If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have a comprehensive insurance policy your insurance policy will cover your stolen vehicle even if you left keys inside it. However, the insurance company will conduct a fraud investigation to see whether you were negligent in causing the theft.
The most effective thing to do is file a claim as soon as you are aware that your vehicle has been stolen. Your insurance claim will be denied if you delay.
1. Don't panic!
If your car has been stolen with keys in it the most important thing is to stay calm and not make a mistake that could only exacerbate the situation. The first thing you should do is call the police. Once you do give them the most complete information you can about the vehicle, such as the model, make and license plate number. You should also inform them if you had any valuable items in the vehicle, like laptops, work ID badge or other personal items.
The police will be able to provide you with the most accurate information regarding your stolen vehicle and the steps they intend to take next. They might be able to locate your vehicle or arrest the thieves.
Many people do not lock their cars or shut the windows, particularly if they are in hurry or have children with them. While it may appear like a foolish error to make however, it's very simple to make and usually results in tragic consequences. In these instances, thieves will just climb into the driver's seat as if they owned it and drive off. If nobody knows it's not their vehicle, thieves can travel for a long time before being stopped by police.
A common error is to leave an ignition key on your person. This is a risk since it makes it easier to start the vehicle and then run off with. This is usually the case when people go into a store to pick up something or leave the vehicle running while they are the store. Other common mistakes include running the car while it is warming up or rushing to an gas station to pay for fuel.
Keep these mistakes in mind it is vital to take proactive steps to avoid them in the future. This can be done in a variety of ways, ranging from installing an alert system to parking in well-lit areas. In addition, certain automobile manufacturers offer security features that stop thieves from entering or from beginning the car. They can be anything from a simple, alarm that is audible to more sophisticated devices that make use of GPS technology to track the vehicle.
2. Call the Police
It is your responsibility as a vehicle owner to notify any attempted or actual theft. Your police department will be capable of providing information about what steps you should take next. They could also provide advice on how to protect your vehicle in the future, like installing the wheel lock. They will also provide you with a reference number for the crime, which will assist you when making contact with your insurance company.
It is essential to provide as much detail as possible when reporting the theft of a vehicle. Make sure to provide the same information to your insurance company as well as the police. This helps to increase the chance that your vehicle is returned or retrieved.
The type of information you should be prepared to provide includes your vehicle identification number (VIN) as well as your license plate number as well as the year, year, model and model and any other distinguishing features. Include any details about your vehicle's GPS tracking device, or any other anti-theft technology.
Another piece of information that is crucial is the presence of any personal items in the vehicle when the theft occurred. This could include your wallet, purse, or any other object that holds personal information. It is essential to inform credit card companies, your bank, and any other organization that could be involved in the event of the item is stolen from your car.
If your personal property is stolen, you should also notify your homeowner's or renters insurance. This is because these possessions are typically covered by the personal property section of these policies, while auto insurance will only cover damage to your vehicle.
While there's no way to stop a car theft, you can reduce the likelihood of this happening by removing any valuables from your vehicle by locking your doors, and rolling up your windows at all times. It is also advisable to keep an extra key in a different location than in your car and examine your insurance coverage each year to ensure you're covered.
If you have comprehensive insurance, the insurance company will cover the damage or loss to your vehicle, less any applicable deductible. Liability insurance won't cover thefts of cars. Make sure you have a comprehensive insurance policy prior to lending your car.
3. Don't try to locate Your Vehicle All by Yourself
As a car owner to protect your vehicle. It is essential to secure your vehicle, even when you're not present. It's important to lock your car each time you leave and to roll the windows up completely. It's also best to not leave your spare keys in the car, or in any other location where it could be easily accessible to criminals.
In reality one of the main reasons that people have their vehicles stolen with keys in it is because they've left a spare key in or close to the car. This is a simple error that can result in serious consequences especially in this day and age.
Modern thieves have moved beyond the old hotwiring techniques you'd observe in a action film and are employing more sophisticated tactics to steal vehicles. This is a type of attack known as relay attacks that is when two thieves work together to utilize an electronic device to record the signal from the owner's key fob, then unlock the vehicle and drive it away.
The good news is that police are now using more efficient technology to track down thieves that try to steal cars with their keys inside. For instance, some businesses are now offering to install a tracking system on your vehicle which will send its location to police. This will help to decrease the number of thefts and increase the likelihood of being recovered.
In addition to a tracking device You may also want to consider installing an immobilizer inside your vehicle to stop it from starting. This will make it more difficult for thieves to take your vehicle. You can also find out whether someone tried to start your car by calling the police.
If you do decide to locate the vehicle you lost it is not advisable to find it yourself. This can cause more damage and could result in the theft of other belongings in your vehicle, including your personal belongings. Instead, you should call your insurance company as soon as possible and let them know that your car has been stolen with keys in it. Also, inform them of any personal possessions that were inside the vehicle at the time of the theft, like mail or a wallet that contains your cash or credit cards, an office badge or other forms of identification and any medications or other medical supplies that were inside the vehicle.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have comprehensive auto insurance (which covers a range of incidents including theft), you should contact your insurer as quickly as you can to file an insurance claim. This will help them get started with the investigation and make sure that you're covered in case your car is stolen or damaged.
It is important to provide your insurance company with as many details regarding your vehicle as you are able to recall, including the year the make, model, and year as well as the license plate number and the VIN (vehicle ID number) and where you last saw it. It is also possible to provide information about the date and time of the theft, and the weather conditions, if it snowed or rained. If you aren't sure of any of the above information, you can request the police to look up their records for this information for you.
In some cases it might be necessary to report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles as well. This will stop the criminal from being able to use your vehicle in any manner that can violate the law or cause damage to another property.
You will need the police report to be on hand when you contact your insurer to start the investigation. Also, you must be prepared to provide any additional information requested by your insurance agent.
Be sure to report any personal items that were stolen from your vehicle, since these might be covered by your homeowners or renters insurance (depending on the website area you reside in). Also, you should contact your finance or leasing company to inform them that the vehicle was reported stolen.
It is crucial to remain calm and swiftly act even in an emergency. These tips will assist you in doing this, and hopefully result in your vehicle being returned safely and sound to you. If you are required to file a claim because your car was stolen with keys inside, it is best to contact an independent agent who can guide you through the process. They can also find discounts to make the whole experience as smooth as possible.