If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have insurance that is comprehensive your car will be covered even if the keys are not in the vehicle. The insurance company will investigate the theft to determine if it was your fault.
It is best to file a claim right away when you realize that the vehicle is missing. Your insurance claim will be denied if you put off filing.
1. Don't panic!
If your car has been stolen and keys were found in it the most important thing is to stay calm and not make a poor decision which will only add to the situation. First, contact the police. When you have done that provide them with as much information as you can about the vehicle, such as the make, model and license plate number. You should also inform them whether there were any valuables in your vehicle, like laptops, a badge from your job or other personal belongings.
The police will be able to give you the best information about the vehicle that was stolen and the steps they plan to take in the future. They may be able locate your vehicle and catch the thieves.
Many people do not shut their windows or lock their cars particularly when they are in a hurry or have children with. While it might appear like a foolish mistake however, it's very simple to make and usually has tragic consequences. In these situations thieves can simply climb into the driver's seat and drive away as if it was their car. If nobody around them knows that it's not the owner, they can travel for a long distance before being arrested by a police officer.
A common error is to leave a spare or an ignition key on your person. This is risky because it makes it much easier to start the car and run off with. This happens most often when people go into an establishment to buy something or leave the vehicle running while they're the store. Other mistakes that are common include leaving the car running while it is heating up or rushing to the gas station to pay for fuel.
In order to avoid these mistakes It is crucial to take proactive measures to prevent them from happening in the future. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, from installing an alarm system to parking in well-lit places. Certain automakers also provide security features to deter thieves and prevent them from starting their car. These options range from a sounded alarm to more sophisticated GPS-based devices to track the vehicle.
2. Contact the police
As an owner of a vehicle, it is your responsibility to report any theft or attempted theft. Your police department is in a position to assist you by giving you information on what steps you should take next. They could also give advice on protecting your vehicle in the future, for instance, installing an electronic lock on your wheel. In addition, they can provide you with a crime reference number that can assist you in contacting your insurance company.
When you report a car that has been stolen it is important to be as detailed as possible. Make sure to provide the exact information to your insurance provider and the police. This will increase the likelihood that your car is returned or retrieved.
The kind of information you need to be prepared to provide includes your vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate number year, year, make and model and any other distinctive features. Include any information about your vehicle's GPS tracking device, or other security features that prevent theft.
Another important aspect important is the presence of any personal items in the vehicle when the theft occurred. It could be your purse, wallet or any other item that contains personal information. This is why it's an excellent idea to inform banks, credit card companies and other companies that might be involved in the case of a lost item in your car.
You should also notify your renters or homeowners insurance for any personal property was taken. This is because these possessions are typically covered by the personal property section in these policies, whereas auto insurance will only cover the damage to your vehicle.
While there's no way to fully prevent a car theft, you can lower the risk of this occurring by removing all valuables from your vehicle, locking your doors and opening your windows at all times. You should also keep an extra key in a different location than inside your vehicle and check your insurance coverage every year to make sure you are covered.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurance provider will cover the loss of your car without deductibles, minus any applicable. Liability insurance won't cover thefts of cars. Make sure you have comprehensive coverage prior to lending your car.
3. Do not attempt to look for your vehicle on your own
As a car owner you have a responsibility to safeguard your property. It is essential to ensure that your vehicle is secured even when you're not in the vehicle. It is also important to lock your vehicle every when you leave it and to roll up the windows completely. It's also a good idea to leave keys that you have in your car or other place where criminals could get the keys.
In fact, one of the most frequent reasons that people have their vehicles stolen with keys inside is that they left an extra key in or near the car. This is a common mistake that can have grave consequences particularly in the present day.
Modern thieves have moved beyond the old hotwiring techniques you might observe in a action film, and are using more sophisticated tactics to steal vehicles. This is a type of attack known as a relay attack that is when two thieves use an electronic device to record the signal from the owner's key fob, then unlock the car to take it away.
The good news is that police are beginning to use more efficient technology to catch thieves who attempt to steal cars with keys inside. For example, some companies are now offering to install a tracking system on your vehicle that will report its location to police. This could lower the chance and number of theft.
You might also want to install an immobilizer to keep your car from getting started. This will make it much less difficult for thieves to steal your car, and you can tell whether a burglar has attempted to start it by calling the police and by identifying yourself.
If you do decide to track down your stolen vehicle, you should never attempt to find it yourself. This could cause further damage and could lead to the theft of other items in your vehicle, including your personal belongings. Instead, you should contact your insurance company and inform them that your vehicle was taken with keys inside. You should also tell them about any personal belongings in the car at the time of theft, including mail or a purse containing credit cards or cash or an office badge or any other type of identification.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have comprehensive auto insurance (which covers a range of incidents including theft) it is click here important to contact your insurance company as soon as you can in order to file an insurance claim. This will allow them to begin their investigation and ensure you are covered in the event your car is damaged or stolen.
It is important to provide your insurance company with as many details about your vehicle as you are able to recall, including the year model, make, and year as well as the license plate number, the VIN (vehicle ID number) and the location you saw it last. It is also possible to provide information about the date and time of the theft, as well as if it rained or snowed. If you are unsure about any of these facts, you can ask police to look up the documents.
In some cases it may also be necessary to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. This will stop a thief from using your car to violate the law or damage other property.
When you call your insurance company, you will need to have the police report on hand to allow them to begin the investigation. You will also have to be prepared to provide any additional information that your insurance agent may request.
Be sure to report any personal items that were stolen from your vehicle, as they could be covered by your renters or homeowners insurance (depending on where you live). Also, you should inform your finance or leasing company that your vehicle was reported stolen.
It is important to remain calm and act quickly, even though it is an extremely stressful situation. These tips can help you to do this, and hopefully result in your vehicle returning safe and sound to you. If you need to file a claim due to your vehicle was stolen, with keys inside, it's best to contact an independent agent who can assist you in the process. They can also help you find discounts to make this ordeal as easy as possible.