What to Do If Your Car Got Stolen With Keys in It
If you have comprehensive insurance on your car it will cover your vehicle even if you leave the keys inside. It is important to act swiftly.
The longer you put off the longer you wait, the more likely that your claim will be rejected. Luckily, rental reimbursement coverage is available.
Don't panic
It's a terrifying moment when you head out to your car only to realize that you're not able to find your keys. It can ruin your whole day, and can be extremely annoying. This is why it's important to stay in a calm state and think rationally. Make sure you've checked everywhere - in your pocket bags, purses and any other places where you may have placed them. It is also advisable to revisit your day. Maybe you dropped them somewhere, or reached in your pocket to retrieve your phone, but knocked out your keys.
If you are unable to locate them, it's time to contact the police. It is crucial to notify the police of the loss of your car keys as soon as possible to help the police find the keys and prevent the use of your vehicle by someone without your permission. It is also essential to inform your insurance company of the theft of your car. In this way, they can help you obtain a new set of keys.
Check your insurance policy to determine if the loss of the vehicle is covered. Most policies cover a vehicle that has been taken with the keys inside, however the terms and conditions vary. Certain companies don't cover personal belongings in the car therefore you must check with your landlord or home insurance provider.
If your car is leased or financed, you must contact the leasing or financing company as well. They should also report the incident to the police. This will protect them from being liable for the car should it be stolen and could assist in speeding up the process of obtaining the vehicle back.
Installing anti-theft gadgets on your vehicle can also help deter thieves. These could include an GPS tracker, a steering wheel lock, or a car alarm. These devices typically cost a little more to set up however, they can save you money over the long term by preventing theft of your vehicle. The most important thing is to ensure that your vehicle stays in good condition and not leave it parked in dangerous areas.
Contact the police
If you can't find your car and know it's been stolen the first thing to do is call the police. You'll be provided with the crime reference number which is vital for tracking the progress of your investigation. This will assist you with your insurance claim in the future.
You will have to provide a complete description of your vehicle, including the make/model, color and the license plate number along with the VIN which can be found on your Proof of Insurance card (this can be a paper document or an app on your phone). Please provide any additional information you have regarding the vehicle, including when you last saw it, and when you last saw it, as well as any distinctive characteristics, such as a large dent or custom-designed additions, or distinctive scratches or marks.
Once you have filed a police report, it's crucial to inform your insurance company as soon as you can. This will make the process easier, and you may be protected from excessive liability. This is because should the burglar cause an accident while driving your vehicle you could be accountable based on your state laws and insurance coverage.
Car thefts with keys left in them are increasing, according to NICB data. In reality, a car is stolen with keys in it every 32 seconds across the United States and this accounts for more than $8 billion in losses annually.
The best way to avoid this is to always lock your read more car and never leave valuables out in the open. You should also roll up your windows to the maximum and make sure you don't leave your car running when you are not there, especially with keys inside.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your renters or home insurance may cover the things you had in your vehicle, if they were insured by those policies. If you included electronics in your vehicle it is likely that they wouldn't be covered under this type of policy.
It's also crucial to monitor your financial accounts with care if you have any personal documents in your vehicle such as pay stubs and receipts. They could be used for identity theft and you will need to inform your bank and other institutions as quickly as you can.
Find a spare key
A few years ago losing your car keys was not an issue. You could bring them to your local key maker and have them duplicated for a relatively affordable cost. Many cars today have advanced security features that make it difficult to replace the key on the vehicle that has been stolen without asking the dealer or manufacturer for assistance.
If you have a spare key the first step is to put it somewhere safe and easy to access when you're away from home. You could keep it in a drawer in your home or put it in a container near the door. You could also give a spare to a neighbor or a friend you trust.
Contact your dealer and ask if they can assist you. They'll likely be able to deactivate the stolen key fob so that it can't be used to start your vehicle. It should be a straightforward process, but it will depend on the make and year of the vehicle.
If you have comprehensive insurance, it is likely that your insurer will take care of things like keys left behind in vehicles that have been stolen. The majority of auto policies provide this type of protection, but you should check your policy for specific details.
Another option to take in the event that your car was stolen with keys inside is to make a claim with the police. It is essential to notify the lender that you own an unfinanced or leased vehicle. You may even be able to get a new set of keys or a replacement for your lost ones via the insurance claim.
Even if you're only stepping out for a few seconds it is important to close the doors of your car to prevent it from being stolen in the future. Consider installing antitheft security devices in your vehicle to make it difficult for thieves to gain access to it. Examples of this include steering wheel locks, brake pedal locks and car alarms. Parking in secure, well-lit areas is also advised. Don't leave valuables inside your vehicle or the title.
Contact your insurance company
Contact your insurance provider immediately after you've filed the police report. Many insurance companies have online systems which make the process easy and fast. Avoid delays and back-and forth by contacting your agent directly, instead of contacting a call center. Be prepared to answer any questions they might have. They will require you to provide information about your car, including the year, make and model along with the color and license plate number, as well as where and when it was stolen and any other relevant information. They will also inquire whether the car has additional features, such as a GPS system or other security measures.
If you have comprehensive coverage your car will be covered - regardless of whether keys were not left in it. If you only have liability insurance, the vehicle will not be covered. This is the reason that you should have a full coverage for your car.
Typically, your car insurance will pay for the cash value of the vehicle you have stolen, which is the market value of the vehicle at the time of the theft, minus any applicable deductible. You may be required to provide a third-party evaluation of your car, so you should keep a copy in your file or search on the internet for.
Once the claim is approved, you will be given a waiting period, which will vary by insurer. During this time the insurer will be looking for the vehicle. You will receive a refund for the vehicle (minus any deductible).
If you are lucky, your car will be found and returned to you within the time period. If it isn't, you'll get the actual value (minus the deductible) of your stolen vehicle. If you're planning on buying a new vehicle, you can use this cash to purchase it. Be aware that any claims you file on your insurance policy will increase your rates. Speak to your agent if you're not certain whether you should make claims.