If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have comprehensive insurance your car will be covered even if the keys are still in the vehicle. However the insurance company will conduct a fraud investigation to see whether you were negligent in causing the theft.
The most efficient way to proceed is to file an insurance claim as soon you are aware that your vehicle has been stolen. Your insurance claim could be denied if you wait.
1. Don't Panic
If your car was taken with keys inside the most important thing is to remain calm and avoid make a bad decision that could only exacerbate the situation. Contact the police first. When you contact the police, you should provide them with as much information about the vehicle as possible, including the model, make and license plate number. It is also important to inform them if there were any valuables in your vehicle, such as a laptop, a badge from your job, or other personal items.
The police can provide you with the most accurate details about your vehicle stolen and the steps they are planning to take next. They may even be in a position to locate your vehicle on your behalf, or even be able to locate the thieves who took it.
Many people fail to lock their vehicles or shut the windows, particularly if they are in a hurry or have children around. While it might seem like a stupid mistake to make but it's actually quite simple to make and usually has devastating consequences. In these cases thieves will simply climb into the driver's seat as if they own the vehicle and drive off. If no one is aware that it's not their vehicle, thieves can travel for a long time before being caught by police.
A common error is to leave an ignition key on your person. This could be extremely dangerous and makes it easier for the vehicle to start and run away with. This is often done when people go into a store to pick up something or leave the vehicle running while they are there. Other mistakes that are common include running the car while it is warming up or rushing to an gas station to pay for fuel.
It is essential to be aware of these mistakes and take proactive measures to avoid them from happening again. There are a myriad of methods to accomplish this starting with installing an alarm system to simply parking in areas with good lighting. Some automakers also offer security features to discourage thieves and stop them from starting their cars. These options be anything from a sound-based alarm system to more sophisticated GPS-based devices to track the vehicle.
2. Contact the police
It is your obligation as a car owner to report any attempted or actual theft. The police department is in a position to assist you by providing information about what steps to take next. They could also give advice on protecting your vehicle in the future, like installing an electronic lock on your wheel. Additionally, they can provide you with a reference number that can assist you in contacting your insurance company.
When you report a car that has been stolen, it's important to be as detailed as you can. Be sure that you give the same details to your insurance provider and the police. This will increase the chance that your vehicle is returned or found.
You must be ready to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) along with the license plate number, the year, make and model of your vehicle, along with any other distinguishing features. Include any details about your vehicle's GPS tracking device, or any other anti-theft technology.
Another aspect that is vital is the presence of personal items inside the vehicle when the theft occurred. This could include your purse, wallet, or any other item containing personal information. For this reason, it's a good idea to alert credit card companies, banks and other companies that might be involved in the case of a lost item in your car.
If your personal property is stolen, be in touch with your homeowners' or renters insurance. This is because this kind of possession is typically covered under the personal property section of these policies, while auto insurance covers only damage to your vehicle.
While there's no way to completely prevent a car theft, you can reduce the chance of it occurring by removing all valuables from your vehicle and locking your doors. You can also avoid closing your windows at all times. Also, keep an extra key in a different location than inside your car. Also, review your insurance coverage annually to make sure you are covered.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurer will pay for the damage or loss to your vehicle, minus any applicable deductible. Liability insurance doesn't cover theft of cars so make sure to have comprehensive coverage prior to lending your vehicle to anyone.
3. Do not attempt to search for your vehicle by yourself
As an owner of a vehicle to safeguard your vehicle. It's important to secure your vehicle even when you are not present. It is also important to lock your vehicle every time you leave it, and also to open the windows completely. It's also recommended to not leave your spare keys in the car, or in any other location where it could be easily accessible to criminals.
In fact, one of the most frequent reasons that people have their vehicles stolen with keys inside is because they have left a spare key in or near the car. This is a simple error that can cause serious harm especially in these days of high-risk crime.
Modern thieves have advanced beyond the old hotwiring techniques you'd see in an action movie, and are using more sophisticated tactics to steal vehicles. This is a type of attack known as a relay attack which is where two thieves employ an electronic device to capture the signal from the owner's key fob, then unlock the car and drive it away.
The good news is the police are beginning to employ more efficient technology to catch thieves who attempt to steal cars by putting their keys inside. Some companies offer to install an electronic device to track your vehicle that will send the location of your car to the police. This will lower the chance and number of thefts.
In addition to a tracking device, you may want to think about installing an immobilizer on your vehicle to prevent it from being started. This will make it much more difficult for criminals to steal your car, and you can tell the identity of a person who tried to start it by contacting the police and by identifying yourself.
You should not search for your own vehicle when you decide to track it down. This can lead to more damage and possibly the theft of personal belongings from your vehicle. You should instead contact your insurance company and inform them that your car was stolen with the keys inside. Also, inform them about any personal possessions in the vehicle at the time of the theft, such as mail or a purse that holds credit cards, cash or an office badge, or any other forms of identification.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have a comprehensive car insurance policy (which typically covers a broad range of situations including theft) it is essential to contact your insurance company and make an insurance claim as soon as you can. This will allow them to get started with the investigation and make sure that you are covered if your vehicle is stolen or damaged.
It is important to provide your insurance company with as many details regarding your vehicle as you are able to remember, including the year, make, and model and the license plate number, the VIN (vehicle ID number), and where you last saw it. You may also provide details about the time and day of the theft, and whether it was snowing or rained. If you're unsure about any of these information, you can ask police to look up the information.
In certain instances, it may be necessary to report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles as well. This will stop the thief from being able to use your vehicle in any manner that could violate the law or cause damage to others' property.
You'll need the police report on hand when you call your insurance company to start the investigation. Also, you must be ready to provide any additional details that your insurance representative may require.
Be sure to report any personal items that were stolen from your vehicle, as they might be covered by your homeowners or renters insurance (depending on the location you live in). You should also notify your finance or leasing company that the vehicle has been reported as stolen.
Even though this is a terrible situation to be in, it is essential to remain at peace and act swiftly. These tips will help you do this, and hopefully will result in your vehicle returning safe and sound to you. If you need to file a claim due read more to your car was stolen with the keys inside, it's best to contact an independent agent who can assist you in the process. They can also find discounts to make this process as simple as it can be.