A Provocative Rant About Car Stolen With Keys
A Provocative Rant About Car Stolen With Keys
Blog Article
Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
Leaving your car keys in the ignition could seem like a bad idea, but is insurance covered for cars stolen with keys inside? Generally, yes. However there are a few cautions.
First, make sure your vehicle is indeed missing before you file an insurance claim. Understand that the claim process will start with a police report as well as an accurate description of the vehicle.
1. Call the Police
It is essential to take preventative measures to safeguard your car and its contents. Car theft is on the rise across the country and Colorado ranks #1 in per capita thefts. This includes locking your vehicle and setting up an alarm and taking all keys and fobs out of the vehicle when not driving it. It's also an excellent idea to lock valuables inside of the vehicle or, better yet, take them completely from the car. However, even if you've taken precautionary measures, you may still be a victim of a crime of opportunity. If you have a key inside of your vehicle and it's stolen, here are the steps to take to report the theft to police and your insurer.
Immediately after your vehicle is reported stolen, contact the police immediately to file a theft report. The more details you can provide the police about your car like its model and make, as well as the license plate number or VIN, the higher the chance of it being returned to you. Inform the police if your vehicle is equipped with an GPS device.
After you've filed a report, contact your insurance company to inform them of the theft. You should be able to do this by phone or online, based on the policies of your insurance provider. Please provide your policy number, the make and model of your car and any other identifying information (like large dents, custom additions and so on.) and the time and location of the theft. Tell your agent if your vehicle is equipped with other technologies such as GPS tracking, that might assist in finding your car.
Be sure to give the police and your insurance company with the same information, as any discrepancies can delay the process of processing your claim. Additionally, if you have significant debt, your insurance company could use this information to determine whether to cover your claim or not. It's best not to leave any personal information or documents in your car, such as receipts, credit card numbers and pay stubs. If you do leave such information in your vehicle, be sure to inform your bank, credit card company and other organizations of the theft so that they can put a halt to any unauthorized charges and alert their security departments.
2. Call Your Insurance Company
It's no secret that car theft is increasing. Every year, thousands of cars with the keys inside are taken. So, it's not just a matter of luck. You can do your part to avoid this crime by putting additional deterrents in place between your vehicle and potential thieves.
The first thing to do is contact your insurance provider as soon as you can after the incident. Your insurance provider will be able to provide you with a rental car while you wait for your car to be returned or reimburse you if it isn't. They can give you the details of your policy and answer any questions. It's also important to file a police report with the name and phone number of the officer who inspected the incident, as well as the time and date of the theft.
Make sure to include all the relevant details of your vehicle, including its model and make as well as a thorough description of the items stolen. Also, remember to include the name and number of any person who had access to the vehicle or any valuables in it. This will help police in their investigation and stop fraud attempts. You may also need to conduct a credit check. This is to ensure you are not in debt to the extent of, which would raise suspicions of fraud and make it more difficult for you to get an acceptable settlement for your stolen car.
You can also get the name and phone number of a representative from your insurance company to help get through the claims process. They will have a variety of ways you can reach them, from a phone number to a chat option, so you can discuss the incident at any time.
While filing a car insurance claim with the police or your insurance company is a hassle and it's important to file it as swiftly as you can. It's not just about making sure 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. File a Claim
Your insurance company will want to be informed in the shortest time possible Therefore, ensure that you have everything organized. This includes where your car was prior to and following the time it was stolen, any photos you may have, and contact details for anyone who was able to access the vehicle. Your insurance company will need to have a clear description of your vehicle including any upgrades or options you may have. Also, keep receipts.
You may be required to make two claims one claim for auto insurance for the vehicle itself and a homeowner or renters insurance claim for any personal belongings inside the car. If you do have comprehensive coverage your auto insurance policy will be able to cover the cost of replacing your property. The limits of your check here policy and your deductible will still apply.
Once your claim is accepted and your insurance company is notified, they will either pay you back the value in cash of the vehicle, if the car has been deemed totaled, or pay the entire cost in the event that the car was found and then returned. You'll then be responsible for the deductible if you decide to repair your vehicle, which is typically not feasible.
An insurer may take up 30 days to settle a claim for a stolen car. It can be difficult to travel during the waiting and you should make sure that your policy will cover rental reimbursement. Most do, but coverage differs by provider and policy.
Report your car to the police immediately if it is not found. This will add your vehicle to national and state databases which makes it more difficult for thieves later on to sell your car. In addition you'll be able file a police report with your insurance company for your car and have it added to your policy.
If you don't want your car to be stolen Keep your keys out of view and secure your vehicle when it is not being used. You can also stop theft by parking your vehicle in well-lit areas and keeping your keys with you.
4. Recover Your Car
As soon as you're sure your car has been stolen with keys inside, call the police to report the theft. This will include the information about your vehicle to federal and state databases, making it more difficult for thieves to steal it. You should also get in touch with your insurer as soon as you can in order to file a stolen vehicle claim.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurer will replace the vehicle you lost with the exception of depreciation. The insurer will consider similar vehicles in your area, mileage on the odometer as well as other factors to decide how the value of your car is. But, you'll still have to pay a $500 deductible.
In addition to paying to replace your vehicle, your insurance company will repair any damage that occurred while your vehicle was taken with the keys inside. If you're using a tracker, it could aid in locating your vehicle after it has been recovered.
It's important to act quickly after your car is taken with keys inside, as delays could result in your claim being rejected or even referred to as fraud. In some cases you could be required to undergo an examination under oath where you're asked questions by a representative from your insurance company under oath.
While your car will be covered by comprehensive auto insurance, you might need to file an individual claim for belongings that were stolen from your vehicle. These items are likely to be covered by renters or homeowners insurance, based on the location they were stored. If you have both your home and auto insurance policies bundled and you want to make both claims at the same time.
Always secure your vehicle and remove the keys from it when not driving it. If you have an extra key, store it in a secure location away from your vehicle. Do not write your name or address on your keys. Choose parking spaces that are well-lit and controlled, and if possible, park off-street. You should also ensure that your vehicle is securely parked and visible, and that it's not blocking driveways or mailboxes.