Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
It might appear to be a bad idea to leave your car keys in the ignition, but is insurance covered for cars that are stolen with keys inside them? Generally, yes. There are some caveats.
Before you file an insurance claim, make sure you ensure that your vehicle is indeed missing. The claim process begins with a police declaration along with a detailed description of the vehicle.
1. Call the Police
It's important to adopt preventative measures to secure your car and its contents. Car theft is increasing across the country and Colorado is the top state for per capita thefts. This includes locking your vehicle and setting up an alert and removing all keys or fobs from the vehicle while you're not driving. It's also a good idea to hide valuables in the vehicle or, better yet, take them completely from the car. Even if you take precautions however, you could be the victim of an opportunity-based crime. If you have a key inside of your vehicle that's stolen and you want to report it, here are the steps to follow to report the theft to police and your insurer.
When your vehicle is reported stolen, you should call the police to submit a theft report. The more details you provide to the police about your car including the model and make as well as the license plate number, or VIN, the greater the chance of it being returned to you. Inform the police if your vehicle is equipped with a GPS device.
After you've filed a police report, call your insurance company to inform them about the theft. Depending on the policies of your insurance company, you might be able to notify them via telephone or online. Please provide your policy number, make and model of the car and any other identifying information (like large damage, custom modifications and so on.) and the exact location and time of the theft. Inform your insurance agent whether you have any other equipment in your vehicle, such as a GPS tracking system, that could help them locate it.
Don't forget to provide your insurance company and police with the same information. Any discrepancies can delay the process of processing your claims. Insurance companies may also utilize this information to decide whether or not to settle a claim when you owe a significant amount of money. This is why it's advisable to avoid leaving any personal documents or data in your vehicle, like receipts for credit cards, receipts for purchases and paycheck stubs. If you do decide to 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 charges that are not authorized and alert their security departments.
2. Call Your Insurer
It's not a secret that car theft is on the rise. Every year, thousands vehicles with keys inside are taken. This isn't just a case of luck, but you can help avoid this crime by putting more security measures in place between your vehicle and thieves.
The first thing to do is contact your insurance provider as soon as you can after the incident. Your insurer will provide you with a rental car while you wait for your car to be returned or reimburse you if it isn't. They will provide you with the specifics of your policy as well as answer any questions. You should also submit a police report with the name and number of the officer who investigated the incident and the date and time.
Include all relevant information about your vehicle, such as its model and make, as well as an extensive description of the items stolen. Make sure to include the name number, address and any other details of anyone who may have had access to your vehicle, or valuables inside. This will help police in their investigation and stop fraud attempts. It may be necessary to conduct a credit check in addition. This is to make sure you are not in debt to the extent of, which would raise suspicions of fraud and make it harder for you to get an acceptable settlement for your car that was stolen.
Your insurance company will provide you with the name and number of a representative who can help you navigate the claims process. You can contact them in a variety of ways, including by phone or via online chat.
It may be an inconvenience to file a claim for car insurance with your insurance company and the police, but it's important to do so as soon as you can. This will not only ensure that your car receives the attention it deserves, but it can help you avoid getting involved in a scam, or being denied coverage due to a simple mistake.
3. Claim your Benefits
You'll need to provide all the information as quickly as you can. This includes where your vehicle was prior to and following the time it was stolen, any photographs you might have, as well as contact details for anyone who had access to the vehicle. Your insurance company will require a precise description of your vehicle, including any options and upgrades you may have. If website you have receipts, they are important too.
You may have to file two claims: an auto insurance claim for the vehicle itself and a renter or homeowner insurance claim for any personal belongings that were in the car. If you have comprehensive coverage under your auto policy it should be able to cover the cost of replacing your property. Your policy's limits as well as your deductible will still apply.
Once your claim has been accepted, your insurance company will either pay the actual cash value of your vehicle when it's determined to be totaled, or pay the entire cost if your car is recovered and returned. You'll then be responsible for the deductible if you decide to repair your vehicle, which is usually not feasible.
It could take up to 30 days or more for an insurer to settle a stolen car claim. While you wait it can be difficult to get around so make sure to check whether your policy covers rental reimbursement. Most do, however the coverage varies by the policy and the provider.
Inform the police immediately if it's not found. This will put your vehicle in databases of the state and national levels, which makes it harder for thieves to steal your car later. You can also add the police report to your automobile insurance policy by submitting it to your insurer.
Leaving your keys in your vehicle could lead to a stolen car and it's best to keep them in a secure location and lock your vehicle when not in use. You can also prevent theft by parking in areas that are well-lit, taking your key with your at all times, and avoiding hiding valuables in the car.
4. Recover Your Car
As soon as you're sure your car has been stolen with keys inside, you should call the police to file a complaint. This will add the details about your vehicle to state and federal databases making it more difficult for thieves to sell. Contact your insurer immediately to report a stolen car.
If you have comprehensive insurance the insurer will reimburse you to replace the vehicle that was stolen, minus depreciation. The insurer will consider comparable vehicles in your region, mileage on the odometer and other factors to determine how much your car is worth. You'll still have to pay a $500 deductable.
In addition to the cost to replace your vehicle the insurance company will also repair any damage that was caused when your vehicle was taken with the keys inside. If you're using a device to track your car that tracks your vehicle, it could assist police locate your vehicle after it's 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 certain instances an insurance agent may be able to ask you questions under the oath.
You may have to file an another claim for any items that were stolen from your vehicle. Comprehensive auto insurance will cover your vehicle. These items will likely be covered by renters or homeowners insurance, based on where you kept them. If you have both your homeowners and auto insurance policies together you can file both claims simultaneously.
When you are not driving your vehicle, you must always lock it and remove the keys. Keep your spare key in a safe place away from your car. Don't put your name or address on your keys. Choose parking spots that are well-lit and monitored and as far as possible park off-street. Also, make sure that your car is parked safely and clearly visible, and is not blocking driveways or mailboxes.