If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have comprehensive coverage your insurance policy will cover your stolen vehicle even if you left keys in it. The insurance company will investigate the incident to determine whether it was at fault.
It is best to file a claim right away when you realize that your car was stolen. If you delay, it could result in your insurance claim being rejected or being even being subject to fraud investigations.
1. Don't panic!
It is essential to be at peace and be careful not to make a mistake that will only make the situation worse. First, contact the police. When you have done that provide them with as much information as you can about the vehicle, such as the make, model and license plate number. It is also important to inform them if you have any valuable items in the vehicle, including laptops, a work ID badge or other personal items.
The police will be able to provide you with the most reliable information about the vehicle that was stolen and the steps they plan to take moving forward. They may be able locate your vehicle and catch the thieves.
Many people fail to lock their cars or shut the windows, especially if they are in hurry or have children around. While it might seem like a silly mistake however, it's very easy to make and often has devastating consequences. In these scenarios thieves can simply climb into the drivers seat and drive away as if it were their own vehicle. If nobody around them knows it isn't the owner, they can travel a considerable distance before being stopped by a policeman.
A common mistake is to leave an ignition key on your person. This can be extremely dangerous because it makes the vehicle easier to start and get away with. This happens most often when people go into the store to purchase something or leave the vehicle running while they are there. Other common mistakes include running the car as it is warming up or hurrying into a gas station order to pay for fuel.
Keeping these mistakes in mind it is vital to take proactive measures to prevent them from happening in the future. This can be done in a variety of ways, ranging from installing an alert system to parking in well-lit places. In addition, some automakers offer security features that can discourage thieves or stop them from getting the car started. These features be anything from a sound-based alarm system to more sophisticated GPS-based devices that monitor the vehicle.
2. Call the police
It is your obligation as a vehicle owner to report any attempted or real theft. Your police department will be in a position to assist you by giving you information on what steps you should do next. They may also give advice on protecting your vehicle in the future, like installing a wheel lock. They will also be able to provide you with an identification number for the crime, which will assist you when reaching out to your insurance.
When reporting a stolen car it is important to be as thorough as you can. Make sure that all the information provided to the police and your insurance company are the same. This will increase the chance that your vehicle is returned or recovered.
The type of information you should be ready to provide includes your vehicle identification number (VIN) as well as your license plate number, year, make and model as well as any other distinguishing features. If your vehicle is equipped with an GPS tracking device or any other anti-theft device, make sure to include it as well.
Another important aspect important is the presence of personal items inside the vehicle at the time the theft occurred. It could be your purse, wallet, or any other object that holds personal information. It is essential to notify the credit card companies, your bank, and any other entity that could be involved in the event of the item is stolen from your car.
It is also advisable to contact your homeowners or renters insurer in the event that any of your personal property was taken. This is because this type of possession is typically covered under the personal property section of these policies, while auto insurance covers only damage to your vehicle.
While there's no way to fully stop a car theft, you can minimize the chance of it happening by removing any valuables from your vehicle, locking your doors and closing your windows at all times. You should also keep an extra key somewhere other than inside your vehicle and examine your insurance coverage each year to ensure you're protected.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurance provider will cover the loss of your vehicle without deductibles, minus any applicable. Liability insurance will not 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 on Your Own
As a car owner you have a duty to ensure the security of your property. This is why it's crucial to ensure that your vehicle is secure, even when you're away. 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 your spare keys in your car or anywhere other place where criminals could get the keys.
In fact, one of the most frequent reasons people have their cars stolen with keys in it is that they left an extra key in or close to the car. This is a common mistake that could have serious consequences, especially in today's world.
Modern thieves are stepping beyond the hotwiring techniques that you've seen in action movies and are using more advanced tactics to steal vehicles. This includes something called a relay attack that is when two thieves utilize an electronic device to record the signal from the owner's key fob, then unlock the car to take it away.
The good news is that police are beginning to use more efficient technology to catch thieves who try to steal cars with their keys inside. For instance, some businesses are now offering the possibility of installing a tracking website device on your vehicle that will report its location to the police. This can reduce the likelihood and frequency of thefts.
You may also want to install an immobilizer in order to keep your car from getting started. This will make it more difficult for criminals to steal your car and you can tell if a thief has tried to start the car by contacting the police and providing your name.
You should not search for your car in the event that you decide to locate it down. This could cause further damage and could result in the theft of other items inside your vehicle, like your personal belongings. Instead, you should call your insurance company as soon as you can and let them know that your vehicle has been stolen with keys in it. You should also inform them of any personal belongings that were in the vehicle at the time of the theft, including mail or a wallet containing your cash or credit cards or office badges, other forms of identification, and any medication or medical supplies that were in the vehicle.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have comprehensive car insurance (which covers a variety of events, including theft) it is important to contact your insurer as quickly as you can in order to file a claim. This will assist them in getting started with the investigation and make sure that you are covered if your vehicle is stolen or damaged.
You should give your insurance company all the information you are able to remember about your car including: the year model, make and model as well as the license plate number; the VIN (vehicle identification number) and where you last was able to see it. It is also helpful to include details about how the theft occurred and at what time of the day it occurred, and if there was any snow or rain. If you aren't sure about any of the above information it is possible to ask the police to search their records to find this information for you.
In some instances it is required to report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles as well. This will help prevent the criminal from using your vehicle in any manner that is in violation of the law or cause damage to another property.
You'll need the police report on be on hand when you contact your insurer to begin the investigation. Also, you must be ready to provide any other information requested by your insurance company.
Be sure to mention any personal items stolen with your vehicle, since these might be covered by your homeowners or renters insurance (depending on the location you live in). You should also notify your leasing or finance company that your vehicle has been reported stolen.
It is essential to remain calm and act quickly regardless of an extremely stressful situation. These tips will assist you in doing this, and hopefully result in your car returning safe and sound to you. If you do have to file a claim for a stolen car with keys in it the best thing you can do is consult an independent insurance agent who can help you through the process and provide you with discounts to make the ordeal as painless as possible.