13 Things About Car Stolen With Keys You May Not Have Known
13 Things About Car Stolen With Keys You May Not Have Known
Blog Article
Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
The idea of putting your car keys in the ignition may seem like a bad idea, but does insurance cover cars that are stolen with keys in them? Generally, yes. However, there are some caveats.
First, you must ensure that your car is not missing before you file an insurance claim. Be aware that the claim process begins with a police report as well as an accurate description of your vehicle.
1. Contact the police
It's important to take preventative measures to safeguard your vehicle and its contents. Car theft is increasing across the country, and Colorado ranks #1 in per capita thefts. This includes locking your car and setting up an alert and removing all keys and fobs from the vehicle while you're not driving. It's also recommended to store valuables inside of the vehicle or, better yet, take them completely from the vehicle. Unfortunately, even if you've taken precautionary measures, you may still be the victim of a crime of opportunity. If you have a key inside of your vehicle that's stolen and you want to report it, here are the steps you need to take to inform the police and your insurer.
You should notify the police right away after your vehicle has been reported stolen and submit a police report. The more details you can provide to the police regarding your vehicle, such as its model and make, license plate number, VIN and identifying features, the better chances of being returned to you. Let the police know if your vehicle is equipped with an GPS device.
After you've filed the police report, contact your insurance company and inform them of theft. Based on the policies of your insurance company, you may be able do this by telephone or online. Please provide your policy number, the name of your insurance company, the make and model of the car and any other identifying information (like large dents, custom additions or custom additions, etc.) and the exact location and time of the theft. Let your insurance agent know whether you have any other technology on your vehicle, for instance a GPS tracking system, which can assist in finding it.
Don't forget to provide your insurance provider and the police the exact same information. Any discrepancies could hinder the process of processing your claims. The insurance company could also utilize this information to decide whether or not to pay a claim when you owe a significant amount of money. This is why it's best to keep all personal documents or information in your vehicle, such as receipts, credit cards and pay stubs. If you do leave this information in your vehicle, be sure to notify your bank, credit card company and other companies of the theft, so they can stop any unauthorised charges and notify their security departments.
2. Call Your Insurance Company
It's no secret that car theft is increasing. Each year, thousands of cars with the keys inside are taken. This isn't just a case of luck. You can help prevent this from happening by putting additional deterrents in place between your vehicle and potential thieves.
Contact your insurance provider immediately after the theft. Your insurer will be able to provide you with a car rental while you wait for your vehicle to be recovered or compensate you if it's not. They will be able to provide you with specifics of your policy and answer any questions. It's also important to make a police report containing the name and phone number of the officer who inspected the incident, along with the date and time of the theft.
Include all relevant details regarding your vehicle, including its model and make, as well as a detailed description on the items that were taken. Be sure to include the name and contact number of anyone who had access to the vehicle or any valuables in it. This information will help police investigate the claims and eliminate those who are trying to commit fraud. It is also possible to check your credit report. This is to make sure you don't carry a lot of debt that could create suspicions and make it more difficult to get a fair settlement for your car.
Your insurance company can also provide you with the name and number of a representative who will assist you in the claim process. You can reach them via a variety of ways, including by phone or via online chat.
It can be a hassle to make a claim for car insurance with your insurer as well as the police, but it is crucial to file it as soon as you can. check here This will not only ensure that your vehicle receives the attention it deserves, but it can help you avoid being victimized by a scam or being denied coverage due to an error that isn't too difficult to spot.
3. File a Claim
You'll need to give all the details as soon as you can. This includes where your vehicle was prior to and following the time it was taken away, any photos you might have, and the contact information of everyone who had access to the vehicle. Your insurance company will require a detailed description of your car, including any upgrades or options you might have. If you have receipts, these are essential as well.
You may have to submit two claims. One for your auto insurance policy and one for renters or homeowners to cover any personal items that were in the vehicle. If you have comprehensive coverage, your auto insurance policy will be able to cover the cost of replacing your property. Your policy's limits and your deductible will remain in effect.
After your claim has been completed, your insurance company will either pay the actual cash value of your vehicle if it's deemed totaled or pay out the full cost if the vehicle is found and returned. Then, you'll be responsible for your deductible in the event that you decide to repair your vehicle, which is typically not feasible.
It can take up to 30 days for an insurance company to settle a stolen vehicle claim. It isn't easy to travel during the waiting, so make sure your policy covers rental reimbursement. The majority of policies do, however coverage varies by the policy and provider.
If your vehicle isn't found, it's important to report it to the police right away. This will add your car to databases of the state and national levels, which will make it harder for thieves later to sell your car. Additionally you'll be able make a police report with the insurance company you have with your vehicle and have that added to your policy.
The act of leaving keys in your vehicle could lead to a stolen car and it's best to keep them in a safe location and lock the vehicle when it is not in use. You can also try to prevent theft by parking in areas that are well-lit and carrying your keys with you at all times, and avoid putting valuables inside the car.
4. Recover Your Car
When you are certain that your car was stolen with the keys inside, contact the police and file a claim. This will be added to national and state databases, making it more difficult for thieves to make a deal with it. You should also contact your insurance company as quickly as you can in order to claim a stolen vehicle.
If you have comprehensive coverage and your insurance company will reimburse you to replace your vehicle stolen, less depreciation. The insurer will assess the value of your car by taking into account things like similar vehicles in your region, the mileage on your odometer and other factors. But, you'll still have to pay the $500 deductible.
Your insurance company will also repair any damage that was caused when your car was stolen, even if the keys were still inside. If you own a device to track your car it can help police find your car once it's been recovered.
It's crucial to act quickly when your car is stolen with the keys inside as delays could result in your claim being denied or even referred to as fraud. In some cases you might be required to take an examination under oath where you'll be asked questions by a representative of your insurance company under swearing.
While your car is covered by comprehensive auto insurance, you could have to file an individual claim for items that were stolen from your vehicle. These items are likely to be covered by homeowners or renters insurance, based on the location you stored them. If you have both your auto and homeowners insurance policies bundled together, you can claim both policies at once.
If you're not using your car, always lock it and remove the keys. Keep your spare keys in a safe place away from your vehicle. Do not write your name or your address on your keys. Pick parking spots that are well-lit and monitored, and, if you can, park off-street. Also, make sure that your vehicle is securely parked and visible, and is not blocking any driveways or mailboxes.