Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
It may seem like a negative thing to put your car keys in the ignition however, is insurance covered for vehicles that are stolen with keys inside them? Generally, yes. However there are some caveats.
Before filing an insurance claim, make sure you verify that your car is missing. Know that the claim process starts with a police investigation and a thorough description of your car.
1. Call the Police
It's important to take preventative measures to protect your vehicle and its contents. Car theft is on the rise across the country, and Colorado ranks #1 in per capita thefts. This includes locking your car, setting up an alarm and taking all keys and fobs out of the vehicle when you're not driving it. It's also recommended to store valuables inside the vehicle or better yet, remove them completely from the car. However, even having taken preventive steps, you might be the victim of a crime of opportunity. If you have a key in the interior of your vehicle when it's stolen and you want to report it, here are the steps to follow to report the theft to the police and your insurance.
It is important to contact the police as soon as your vehicle has been reported stolen and make a formal report. The more information you are able to give the police about your vehicle, such as its model and make, as well as the license plate number, VIN number and other identifying characteristics, the better chance it will have of being returned to you. Let the police know whether your vehicle has an GPS device.
After you've filed the police report, you need to contact your insurance company and inform them of theft. You should be able to do this over the phone or online, depending on your insurance company's policies. Provide your policy number, the vehicle's model and make, any identifying information (like large damage or custom-made add-ons) and the time and location of the theft. Inform your insurance company whether you have any other technology in your vehicle, like a GPS tracking system, that can assist in finding it.
Don't forget to give your insurance company and police the same information. Any discrepancies could delay the process of processing your claims. The insurance company could also make use of this information to determine whether or not to pay claims in the event that you owe a large amount of money. It is best not to leave any personal information or documents in your vehicle, such as receipts, credit card numbers, and paycheck stubs. If you do leave any of these information in your car, notify your bank and credit card company, and all other organizations regarding the theft. This will allow them to block any unauthorized charges and notify their security departments.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
It's no secret that vehicle theft is increasing. In fact thousands of vehicles are stolen with the owner's keys inside every year. This isn't just a case of luck, but you can help prevent this from happening by putting more security measures in place between your vehicle and potential thieves.
The first thing to do is contact your insurance company as soon as you can after the theft has occurred. You can obtain a rental vehicle from your insurance company while you wait to recover your car or receive compensation if you don't. They can answer all your questions and provide the details of your insurance policy. You should also submit a police report with the name and number of the police officer who was involved in the investigation and the time and date.
Make sure you include all the relevant details of your vehicle, including its make and model, and a detailed description of the items stolen. Also, make sure to include the name and contact number of anyone who had access to the vehicle or any valuables that were in it. This information will assist police investigate the claims and eliminate people trying to commit fraud. It is possible to conduct a credit check in addition. This is to ensure you are not in significant debt, which would raise suspicions of fraud and make it more difficult to negotiate an acceptable settlement for your car that was stolen.
You can also get the name and number of an insurance company to help to navigate the claims process. They'll have several ways to contact them, from a phone number to a chat option, so you can discuss the incident at your convenience.
It can be a hassle to make a claim for car insurance with your insurer as well as the police, but it is crucial to file it as soon as you can. It's not just about making sure your vehicle receives the attention it needs however, it will also help you avoid getting involved in a scam, or being denied coverage because of an oversight.
3. File a Claim
You'll need to give all the information as soon as you can. This includes where your vehicle was prior to and following the time it was stolen, any photos you might have, and contact information for everyone who had access to the vehicle. Your insurance company will also require a detailed description of your vehicle including any options and upgrades you might have. If you have receipts for your purchase, these are essential as well.
You could be required to file two claims for insurance: an auto claim for the vehicle itself and a homeowner or renters insurance claim for personal belongings that were in the vehicle. If you do have comprehensive coverage the auto insurance policy will be able to cover the cost of replacing your property. The limits of your policy and your deductible will remain in effect.
After your claim is accepted, your insurance company will either pay you back the value in cash of the car if the car is totaled, or pay the full cost in the event that the vehicle was found and then returned. Then, you'll be responsible for your deductible if you decide to repair the vehicle, which is typically not feasible.
An insurance company could take up 30 to 60 days to resolve an insurance claim for a car that has been stolen. It can be difficult to travel while you wait, so make sure your policy will cover rental reimbursement. Most do, however the coverage differs by provider and policy.
If your vehicle isn't located, it is important to report it to police immediately. This will add your car to the databases of both states and national which makes it more difficult for thieves later to sell your car. Additionally, you'll be able to file a police report with your insurance company for your car and have it added to your policy.
If you don't want your vehicle to be taken away, keep your keys away from view and lock your car when it is not in use. You can also try to prevent theft by parking in well-lit areas and keeping your keys with at all times and avoid putting valuables inside the car.
4. Recover Your Car
As soon as you are certain that your car was taken with keys inside, notify the police and file a claim. This will add the information about your vehicle to both federal and state databases, making it more difficult for thieves to sell. Contact your insurance company immediately to report a stolen vehicle.
If you have comprehensive insurance, the company will replace the vehicle you lost minus depreciation. The insurance company will take into account comparable vehicles in your area, the mileage on the odometer, and other factors to determine how the value of your car is. But, you'll still have to pay the $500 deductible.
In addition to paying to replace your vehicle and repairing any damage, your insurance company will repair any damage that was caused when your vehicle was stolen with keys inside. If you own a device to track your car that tracks your vehicle, it could assist police find your car once it's recovered.
It's important to act quickly after your car is stolen with the keys inside as delays could lead to your claim being denied or even referred to as fraud. In certain instances, you may be required to take an examination under oath where you'll be asked questions by a representative of your insurance company under the oath.
You may have to file an another claim for any items that were stolen from your vehicle. Comprehensive auto insurance will cover your car. These items are most likely to be covered by renters or homeowners insurance, based on the place they were stored. If you have both your homeowners and auto insurance policies combined website you can claim both policies at once.
When you are not driving your vehicle, make sure you lock it and take out the keys. Keep the spare key in a safe location away from your car. Don't put your name or address on your keys. Choose parking spots that are well-lit and monitored and as far as possible you can park off-street. You should also make sure your car is parked in a safe, visible spot and that you're not blocking any driveways or mailboxes.