Five Car Stolen With Keys In It Lessons From The Pros
If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to DoIf you have insurance that is comprehensive your vehicle will be covered even if keys are still in the vehicle. However, the insurance company will conduct a fraud investigation to see whether you were negligent in causing the theft.
The most effective thing to do is make an insurance claim as soon you discover that the vehicle was stolen. Any delay could result in your insurance claim being rejected or being the subject of a fraud investigation.
1. Don't Panic
If your car was stolen and keys were found in it, it is extremely important to remain calm and avoid make a mistake that could only exacerbate the situation. First, contact the police. Once you have contacted the police, give them as much detail about the vehicle that you can, including the make, model and license plate number. Also, inform them whether there were any valuables in your vehicle, like laptops, badge from your job or any other personal items.
The police will provide you with the most accurate information about your vehicle stolen, and what they plan to do next. They may be able locate your vehicle and catch the thieves.
Many people forget to lock their vehicles or shut the windows, especially when they are in hurry or have children around. It may seem silly however it's actually quite easy to do and could have tragic consequences. In these cases, thieves will just climb into the driver's seat as if they own the vehicle and drive off. If no one knows that it's not owned by the owner thieves could drive for a long time before being arrested by the police.
A common error is to leave an ignition key on your person. This is risky since it makes it easier to start your vehicle and get away with. This happens most often when people go to the store to purchase something or leave the vehicle running while they are in the store. Other mistakes that are common include running the car while it is warming up or running into a gas station to pay for fuel.
It is important to remember these mistakes and take proactive steps in order to prevent them in the future. There are a variety of ways to prevent this, from installing an alarm system to parking in areas with good lighting. In addition, some automakers offer security features that can discourage thieves or stop them from getting the car started. These options range from an audible alarm system to more sophisticated GPS-based devices to track the vehicle.
2. Contact the police
It is your responsibility as a vehicle owner to report any attempted or actual theft. Your police department will be in a position to assist you by providing information about what steps to do next. They may also provide advice on how to protect your vehicle in the future, such as installing a wheel lock. They can also provide you with a crime reference number that can assist you in contacting your insurance company.
It is crucial to provide as much detail as possible when reporting the theft of a vehicle. Make sure that all the information you provide to the police and your insurance company are the same. This increases the chances of your car being returned or recovered.
You must be prepared to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN), the license plate number, the year, make, and model of your vehicle, as well any other distinguishing features. Include any details about your vehicle's GPS tracking device, or any other anti-theft technology.
Another aspect that is crucial is the presence of any personal items inside the vehicle when the theft took place. It could be your wallet, purse, or any other item that contains personal information. It's important to notify the credit card companies, your bank, and any other organization that may be involved if an item is stolen from your vehicle.
You should also notify your homeowners or renters insurer in the event that any of your personal possessions were taken. This is because this type of property is usually covered under the personal property section of these policies, whereas auto insurance only covers damages to your vehicle.
While there's no way to completely prevent car theft, you can reduce the risk of this happening by removing any valuables from your vehicle by locking your doors, and opening your windows at all times. You should also keep an extra key somewhere other than inside your vehicle and review your insurance coverage annually to ensure you're protected.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurance company will cover the loss or damage to your vehicle, less any applicable deductible. Liability insurance doesn't cover car thefts so make sure you have a comprehensive insurance policy prior to lending your car to anyone.
3. Don't try to locate Your Vehicle All by Yourself
As a car owner you have a responsibility to protect your property. That is why it's important to ensure that your vehicle is secure even when you're not there. You should also make sure to lock your car every time you leave it and to roll up the windows completely. It's also a good idea not to leave keys that you have in your car or in a place where thieves could gain access to them.
In reality, one of the most frequent reasons why people have their cars stolen with keys inside is that they left a spare key in or near the car. This is a simple mistake that can have grave consequences especially in the current world.
Modern thieves are moving beyond the hotwiring techniques you may have seen in action movies and are employing more sophisticated techniques to steal cars. This is what's known as relay attacks that is when two thieves collaborate to utilize an electronic device to record the signal from the owner's key fob and then unlock the car and drive it away.
The good news is that police are beginning to get more effective technology to catch here thieves who are trying to steal cars with keys in them. Some companies will install the device of tracking on your vehicle which can transmit the location of your car to the police. This could lower the chance and number of theft.
You might also wish to install an immobilizer to keep your car from getting started. This makes it harder for thieves to take your vehicle. You can also find out if someone has tried to start the vehicle by contacting the police.
You should not search for your car in the event that you decide to locate it down. This could cause more damage, or even the theft of your personal belongings from your vehicle. Instead, you should call your insurance company as quickly as possible and let them know that your car was stolen and keys were inside. Also, inform them of any personal possessions that were in the vehicle at the time of theft, like mail, a purse or wallet that contains your credit cards or cash, an office badge or other forms of identification, and any medication or medical equipment that was in the vehicle.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have comprehensive car insurance (which covers a variety of events, including theft) You should contact your insurer as quickly as you can in order to make a claim. This will allow them to begin the investigation and ensure you are covered in the event that your vehicle is damaged or lost.
You must provide your insurer with all the details you can keep about your vehicle like the year the model, make and year; the license plate number and the VIN (vehicle identification number) and where you last saw it. You may also provide details about the time and day of the theft, and the weather conditions, if it snowed or rained. If you are unsure of any of the above information you can ask the police to check their records for the information you need.
In certain situations, it could be necessary to inform the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. This will prevent the thief from being able to use your car in any way that can violate the law or cause damage to others' property.
If you contact your insurance company, you'll be required to bring the police report with you so that they can begin the investigation. You should also be ready to provide any additional information that your insurance company may request.
Be sure to mention any personal items that were stolen from your vehicle, since these may be covered under your renters or homeowners insurance (depending on the location you live in). It is also important to inform your finance or leasing company that your vehicle has been reported stolen.
It is crucial to remain calm and act quickly regardless of a terrible situation. These tips can help you to do this, and hopefully result in your vehicle getting back in a safe and secure manner to you. If you are required to file a claim as your car was stolen with keys inside, it's best to work with an independent agent who will assist you in the process. They can also assist you in finding discounts to make the whole process as simple as it can be.