If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
As long as you have adequate coverage the insurance company will be able to cover your vehicle stolen even if you have left keys in the car. However, the insurance company will conduct a fraud investigation to see whether you were negligent in causing the theft.
The most efficient way to proceed is to file an insurance claim as soon as you are aware that your vehicle was stolen. Your insurance claim will be denied if you wait.
1. Don't Panic
It is important to remain at peace and avoid making a mistake that could cause the situation to get worse. Call the police first. When you have done that, provide them with the most complete information you can about the vehicle, including the model, make and license plate number. Also, inform them whether there were any valuables in your vehicle, like laptops, a badge from your job, or other personal items.
The police can give you the most accurate information about your stolen vehicle, and what they plan to do next. They may be able locate your vehicle or catch the thieves.
Many people forget to close their windows or lock their cars particularly when they are in a hurry or have children with. While it might seem like a stupid mistake, it is very easy to make and often results in tragic consequences. In these situations, thieves will simply climb into the driver's seat and drive away as if it were their car. If no one else around them is aware it isn't the owner, they can travel a very long distance before being stopped by a police officer.
A common mistake is to leave an ignition or spare key on your person. This is risky because it makes it easier to start your vehicle and then run off with. Many people do this when they enter to grab something or leave their vehicle running for a short period of time while they are in a shop. Other common mistakes include driving the car as it is warming up or hurrying into a gas station order to pay for fuel.
Keep these mistakes in mind It is crucial to take proactive steps to avoid them in the future. This can be done in a number of ways, from putting in an alarm system to parking in a well-lit area. Additionally, some automakers have security features that stop thieves from entering or from beginning the car. They can range from a simple alarm that sounds to the car, or more sophisticated devices that make use of GPS technology to locate the car.
2. Call the police
As an owner of a vehicle, it is your duty to report any attempted or actual theft. Your police department will be able to help you by providing information about what actions you need to take next and may even give advice on protecting your vehicle in the future, for instance, installing a wheel lock. Additionally, they can provide you with a reference number that can help you contact your insurance company.
It's important to provide as much information as you can when submitting a report of the theft of a vehicle. Be sure that the information you provide to the police and your insurance company are the same. This increases the chance that your vehicle is returned or found.
The kind of information you must be prepared to provide includes your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number year, year, make and model and any other distinguishing features. Include any details about your vehicle's GPS tracking device, or any other anti-theft technology.
A second important aspect that is vital is the presence of any personal belongings in the vehicle at the time that the theft took place. It could be a wallet, purse or any other item that might contain personal information. It's recommended to notify credit card companies, banks and any other organizations that could be involved in the instance of a stolen item being found in your car.
If your personal property is stolen, also contact your homeowners' or renters' insurance. This is because this kind of property is typically covered under the personal property section of these policies, whereas auto insurance covers only damage to your vehicle.
While there's no way to stop a car theft, you can minimize the chance of it happening by removing any valuables from your vehicle by locking your doors, and closing your windows at all times. It is also advisable to keep an extra key somewhere other than inside your car. Also, check your insurance coverage every year to ensure that you are protected.
If you have comprehensive insurance, the insurer will pay for the damage or loss to your vehicle, less any applicable deductible. Liability insurance does not cover thefts of cars. Make sure you have comprehensive coverage prior to lending your car.
3. Don't Try to Search for Your Vehicle Alone
As a car owner to protect your vehicle. It is essential to ensure that your vehicle is secured even when you are not there. Also, you should be sure to lock your car every time you leave it, and also to open the windows completely. It's also a good idea to keep spare keys in your vehicle or in a place where thieves could gain access to the keys.
One of the most common reasons for car thefts is the fact that people forget to leave a spare key near or inside the vehicle. This is a common mistake that can have serious implications, especially in today's world.
Modern thieves have shifted beyond the traditional hotwiring methods you might encounter in action films and are now employing more sophisticated tactics to steal vehicles. This is what's known as a relay attack, which is when two thieves work together to use an electronic device to record the signal from the owner's key fob. They then unlock the car to take it away.
The good news is that police are now beginning to use more efficient technology to track down thieves who attempt to steal cars with keys inside. Some companies offer to put the device of tracking on your vehicle which can transmit the location of your car to the police. This can help to reduce the number of thefts, and increase the likelihood of being found.
You might also want to install an immobilizer in order to prevent your car from being started. This will make it much less difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle, and you can determine if a thief has tried to start the car by calling the police and identifying yourself.
If you decide to locate your stolen vehicle it is not advisable to search it on your own. This could result in more damage, or even the theft of your personal belongings from your vehicle. Instead, you should contact your insurance company and inform them that your vehicle was stolen with the keys inside. You should also tell them about any personal possessions in the vehicle at the time of theft, including mail, a wallet or purse that contains credit cards, cash or office badges or any other type of identification.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have comprehensive car insurance (which includes a variety of events, including theft) You should contact your insurer as soon as possible to file claims. This will enable them to begin investigating and ensure that you are protected in the event that your vehicle is damaged or stolen.
It is important to provide your insurance company with as many details regarding your vehicle as you are able to remember including the year model, make, and year and the license plate number and the VIN (vehicle ID number) and the location you saw it last. It is also beneficial to provide information on the circumstances of the theft and at what time of the day it occurred, and if there was any snow or rain. If key fob stolen what to do you are unsure about any of these information it is possible to ask the police to verify the records.
In some instances it might be necessary to report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles as well. This will stop a thief from using your vehicle to break the law or damage other property.
You will require the police report to hand when you call your insurer so they can begin the investigation. Also, you must be ready to provide any additional information that your insurance agent may require.
You could be able to claim any personal items that were stolen from your vehicle by your renters' or homeowners' insurance, depending on the location you live in. Additionally, you should notify your finance or leasing company to inform them that the vehicle was reported stolen.
Although this is a difficult situation to be in, it is essential to remain at peace and act swiftly. These tips will help you do this, and hopefully will result in your car getting back safe and sound to you. If you have to make a claim for the car that was stolen with keys in it, the best thing to do is consult an independent insurance broker who can help you through the process and find you discounts to make the ordeal as painless as possible.