policies it is possible to submit both claims at once to save time and money.
Recovery
The best method to ensure that your car is recovered after being stolen with keys inside is to follow the police procedure. Make a report to your local police department, and make sure to provide them with the information about your vehicle they require, like the car's VIN and license plate number, year model, make and model and the location from which it was taken, any distinctive characteristics (large dents or custom add-ons, for example) and the time of day it was taken.
After filing a report with the police, they will begin looking for your car. They will employ different methods to find it, including interviewing witnesses, analyzing physical evidence and examining surveillance footage. During this time, it is important to remain patient and to continue to be in contact with the police for updates.
If your vehicle is rediscovered and is subsequently inspected, it will be inspected by an insurance claims adjuster to assess its condition. If it's found to be in an able to drive condition and the damage occurred while it was out of your control the amount you are compensated for it through your comprehensive coverage. The amount you'll check here be paid is based on the current value of your vehicle as well as your auto insurance policy deductible and any additional coverages that you might have, such as homeowners or renters.
Notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state about the vehicle that was stolen is a second procedure that could differ based on the advice of the insurance company or police recommends. This will add your vehicle's details to a national database of stolen vehicles making it harder for criminals to sell or illegally register a stolen vehicle in the future.
If you discovered any credit or debit cards found in the vehicle you stole Contact the banks to ask them to freeze them. This will stop identity theft and fraudulent charges. If you have renters or homeowners insurance, it's an excellent idea to report the theft to your insurance company, as items in your vehicle are typically covered by those policies. You might be able to combine your claims from both policies in some instances to receive a greater payout for your stolen goods.