Why Car Stolen With Keys Inside Is The Best Choice For You?
Car Stolen With Keys InsideIf your vehicle is damaged and the keys are still inside, you'll need to submit an insurance claim under comprehensive coverage. The deductible will depend on the amount and type of policy.
You should take precautions to protect your vehicle from being taken. Here are some suggestions:
Preventive measures to take
A vehicle is among the largest investments you'll ever make. It's best to take all available precautions to protect it. Preventive measures can help to reduce the risk of theft and increase the odds of getting your car back in the event of theft with keys inside.
One of the best ways to ensure that your vehicle safe is to install an anti-theft system that includes a GPS tracking device. These systems combine GPS and wireless technology to allow you to keep an eye on your car. The technology alerts police or monitoring agencies whenever the vehicle moves. They also have the ability to locate a missing or damaged vehicle, which could help in recovering it.
Even if you're just going to be away for a short period of time closing the doors and lowering the windows is an additional security measure. Tens of thousands of vehicles are taken every year in the U.S. because the owners leave their cars unlocked with keys in the ignition or elsewhere. A skilled thief is able to open an unlocked vehicle through a window that's only folded up an inch or two.
Parking in garages and parking lots which are monitored by security personnel is a great way to deter thieves. Avoid areas with a lot of privacy and that have poor lighting, as these are more likely to attract thieves.
You can stop thieves from entering your home by installing an anti theft system with visible theft deterrents like a steering-wheel lock or alarm stickers. These will make a would-be thief think twice about entering your vehicle because they'll have endure the difficulty of removing or bypassing the device.
Keep electronics and valuables hidden as often as you can in your car. Keep things like electronic cords chargers for phones and navigational equipment away from view, or put them in the trunk. It's also a good idea to note the serial numbers of expensive equipment or accessories in case they are stolen. If they are ever found, you can provide this information to your insurance company and the police.
Notifying the police
Every 32 seconds a car is stolen, and car theft is a major expense, costing Americans an estimated $8 billion annually. In a lot of cases, cars are stolen with keys inside, and this is a problem that's getting worse. It can happen when you leave your vehicle running to warm up or when you're going to the shop for a few minutes. There are ways to stop this from happening, such as taking valuable items from your car or locking them out of sight.
Notifying the police right away after your vehicle is stolen is also crucial. This will give the police a better chance to catch the criminal and return your vehicle. It will also help to ensure that your vehicle is enrolled in the national and state auto-theft databases, which could help prevent future ownership or title issues.
Contact your insurance company. You can inquire if your policy covers thefts of vehicles that have keys in the ignition. In most cases, the insurance company will reimburse you for the loss if you have comprehensive coverage. If you don't have this insurance you might want to considering changing to a different insurance provider.
It's important to move quickly in submitting a claim for stolen vehicles with keys still in the ignition. If you wait too much, the insurance company might reject your claim. They might also ask you about why you left the car keys in it. They believe you have not taken "reasonable" care of your property.
It is important to be aware that documents like your insurance or registration card can lead to identity theft. Some people even keep paychecks or receipts in their vehicles which could lead to fraudulent activity. In this instance you should notify your financial institutions. Also, you should monitor your accounts with care. Also, you should inform the police and insurance company if your car has been recovered so they can investigate and prosecute the suspect.
Notifying your insurance company
A lot of people tend to let their car run when they rush out the door to run to the store or purchase gas. Unfortunately, this can cause your car to be stolen. This is why you must never leave your car unattended when you're not using it. The best way to avoid this from happening is to lock your car doors whenever you're not in it.
If you do happen to leave your vehicle unattended, with the keys inside, you'll want to inform your insurance company as quickly as possible. They might ask you to provide details about the incident, including where the car was left and the date of the theft. It's crucial to provide this information so that the police can track your car and hopefully recover it.
You can file an online claim with certain insurance companies for cars, but it is best to speak with an agent. You can provide more information about the incident, and the back-andforth can delay your claim. Your agent may also request a copy the police report as well as a list of all valuables in your vehicle. This will help 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 company that you own a finance or leasing vehicle. This will stop them from attempting to take possession of your vehicle or claiming it as stolen. If your vehicle is reclaimed with significant damage the comprehensive section of your policy will pay for the repair it.
If you decide to file a claim for your car and it is not refunded the settlement could be up to 30 days. Make sure to check your policy to determine whether you have a rental reimbursement policy to pay for a rental car while you are waiting. Mark Fitzpatrick is a licensed property and casualty insurance producer and the Head of MoneyGeek's Insurance. He has been analyzing the insurance market since 2005 and is often quoted in national media.
Inspection of your car
When a car is stolen with keys inside the car, the first thing you have to do is verify that the vehicle was stolen. Contacting the non-emergency number for the police department in your area can assist you in this.
You'll have to provide them the following more info details if you decide to do this:
The Vehicle Identification Number is usually found in the door of the driver or close to the windshield. The seven digits in the last seven of the VIN are also stamped onto the mirrors and headlights to make it harder for anyone who attempts to alter the vehicle's identity.
It is helpful to note any distinctive characteristics of your vehicle. A description of any personal items that were inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen could be helpful.
Your Insurance Coverage: If you have Comprehensive coverage or specific Perils It will most likely cover the theft of your vehicle regardless of whether or not you have left your keys inside. However, if you have Liability-only insurance, this may not be the situation.
Many people make this error while running errands, or getting ready to go to work in the morning. This is a recipe of catastrophe, as it only takes only a few seconds to get in your car and drive away.
The most common day for car thefts with keys in the ignition is on Saturday and Monday, followed by Friday. Colorado is the top state for car thefts. If you leave your car blazing could be a signal to criminals.
It is often cheaper to pay for a new set of keys than submit an insurance claim for one that was stolen with the key inside. This is true especially if you own an electronic key fob, or smart key, that can be replaced by your local auto dealer for a few hundred bucks. This is less expensive than paying your deductible, and it will spare you the headache of dealing with your insurance company in the future.