What to Do If Your Car Got Stolen With Keys in It
If you have comprehensive auto insurance, you will be covered even if you forget the keys in your car. It is important to act promptly.
The longer you put off, the more likely that your claim will be denied. Rental reimbursement coverage is available.
Don't panic
If you're trying to enter your car, and you cannot locate your keys it's a frightening moment. It can ruin your whole day, and it's also really difficult. This is why it's important to remain calm and think rationally. Take a look in your bags, pockets and other places you may have placed them. Also, walk back through your day - perhaps you put them down in a place or went in your bag to grab your phone, and then smashed your keys out of there.
Call the police if you cannot find them. It is crucial to notify the police of the loss of your keys to your car immediately to help the police find them and could prevent someone from using your vehicle without your permission. Notifying your insurance company of the theft of your car is important. They will then assist you to find a replacement.
Check your policy to see whether the loss of the vehicle is covered. The majority of policies cover a vehicle that has been taken with keys inside, however the terms and conditions vary. Certain companies do not cover personal items inside the car. Contact your renters or home insurance' insurance provider.
You should also contact the leasing or financing company if your vehicle is leased. They will also want to inform the police. This will prevent them from being held responsible for the car if it's stolen, and it may also help speed up the process of getting the vehicle back.
Installing anti-theft devices in your vehicle can also help deter thieves. This could include a steering wheel lock, car alarm, or even a GPS tracker. These devices typically cost a little more to install, but they can save you money in the end by preventing the theft of your vehicle. The most important thing is to ensure that your vehicle stays in good shape and avoid parking it in a dangerous area.
Call the police
If you're unable to locate your car and know it's stolen the first thing you should do is call the police. You will be given an identification number that will be essential to track the progress of your investigation. This will also help with your insurance claim later on.
You will be required to provide a thorough description of your vehicle including the model, make and color as well as the license plate number along with the VIN number that can be found on your Proof of Insurance card (this can be a paper document or an app for your phone). You should also provide any additional information you may have about the vehicle, including when you last saw it and when and any distinctive features, like large dents, custom-designed additions, or distinctive scratches or marks.
It's important to notify your insurer as soon you file a police report. This will make the process easier, and also protect you from excessive liability. This is because, should the burglar cause an accident while driving your vehicle, you could be held liable depending on the laws of your state and insurance coverage.
Keys stolen from cars with keys in them are on the rise, according to NICB data. In fact, a car is stolen with keys in it every 32 seconds across the United States and this accounts for over $8 billion of losses annually.
It is recommended to secure your vehicle at all times and to not leave valuables out in the open. Also, you should open your windows to the maximum and make sure you don't leave your car running when you are not there particularly with keys in it.
Another important thing to remember is that your home or renters insurance might cover the items that you have in your car If they were insured under these policies. If you have electronics in your vehicle, this kind of insurance isn't likely to cover them.
It is also essential to keep an eye on your financial accounts with care If you have personal documents in your car such as pay stubs and receipts. You should alert your bank as soon as you can.
Get an extra key
In the past losing your car keys was not an issue. You could take them to your local locksmith and have them duplicated for a relatively inexpensive price. Many vehicles now have advanced security measures that make it difficult to replace the key on a stolen vehicle without asking the automaker or dealer to seek assistance.
If you have an extra key, it is best to keep it in a location that is secure and easy to reach when you're at home. It could be kept in a drawer in your home or put it in a container near the door. Or, you could give a spare key to a friend or neighbor whom you are confident in.
Contact your dealership and inquire whether they can assist you. The dealership will probably be able to deactivate the key fob, preventing it from being used to start your vehicle. This is a simple procedure, but it will depend on your particular model and year of your vehicle.
If you have comprehensive insurance, it is likely that your insurer will take care of things like keys left in stolen cars. This type of coverage is typically included in all insurance policies, but it is recommended to look over your specific policy for more details.
Another option to take in the event that your car was stolen and keys were inside it is to file a claim with the police. This is especially important when your vehicle is being financed or leased as the lender will need to know about the incident. Insurance claims may even assist you in getting a new key or replace the one you lost.
To avoid having your car and the keys inside it in the future, you must always secure the doors of your vehicle, even if you're not in the car for a moment. You should also consider putting in antitheft devices that make it more difficult for here thieves to break into your vehicle. Some examples of these include steering wheel locks as well as brake pedal locks. You can also install car alarms. Parking in well-lit, secure areas is also advised. Avoid leaving valuables inside your vehicle or the title.
Contact your insurance company
It is important to contact your insurance company immediately after you've filed the police report. Many insurance companies have online platforms that make it simple and quick to complete the procedure. Avoid delays and back-and-forth by contact your agent directly instead of contacting an automated call center. Prepare to answer all questions. They will ask you to provide details about your car, including the year, make and model as well as the color and license plate number and the location and when it was taken and any other relevant information. They will also ask if the car has any unique features, like a GPS system or any other security measures.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your car will be covered even if the keys are not left in the car. However, if you only have liability insurance, the car will not be covered. This is the reason why you should always have a comprehensive insurance policy on your vehicle.
Your insurance policy for car owners will typically cover the actual value of the cash value of your stolen vehicle. This is the market value at the moment of the theft and less any deductible that is applicable. Most likely, you will be asked to submit a third-party assessment of your car so keep one on file or find one online.
Once the claim has been processed, you could be given a waiting time. This will differ from insurer to insurer. During this time the insurer will be searching for the vehicle. If it is found, you will be compensated for the car (minus your deductible).
If you're fortunate the vehicle will be recovered and returned to you within the time period. If it isn't, you will be compensated for the cash value of the vehicle you've stolen (minus the deductible). You can use the money to purchase a new vehicle in the event that you decide to. Be aware that any claims you make on your insurance policy will increase the cost of your insurance. Contact your agent if you're not certain whether or not you should file a claim.