What to Do If Your Car Got Stolen With Keys in It
If you have comprehensive insurance for your vehicle, it will cover your vehicle even if you leave the keys inside. But, it's crucial to act swiftly.
The more time passes the more likely it is that your claim will be rejected or subject to fraud investigation. Fortunately, rental reimbursement coverage is available.
Don't panic
It's a frightening moment when you go to get your car and realise you're not able to find your keys. It can ruin your entire day, and it's also really annoying. It's essential to be calm and rational. Take a look in your bags, pockets and other places you may have placed them. It is also advisable to revisit your day. Maybe you dropped them somewhere or reached into your pocket to grab your phone, but knocked out your keys.
Call the police if you cannot find them. Reporting the loss of keys to your car to police immediately will help them find them, and could stop someone from using the vehicle without your permission. Notifying your insurance company of the theft of your vehicle is important. They will then assist you to obtain a new set.
It is advisable to check your insurance policy to determine whether it covers your car's loss. The majority of policies cover a vehicle that was stolen with keys inside, however the terms and conditions vary. Some companies do not cover personal items in the car. Check with your home insurance or renters insurer.
You should also contact the leasing or financing company if your vehicle is leased. They'll likely need to report the theft to the police as well. This will shield the owner from being held accountable for the vehicle if it is stolen. It can also speed up the process of getting the vehicle returned.
It is also recommended to install anti-theft devices inside your vehicle to discourage thieves. These could include an GPS tracker, a steering wheel lock, or an alarm for your car. These gadgets are more expensive to install but will save you money by preventing theft. The key is to keep your car in good shape and to not leave it parked in dangerous areas.
Contact the police
If you are unable to locate your car and you suspect that it's gone missing the first thing you should do is call the police. You will be given the crime reference number which is vital for tracking the progress of your investigation. This will aid you in your insurance claim in the future.
You will be required to provide a thorough description of your car, including the model, make and color as well as the license plate number as well as the VIN number that can be found on your Proof of Insurance card (this could be either a physical document or an app for your phone). If you have any other details about the location and time you last saw it for example, distinctive features such as large dents or custom accessories or distinctive scratches and marks, you must provide that too.
It's important to notify your insurer as soon you submit a police complaint. This will accelerate the process and also protect you from a high risk of liability. This is because, if the thief causes an accident while driving your vehicle and you are accountable based on your state laws and insurance coverage.
NICB data indicates that car thefts in which keys are left in the vehicle are increasing. In fact, a car is stolen with keys inside it every 32 seconds across the United States and this accounts for over $8 billion of losses annually.
The best way to prevent this is to always secure your car and not put valuables in plain view. Also, you should open the windows completely and make sure you don't leave your car running while unattended particularly with keys inside.
If you have home or renters insurance, it could cover the items inside your car if they are covered under these policies. If, however, you had electronics in your car, they likely wouldn't be covered under this type of policy.
It's also important to monitor your financial accounts carefully if you have any personal documents in your car such car key stolen insurance as pay receipts and stubs. They could be used for identity theft, and you'll want to alert your bank and other institutions as soon as you can.
Find a spare key
The loss of your car keys was not a huge problem in the past. You could go to a local key maker and get them duplicated at an affordable cost. Nowadays, however, a lot of cars have high-tech security features that make it difficult to replace a stolen key without going to the dealer or automaker to get assistance.
If you have an extra key, it is best to put it in a place that is secure and easily accessible when you are away from home. For example, you might keep it in your house in a drawer that is specifically designed for it or in a keybox near the door. Or, you could give an extra key to a neighbor or friend that you are confident in.
Once you have a spare key, the next step is to call your dealer to see if they can help. They'll likely be able deactivate the key fob that was stolen so that it can't be used to start your car. This is a straightforward procedure, but it will depend on the specific model and year of vehicle.
It is also possible to speak with your insurance company for comprehensive coverage, which covers things like stolen vehicles with keys in them. The majority of auto insurance policies cover this type of protection however, you should verify the policy for specific details.
Another thing to do if your car got stolen and keys were inside it is to file a claim with the police. It is essential to notify the lender that you own a car that is financed or leased. You may even be able to obtain new keys or an alternative to your lost ones through the insurance claim.
To ensure that your vehicle isn't and the keys inside it in the future, you should always secure the doors of your vehicle, even if you're away for a short time. You should also consider putting in antitheft devices that make it more difficult for thieves to gain access to your vehicle. These include steering wheel locks and brake pedal locks. Parking in well-lit, secure areas is also recommended. Avoid leaving valuables inside your vehicle or the title.
Contact your insurance company
If you have completed a police report and you have received a police report, you must contact your insurance company right away. Most insurance companies offer online services that make it easy and quick to complete the process. Contact your agent directly instead of a call center operator to avoid back-and-forth and delays in this highly-sensitive situation. Be prepared to answer any questions they might have. They will require you to provide information regarding your car, such as the year, model and year of the vehicle along with the color and license plate number, as well as where and when it was taken and any other pertinent details. They will also want to know if the car has any unique features, such as an GPS system or any other security measures.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your vehicle will be covered even if the keys are left in the car. If, however, you only have liability insurance, the car is not covered. This is the reason why you should always have a comprehensive insurance policy on your vehicle.
Typically, your car insurance will cover the actual 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. Most likely, you will be asked to provide an independent evaluation of your vehicle and keep it on file or search for one online.
After the claim is completed, you might be given a waiting time. This will vary from insurer to insurer. During this period the insurance company will be looking for the vehicle that is to be recovered. You will receive a refund for the vehicle (minus any deductible).
If you're fortunate the car will be found and returned to you within the waiting period. If not the case, you will be refunded for the cash value of your stolen car (minus the deductible). If you're planning on purchasing a new car you can use this money to purchase it. Be aware, however that any claims you make on your policy could increase your rates. If you're unsure whether or not you should submit a claim, talk to your insurance agent and get their opinion.