Why Car Got Stolen With Keys In It May Be More Risky Than You Think
Why Car Got Stolen With Keys In It May Be More Risky Than You Think
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What to Do If Your Car Got Stolen With Keys in It
If you have comprehensive insurance on your vehicle it will cover your vehicle even if you forget the keys inside. It's important to take action promptly.
The longer you wait longer, the more likely that your claim will be rejected. Rental reimbursement coverage is available.
Don't panic
It's a scary moment when you go to get your car only to realize that you're unable to locate your keys. It can make your day miserable and be a source of frustration. It's important to remain calm and logical. Make sure you've checked everywhere in your pockets, bags, and any other places where you may have placed them. You should also take a walk back through the day - perhaps you put them down somewhere or went inside your bag to retrieve your phone and knocked your keys out.
Call the police if you are unable to find them. Notifying the police about the loss of your keys to your car to police immediately will help them find the keys and prevent anyone from using the vehicle without your consent. It is also essential to inform your insurance company about the car theft. This way, they will be able to help you get a new set of keys.
Check your insurance policy to determine if the loss of the vehicle is covered. Most of the policies cover the loss of a vehicle with keys in it, but the terms and conditions differ. Certain companies don't cover personal items in the vehicle and you should confirm this with your renters or home insurance company.
If the car you are leasing or financed, it is best to contact the financing or leasing company as well. They may want to report the theft to the police, too. This will protect the owner from being held responsible for the vehicle in the event it is stolen. It could also accelerate the process to get the vehicle returned.
You should also think about installing anti-theft equipment in your vehicle to discourage thieves. These could include the use of a GPS tracker, a steering-wheel lock or an alarm for your car. These gadgets are more expensive to set up, but will save you money by preventing theft. It is important to keep your vehicle in good repair and avoid parking it in areas that are prone to danger.
Contact the police
If you're unable to locate your car and know it's stolen the first thing you should do is contact the police. They will provide you with an identification number for the crime that is vital in monitoring the progress of the investigation. This will aid you in your insurance claim in the future.
You will need to give an accurate description of the vehicle, which includes the make/model and color and the license plate number. The VIN can be found in your Proof of Insurance (this could be a paper or digital document that you can access on your phone or an application). Please provide any additional information you may have about the vehicle, such as where you last saw it, and when you last saw it, as well as any distinctive characteristics, such as an enormous dent, or custom additions, or distinguishing marks or scratches.
Once you have completed a police report it is crucial to notify your insurance company as quickly as possible. This will help speed up the process and may even protect you from undue liability. If the thief drives your vehicle and results in an accident, you could be held liable based on your state's laws and insurance coverage.
NICB data shows that car thefts where keys are left in the car are increasing. Every 32 seconds, a car with keys inside is stolen in the United States. This results in a loss each year of more than $8 billion.
The best way to prevent this is to read more always lock your vehicle and never leave valuables out in the open. It is also recommended to open the windows all the way and ensure that you do not leave your vehicle running unattended and especially with keys inside.
If you have home or renters insurance, it could protect the items in your car if they are covered under these policies. If you have electronic devices in your vehicle, this kind of insurance is not likely to cover them.
It's also crucial to monitor your financial accounts carefully when you have personal documents in your car, such as paycheck receipts and stubs. These might be used for identity theft and you will be required to notify your bank and other institutions as soon as possible.
Find an extra key
Losing your car keys was not a huge issue in the past. You could take them to your local key maker and get them duplicated for an affordable cost. Now, however, many automobiles are equipped with high-tech security features that make it difficult to replace a stolen car key without having to go to the automaker or dealer for help.
If you have a spare key the first thing to do is to place it somewhere secure and easy to access when you're at home. For instance, you might keep it in your house in a special drawer or in a keybox by the door. You could also give the spare key to a friend or neighbor who you are confident in.
If you have an extra key the next step is to contact your dealership to inquire if they can help. They'll probably be able to disable the stolen key fob, so that it can't be used to start your car. It's a simple process, but it will depend on the model and year of your car.
You may also want to speak with your insurance company if you have comprehensive coverage, which covers things like stolen vehicles with keys in them. Most auto policies include this type of insurance however you must check your policy for specific details.
Another thing to do in the event that your car was stolen with keys in it is to make a claim with the police. This is particularly important if your car is financed or leased, as the lender must be aware of the incident. You may be able to obtain an additional set of keys or an alternative to your lost ones as part of the insurance claim.
Even if you're only taking only a few minutes it is recommended to close the doors of your car to stop it from being stolen in the future. It is also recommended to put in antitheft systems to make it harder for thieves to break into your vehicle. Some examples of these include steering wheel locks, brake pedal locks, and car alarms. Parking in well-lit, secure locations is also advised. Don't leave valuables inside your vehicle or in the title.
Contact your insurance company
Contact your insurance provider immediately after you've filed the police report. Many insurance companies have online systems that make the process easy and fast. Contact your agent directly instead of an operator in a call center to avoid a back and forth process and delays in this time sensitive situation. Prepare to answer any questions. You will be asked to provide information regarding your vehicle, including the year, model, color, license plate number and the model and make. They might be looking for additional information such as the time and location of the theft. They will also ask if the vehicle is equipped with any special features, such as an GPS system or other security measures.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your car will be covered even if the keys are not left in the vehicle. If you only have liability insurance, the vehicle is not covered. This is the reason that you should have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle.
Your car insurance policy will typically cover the actual cash worth of your stolen vehicle. This is the value of the vehicle at the time of theft plus any deductible that is applicable. Most likely, you will be asked to submit an independent evaluation of your car and keep it on file or search for one online.
After the claim is completed, you might be granted a waiting period. This will differ from insurer to insurer. During this period, your insurer will be searching for the vehicle. If it is found, you will be reimbursed for the vehicle (minus your deductible).
If you're fortunate, your car will be found and returned to you within the time period. If it's not then you will be compensated for the actual value of the car you lost (minus your deductible). You can use the money to buy a new car in the event that you decide to. Remember that any claims you make on your insurance policy will increase your rates. If you're unsure whether you should submit a claim, talk to your insurance representative and ask their advice.