If Your Car Was Stolen With Keys Inside, Follow the Police Process
As we move into "Puffing season" with the colder weather driving cars while keys are inside is a typical crime-fighting tactic. You should always report to the police if your car is stolen and keys are in the car.
Insurance policies differ however, comprehensive coverage typically covers cars even when the keys are left inside. Personal belongings are typically covered by renters or homeowners insurance, not car insurance.
Theft
A lot of car thieves simply attack a vehicle with keys inside. It's a simple strategy that works: a driver is distracted and then the next thing they know is their car is gone. It's important to break this cycle, so make sure you always have your keys on you when you leave your vehicle regardless of the location you park.
A car is stolen every 32 seconds, and Americans lose $8 billion a year to vehicle thefts. It is important not to leave keys in your car unattended particularly if you reside in a high-crime zone.
The thieves have become very adept at stealing vehicles that have key fobs. This makes it more important to take extra precautions. The thieves could employ relay attacks signal jamming, signal jamming, or other technology to hack the system of a vehicle and then reprogram a key fob. They may also employ a "slim jim" which is a tool that is inserted into the cavity of a door at the base window, to alter the internal locking mechanisms or links.
Hotwiring is another technique, which involves removing the vehicle's ignition cord and using an electrical current to ignite the motor. It's a popular trick for teens who don't have full-time jobs and are seeking an easy buck however, it also permits criminals to use stolen cars for joyriding purposes or other crimes.
Dealerships can protect themselves by using vehicles tracking systems and performing regular audits of their key inventory and vehicle records to spot gaps and possible security breaches. They should also urge drivers to use a signal blocking pouch or Faraday box for storing their keys, as they can help prevent relay attacks and other forms of hacks.
If you happen to leave your car running while you have keys in it, your insurance provider likely will cover the loss provided you have Comprehensive coverage. Your insurer could conduct credit or other test before reimbursing you.
Damage
If you leave your car unlocked or running with keys inside is almost asking for it to be taken. A car thief who is opportunistic can take off in a matter of minutes. If you have comprehensive insurance the insurer could be able to cover the theft. However some policies do not cover cars that are left with keys inside from being covered. If you're worried that your policy won't cover this, it may be worth switching auto insurance providers.
Certain states have specific laws that dictate the manner in which a car owner is liable for a vehicle theft with the keys inside. It's important to know the rules as they vary from state to the state. In most cases, the car owner is not accountable for any accidents that happen when the thief is driving. The thief is not covered by insurance. The owner of the car is not responsible for items that are stolen from a vehicle as they are covered by renters insurance or homeowners insurance insurance.
It is essential to report the theft to police and your insurance company right away. This will allow the process to get moving faster and may increase your chances of reclaiming your property. You should also be aware that filing multiple claims could affect your insurance rates. Be sure to discuss this with your insurance agent in order to determine the effect it could have on your policy in the near future.
If you want to prevent your car from being stolen when the keys are inside, lock it and close the windows each time you leave. It is also recommended to keep the spare key in a safe place and not in the vehicle. If you need to leave the vehicle running when you leave, make sure to turn off the ignition and place the car in park before you exit.
It is best not to keep valuables such as MP3 players or laptops in your car. You may be able make a separate claim if you have added nonpermanent items to your car, such as an USB device plugged into the an auxiliary port.
Insurance
Theft of vehicles costs Americans $8 billion per annum. Most cars are covered under insurance policies in the event they are stolen. In certain situations, your insurance policy may not cover the cost of repair or replacement of your vehicle. If you leave keys in your car and they are stolen, that's one such situation. This isn't the most common situation, but it does here occur.
Your policy will determine whether or not your vehicle is covered in this scenario. The majority of policies that offer comprehensive insurance will cover a stolen car, even if the keys are in the. The amount of money that your insurance company will pay will depend on the policy limits and deductible.
If you have only liability insurance, your car is likely to be stolen if you forget to leave keys in it. However, you'll only be compensated to a maximum amount of $10,000. If you have comprehensive insurance on your car, you can make a claim for the entire value of the vehicle and all the contents (minus the deductible).
One major caveat is that insurance companies might consider leaving keys in your vehicle as negligence. Many insurance companies expect their customers to take reasonable steps to safeguard their vehicles. This includes locking them when not in use and ensuring they are not running. In addition, if you reside in an area where there are frequent reports of thefts of cars, your insurer may raise your price.
There are other ways to safeguard your vehicle from theft, by installing an anti-theft system or other safety features. You can also see if you are covered by property insurance. Renters and homeowners insurance policies usually cover personal property, which includes your possessions in the event they are lost or stolen on or off premises. If you have a bundled property insurance policy and auto insurance policy, you can typically submit both claims at once to save time and money.
Recovery
The best method to ensure that your car is recovered after being taken with keys inside is to follow the police process. Report the theft to your local police department. Be sure to give them all the information they require about the vehicle, including the VIN license plate and year, as well as the model, make, where it was taken and any unique features.
After filing a report with the police, they'll begin to search for your vehicle. They will employ various methods to locate it, including speaking with witnesses, analyzing evidence physical and reviewing surveillance footage. During this time, it is vital to remain patient and to continue to keep in touch with the police for any updates.
In the event that your vehicle is rescued and is subsequently inspected, it will be examined by an insurance claims adjuster to determine the condition of the vehicle. If the vehicle is in a driving condition and the damage occurred while it was not your control, your comprehensive insurance will compensate you for the damage. The amount you are awarded will depend on the value of your vehicle as well as its current value in the market, your insurance deductible, and any additional coverages you may have, such as renters or homeowners.
Notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state of residence about the stolen vehicle is an additional step that may vary depending on what the police or insurance company recommends. This will add your vehicle's details to a database that is a national database of stolen vehicles making it harder for criminals to sell or illegally register stolen vehicles in the future.
Contact your bank to stop the freezing of any credit or debit card found in your vehicle that has been stolen. This will help prevent fraudulent charges and identity theft. If you have homeowners or renters insurance, it's also recommended to notify your insurance company since the items inside your vehicle are typically covered by those policies. You may be able to combine your claims from both policies in certain instances to receive a greater settlement for the items you lost.