Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
It might seem like a negative thing to leave your car keys in the ignition but is insurance coverage for vehicles that are stolen with keys inside them? Generally, yes. There are a few caveats.
Before you file an insurance claim, you must first ensure that your vehicle is actually missing. Be aware that the claim process begins with a police investigation and an accurate description of your vehicle.
1. Call the Police
With car thefts increasing across the country and Colorado being the top state for per capita thefts, it's essential to take preventive measures to protect your vehicle and its contents. This includes locking your car and setting up an alarm, and taking all keys and fobs out of the vehicle when not driving it. It's also a good idea to hide valuables inside the vehicle or, better yet, remove them completely from the car. Even if you've taken precautions but you may still be the victim of a crime-of-opportunity. If you have a key in the interior of your vehicle that's stolen, here are the steps to take to inform the police and your insurance company.
If your vehicle is reported stolen, you should contact the police immediately to file an official theft report. The more details you can provide the police regarding your vehicle including the model and make as well as the license plate number or VIN, the better the chance of it being returned to you. Also inform the police whether your vehicle is equipped with a GPS device.
After you've filed a report, call your insurance company to notify them of the theft. Based on the policies of your insurance company, you may be able to notify them via telephone or online. Input your policy number, the vehicle's model and make, as well as any identifying information (like large scratches or custom-designed add-ons) and the date and location of the theft. Inform your insurance company if you have any other technology on your vehicle, for instance a GPS tracking system that could help them locate it.
Don't forget to give your insurance provider and the police the same information. Any discrepancies can delay the processing of your claims. If you're in substantial debt, the insurance company will use this information to determine whether to cover your claim or not. This is the reason it's best to avoid leaving any personal documents or data in your vehicle, including credit cards, receipts and pay stubs. If you do leave such information in your vehicle, be sure to inform your bank, credit card companies and other entities of the theft so they can stop any unauthorized charges and alert their security departments.
2. Call Your Insurance Company
It's not a secret that car theft is increasing. Every year, thousands cars with the keys inside are taken. So, it's not just a case of luck. You can do your part to prevent this from happening by putting more security measures in place between your vehicle and thieves.
The first thing you have to do is contact your insurance provider as soon as possible after the incident. You can request an auto rental from your insurer while you wait to recover your vehicle or get compensation if you do not. They will be able to answer all of your questions and provide the specifics of your insurance policy. It's also important to make a police report containing the name and phone number of the officer who conducted an investigation into the incident, along with the time and date of the theft.
Be sure to include all pertinent details of your vehicle, such as the model and make, and a detailed description of the items stolen. Make sure to include the name as well as the number and details of anyone who may have had access to your vehicle or the valuables inside. This will help police investigate and eliminate fraud attempts. You may also want to check your credit report. This is to make sure that you don't have an excessive amount of debt that could cause suspicion and make it difficult to get an equitable settlement for your car.
Your insurance company will provide you with the name and phone number of a representative who can help you navigate the claims process. They'll have several ways to contact them, from a phone number to a chat option to discuss the incident at any time.
It may be an inconvenience to make a claim for car insurance with your insurance company and the police, but it is crucial to file it in the earliest time possible. It is crucial to file a claim as soon as possible. Not only will it ensure that your car gets the attention it needs but it will also help you avoid being caught in a scam and having coverage denied due to a simple error.
3. Claim your Benefits
Your insurer will want to know the full details as soon as they can, so ensure that everything is put in order. Include any photos as well as the location of your car before and after the loss, and the contact information of any person who had access it. Your insurance company will require a precise description of your vehicle including any upgrades and options you may have. Also, keep receipts.
You may be required to make two claims. One for the auto insurance policy and another for renters or homeowners for any personal belongings in the vehicle. If you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy it should provide the funds to replace your property. Your policy's limits as well as your deductible are still in place.
After your claim has been completed, your insurance company will either pay the actual cash value of your car in the event that it's declared totaled, or pay the full cost if your vehicle is found and returned. Then, you'll be responsible for your deductible in the event that you decide to repair the vehicle, which is typically not feasible.
An insurer could take up to 30 days to resolve an insurance claim for a stolen car. While you wait it can be difficult to get around and you should check whether your policy provides rental reimbursement. The majority of policies do, but coverage varies depending on the policy and provider.
Report your vehicle to the police immediately if not found. This will put your vehicle in national and state databases, which makes it harder for thieves to steal your car later on. You can also add the police report to your car insurance policy by submitting it to your insurer.
If you don't want your vehicle to be taken away keep your keys out of sight and lock your vehicle when it's not being used. You can also prevent theft by parking your car in well-lit areas and keeping your key with you.
4. Recover Your Car
If you are certain that your car has been stolen with keys inside, you should call the police to file a report. This will include the information about more info your vehicle to federal and state databases which makes it harder for thieves to sell. You should also contact your insurance company as soon as possible to file a stolen vehicle claim.
If you have comprehensive coverage, your provider will pay to replace the vehicle that was stolen, minus depreciation. The insurance company will evaluate the value of your vehicle by taking into account factors such as similar vehicles in your region, the mileage on your odometer, and other factors. You'll still need to pay a $500 deductable.
In addition to the cost to replace your vehicle, your insurance company will repair any damage that occurred when your vehicle was taken with the keys inside. If you're using an electronic tracker, it can assist the police in finding your car after it is recovered.
It's important to act quickly after your car is stolen with keys inside, as delays could result in your claim being denied or even referred to as fraud. In certain cases you might be required to take an examination under oath, in which you're questioned by a representative from your insurance company under the oath.
You may need to file another claim for any items that were taken from your vehicle. Comprehensive auto insurance will protect your vehicle. These items are likely covered by renters or homeowners insurance, depending on the location where they were stored. However, if you have your auto and home insurance policies together and you want to make both claims at the same time.
If you're not in your car, always secure it by locking it and taking out the keys. If you have a spare key, keep it in a secure location away from your car. Never write your name or address on your car keys and select parking spaces that are well-lit, monitored and off the street whenever possible. You should also make sure your car is parked in a safe, easily visible spot and that you're not blocking mailboxes or driveways.