What Is Car Stolen With Keys Inside And How To Utilize It
What Is Car Stolen With Keys Inside And How To Utilize It
Blog Article
Car Stolen With Keys Inside
If your car is damaged and the keys are still inside, you will be required to make an insurance claim under comprehensive coverage. The deductible is contingent on the type of policy and limit.
However, you must take preventive measures to avoid getting your vehicle stolen in the first place. Here are some suggestions:
Taking preventive measures
A vehicle is among the biggest investments you'll ever make. It is advisable to take all available precautions to protect it. Preventive measures can lower the likelihood of theft, and increase your chances of recover your car if it is stolen with keys inside.
Installing an anti-theft device that includes GPS tracking is one of the best methods to ensure your vehicle's safety. These systems make use of GPS and wireless technology to allow you to monitor your vehicle. The technology alerts police or monitoring agencies whenever the vehicle moves. They can also locate vehicles that are damaged or missing which can be helpful in locating it.
Another way to prevent theft is to lock the doors and roll up the windows on your vehicle while it is parked even if you're only away for a few minutes. Tens of thousands of vehicles are stolen every year in the U.S. because the owners leave their cars unlocked with keys in their ignitions or elsewhere. Unlocked vehicles can be opened by a skilled burglar even if the window is only rolled an inch or two inches.
Parking in secure parking garages and parking spaces is a great way to deter thieves, as these areas are usually guarded and have security personnel. Avoid areas with a lot of privacy and with poor lighting, as they are more likely to attract thieves.
You can deter thieves in addition to installing an anti theft system with visible theft deterrents like an alarm lock on the steering wheel or stickers. These will make a would-be criminal think twice about entering your vehicle as they'll have to deal with the added difficulty of removing or bypassing the security device.
Keep electronics and valuables hidden as possible in your car. Things like chargers for mobile phones, navigation equipment, and electronic cords should be kept out of view or in the trunk. It is also a good idea to note the serial numbers of any expensive equipment or accessories in case they are stolen. If they're ever found, you can provide the information to your insurance company as well as the police.
Notifying the police
A car is stolen every 32 seconds, and car theft is a major expense, costing Americans $8 billion a year. The problem is growing. In many instances keys are thrown away in cars when they are stolen. This could happen if you leave your car on to warm up, or even if you just go into the store for a brief time. There are things you can do to avoid this occurring, like removing important items from your vehicle or making sure they are locked out of view.
Notifying the police right away after your vehicle is stolen is also important. This gives the police a better chance to catch the criminal and return your vehicle. Also, it can help ensure that your vehicle is registered into national and state database of auto theft that can help avoid future ownership issues or title problems.
It is also advisable to contact your insurance company. You can inquire whether your policy covers thefts of vehicles that have the keys in the ignition. If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurer will most likely reimburse you for the loss. If you do not have this type of coverage, switching to another insurer could be worth it.
It is crucial to act quickly when claiming stolen vehicles with keys still in the ignition. If you delay too long the insurance company could deny your claim or question the reason you left the keys in the car. They believe that you didn't take "reasonable care" of your property.
Be aware of the risk of identity theft if you have documents in your car, like your insurance card or registration. Some people keep paychecks or receipts in their cars, which can lead to fraud. In this case you must notify your financial institutions. Also, you should monitor your accounts with care. If your car is recovered, you should also notify the police and your insurance company to allow them to investigate the theft and bring charges against the perpetrator.
Notifying your insurance company
A lot of people tend to leave their car running when they rush out of the door to get into the store or to take gas. This can cause your car to be stolen. This is why you should never leave your vehicle unattended when you're not driving it. The best way to stop this from happening is to lock your vehicle doors whenever you're not in it.
You must notify your insurance company as soon as possible if you leave your car without keys and leave it unattended. You may be asked to provide specifics about the incident including the location of the vehicle and the date it was taken. This will help police find your car and possibly recover it.
You can submit a claim online with some insurance companies, however it is best to speak to an agent. This will enable you to provide more detailed details about the incident and cut down on the amount of back and forth that can delay your claim. Your agent could also request a copy of the police report and a list of all the valuables in your car. This will help the police in their investigation and will determine whether your possessions are covered under your comprehensive coverage.
You should also inform your leasing company or finance company that you own a finance or lease vehicle. This will prevent them from trying to repossess your vehicle or claim it. If your vehicle is discovered and has suffered significant damage, your comprehensive insurance will cover the cost of repair.
If you decide to file a claim for your vehicle and it's not refunded, the settlement can take up to thirty days. Check your policy to see whether you have a rental reimbursement policy to pay for a rental car while you wait. Mark Fitzpatrick is a licensed producer of property and casualty insurance and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has been analyzing the insurance market since 2005 and is frequently quoted in national media.
Inspection of your car
The first thing you must do when you discover that a car has been stolen with keys inside is to confirm that it was indeed stolen. You can do this by calling the non-emergency police department's number in your area.
You'll need to provide here them the following details if you choose to do so:
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) - This is usually found in the driver's side door or near the windshield. The last seven digits are also printed on the headlights as well as the mirrors, making it more difficult for anyone to try to change the identity of the vehicle.
It can be useful to note any distinctive features of your vehicle. A description of any personal belongings that were inside the vehicle at the time it was taken can be useful.
Your Insurance Coverage - If you have Comprehensive or Specific Perils coverage, this will likely cover the theft of your vehicle regardless of whether or not you put your keys inside. If you only have liability insurance, this may not be the case.
Many people make the error of leaving their vehicles running with the key in the ignition while they run errands or getting ready to leave for work early in the morning. This is a recipe of catastrophe, as it only takes a criminal only a few seconds to get in your car and drive off.
The most frequent day for car thefts that have keys in the ignition is Saturday followed by Monday and Friday. Colorado is the top state for car thefts. Leaving your vehicle puffing could be a beckon for criminals.
It is usually cheaper to purchase a brand new set than to make an insurance claim if the original key was stolen. This is especially true if you have an electronic key fob or a smart key that can be replaced at your auto dealership for a few hundred dollars. This is less expensive than paying your deductible, and you will not have to deal with the insurance company in the future.