If Your Car Was Stolen With Keys Inside, Follow the Police Process
As the cold weather brings us into "Puffing Season" leaving cars running with keys inside has become a popular theft tactic. If your vehicle is stolen with keys inside, you should always make a police report away.
Insurance policies differ but generally, comprehensive coverage will cover cars even if the keys are not in the car. Personal items are usually covered by renters or homeowners insurance, not auto insurance.
Theft
Many car thieves simply attack vehicles with keys inside. It's a simple strategy that is effective: a driver becomes distracted and then the next thing they know is their car is gone. It's a cycle that must be broken and the most effective method to do this is to ensure that you carry your keys when leaving your car, regardless of the location you park.
Every 32 seconds, a vehicle is taken away. The United States suffers losses of $8 billion in vehicle thefts each year. This is why it's crucial to not leave your car in the garage with the keys inside particularly in areas with high crime rates.
Thieves have become extremely clever when they steal vehicles that have key fobs inside them, which means it's imperative to be vigilant. Thieves can utilize a relay attack, signal jamming devices, or other technology to hack into the computer system of a vehicle and reprogram an entirely new key fob. They can also use a tool known as a "slim jim" to slip into the door's cavity at base of the window and alter the locking mechanism inside or linkage.
Hotwiring is another technique that involves taking out the ignition cord of the vehicle and then using an electrical current to start the motor. It's a popular method among teenagers who don't have a full-time job and are looking to make an easy buck. However, it's also a way criminals can use stolen vehicles for joyriding, or other criminal acts.
Dealerships can protect themselves by utilizing vehicles tracking systems and performing regular audits of their key inventory and vehicle records to detect gaps and possible security breaches. They should also encourage drivers to use a signal-blocking pouch or Faraday box for storing their keys, as they can protect against relay attacks and other forms of hacks.
If you do happen to leave your car running without keys in it your insurance company will cover the loss in the event that you have Comprehensive coverage. Your insurance company may conduct credit or other test before reimbursing you.
Damage
Leaving your car unlocked or running with keys inside is almost asking it to be taken. It takes a savvy criminal just a few seconds take off and drive off. Luckily, your insurance provider could cover the theft in the event that you have comprehensive insurance. Certain policies do not cover cars with keys that are left inside. If you're concerned that your policy won't cover this, it may be worth switching auto insurance providers.
Certain states have laws that define the way a person who owns a car is accountable for a car theft that involves keys inside. The rules differ from state to state, so it's important to understand them. In the majority of instances, the owner of the vehicle is not responsible for any accidents that happen when the thief is driving. The thief is not covered by insurance. The car owner also is not responsible for the items taken from the vehicle since these are usually covered by homeowners or renters insurance.
Reporting the car theft immediately to your insurance company as well as to the police is essential. This will accelerate the process and increase your chances of reclaiming property. Be aware that filing multiple claims can affect your insurance rates. Be sure to discuss this with your insurance representative to determine the effect it could have on your policy in here the future.
If you wish to protect your vehicle from being taken when the keys are inside, lock it and close the windows every time you leave. A spare key must be kept in a safe place and not kept in the car. If you have to leave the vehicle running, be sure to put it in park, and then turn off the ignition before you exit.
In addition to avoiding the risk of your vehicle being stolen with keys inside, you should be aware not to leave valuables in your vehicle like laptops and MP3 players. You could be able to make a separate claim if you have added nonpermanent items to your car like the USB device that is connected to the accessory port.
Insurance
A car is stolen every 32 seconds, and vehicle theft cost Americans more than $8 billion every year. Luckily, the majority of cars are covered by insurance policies if they are stolen. In some cases your insurance policy might not cover the cost of repair or replacement of your vehicle. One such circumstance is if you left your keys in the car, and it is taken. This isn't the most frequent scenario however, it can happen.
Your policy will determine whether or not your vehicle is covered in this situation. Most policies that offer comprehensive insurance will cover the vehicle even if it is stolen and the keys remain inside. The amount of money that your insurance company pays will depend on your policy limits and the deductible.
If you have only liability insurance, your car is likely to be stolen if you leave the keys in it. However, you will only receive compensation up to a maximum of $10,000. If you have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle however, you'll be in a position to submit a claim for entire value of your vehicle and the contents inside it (minus your deductible).
There is one major limitation to this scenario: Insurance companies may view leaving your key in your car as a case of negligence. Many insurance companies expect their customers to take reasonable measures to safeguard their vehicles. This includes locking them when they are not in use and ensuring they are not running. If you reside in a location where car thefts are frequent the insurer may increase your premium.
There are other ways to protect your car from theft, by installing an anti-theft system or other security features. You can also check whether you have insurance for your property in place. Insurance policies for homeowners and renters usually cover personal property, which includes your belongings in case they are stolen or lost on or off premises. You can save time and money by filing both claims in one go if you have a property and auto insurance bundle.
Recovery
The best way to ensure your car is recovered after being taken with keys inside is to follow the police process. Report the theft to the local police department. Be sure to give them all the information they require about the vehicle including the VIN license plate, year, model, make, location and any unique features.
Once the police have filed a report, they will start searching for your vehicle. They will use different methods to locate it, including speaking with witnesses, analyzing physical evidence and reviewing surveillance footage. During this period, it's vital to remain patient and check with the police for any updates.
If your vehicle is rescued in the event of a collision, it could need to be examined by an insurance claims adjuster to determine the condition of the vehicle. If it's found to be in good driving condition and the damage was done while it was out of your control and you were not at fault, you will be compensated through your comprehensive insurance. The amount you'll be paid is based on the market value of your car as well as your auto insurance policy deductible and any additional coverages that you may have, such as homeowners or renters.
Another step that might vary based on the guidance of the police or your insurance company is to notify your state's Department of Motor Vehicles about the vehicle that was stolen. This will add the information of your vehicle to a nationwide database of stolen vehicles. This will make it more difficult for criminals to sell or register the stolen vehicle illegally.
Contact your bank to stop the freezing of any credit or debit card that is found in your vehicle that has been stolen. This will prevent fraudulent charges and identity theft. It is a good idea, in the event that you have homeowners insurance or renters coverage, to also notify the police of the theft. Cars and other items are typically covered under these policies. In some cases, you may be able to combine the claims from both policies in order to get a bigger payout for your stolen items.