If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have adequate coverage the insurance company will cover your stolen vehicle even if you have left the keys in it. The insurance company will investigate the incident to determine whether it was at fault.
The best thing to do is file a claim as soon as you discover that the vehicle was stolen. Any delay will likely result in your insurance claim being rejected or even being subject to fraud investigations.
1. Don't Panic
If your car has been stolen with keys in it, it is extremely important to stay calm and not make a poor decision that could only exacerbate the situation. The first thing you should do is contact the police. As soon as you call the police, give them as much detail about the vehicle as you can, including the model, make and license plate. It is also important to inform them of any valuables in the vehicle, including laptops, identification badges for work or other personal items.
The police can provide you with the most reliable information regarding your stolen vehicle and the steps they intend to take next. They might even be able to locate your vehicle on your behalf, or even be able to locate the thieves who stole the vehicle.
Many people do not shut their windows or lock their cars especially when they are in a hurry or have children. While it might seem like a silly mistake but it's actually quite easy to do and often has devastating consequences. In these scenarios thieves can simply climb into the drivers seat and drive away as if it were their own car. If no one knows that it's not the owner, thieves can travel for a long time before being stopped by police.
A common error is to leave an ignition or spare key on your person. This is extremely risky because it makes the vehicle easier to start and escape with. Many people do this when they go in to get something or leave their vehicle running for a short time while they go 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.
It is crucial to keep in mind these mistakes and take preventative measures to avoid them in the future. There are many ways to do this starting with installing an alarm system, to parking in areas that are well-lit. In addition, some automobile manufacturers offer security features that discourage thieves or stop them from starting the car. These range from a simple alarm that sounds to the car, or more sophisticated devices that use GPS technology to track the vehicle.
2. Contact the police
As the owner of your vehicle, it's your responsibility to report any attempted or actual theft. Your police department can help you by providing information on what you should do next. They may also give you advice on how to protect your vehicle in the future, like installing a wheellock. They can also provide you with an identification number for the crime that will assist you when making contact with your insurance company.
It's important to provide as much information as possible when reporting the theft of a vehicle. Make sure to provide the exact information to your insurance company and the police. This increases the chance of your car being returned or recovered.
You must be ready to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) as well as the license plate number, the year, make, and model of your vehicle, along with any other distinguishing features. If your vehicle has a GPS tracking device or any other anti-theft technology, be sure to include that information as well.
Another crucial piece of information is the personal belongings which were in the vehicle at the time of the theft. This could include an item like a purse, wallet or any other item that may contain personal information. It's an excellent idea to inform credit card companies, banks and any other organizations that could be involved in the case of a stolen item in your car.
If your personal property is stolen, you should also contact your homeowners' or renters insurance. This is because the items are typically covered by the personal property section of these policies, whereas auto insurance will only cover the damage to your vehicle.
There is no way to prevent an auto burglary, but you can reduce your risk by removing valuables from your car by locking the doors and closing windows at all times. It's also crucial to keep a spare set keys in a different location than your vehicle, and to check your insurance policy annually to ensure you have enough coverage.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurer will pay for the damage or loss to your vehicle, less any applicable deductible. Liability insurance doesn't here cover car thefts. Make sure you have a comprehensive insurance policy prior to lending your vehicle.
3. Don't Try to Search for Your Vehicle All by Yourself
You are required as a car owner to protect your vehicle. That is why it's important to keep your vehicle secured, even when you're away. Also, you should be sure to lock your vehicle every time you leave it, and also to open the windows completely. Also, it's a good idea to avoid leaving your spare keys in the car, or in any other location that might be accessible to criminals.
In reality one of the main reasons that people have their vehicles taken away with keys in it is because they've left a spare key in or close to the vehicle. This is a simple mistake that could have serious consequences, especially in today's world.
Modern thieves have moved beyond the old hotwiring techniques you might observe in a action film and are employing more sophisticated tactics to steal vehicles. This involves a relay attack in which two thieves use electronic devices to capture the signal of the owner's keyfob, then unlock the car, then drive it off.
The good news is that police are now using more efficient technology to catch thieves who try to steal cars with their keys inside. Some companies offer to put a tracking device on your vehicle which can transmit the location of your car to the police. This can reduce the number and likelihood of theft.
You may also want to install an immobilizer to stop your car from being started. This will make it much less difficult for thieves to steal your car and you can find out the identity of a person who tried to start the car by calling the police and by identifying yourself.
If you do decide to search for the vehicle you lost, you should never attempt to do it on your own. This can lead to more damage and possibly the theft of personal belongings from your vehicle. Instead, you should call your insurance company as soon as you can and let them know that your car was stolen and keys were inside. Also, inform them of any personal belongings that were in the car at the time of the theft, like mail or a wallet that contained your credit cards or cash or office badges, other forms of identification and any medication or other medical supplies that were inside the vehicle.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have comprehensive auto insurance (which covers a variety of situations, including theft) You should contact your insurer as soon as you can to make claims. This will allow them to begin the investigation and ensure that you are covered in case your car is damaged or lost.
You should provide your insurer with all the information you can remember about your vehicle including: the year the model, make and year as well as the license plate number and the VIN (vehicle identification number) and where you last was able to see it. It is also beneficial to include information about the circumstances of the theft and what time of the day it was, and whether there was any snow or rain. If you are unsure of any of the above information it is possible to request the police to look up their records to find this information for you.
In some instances it might be necessary to report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles as well. This will prevent the thief using your vehicle to violate the law or damage other property.
When you call your insurance company, you will be required to bring the police report in hand so that they can begin the investigation. You will also have to be prepared to provide any additional information that your insurance agent may request.
You may be able to claim personal items you have stolen from your vehicle by your homeowners ' or renters insurance, based on the area you reside in. You should also notify your finance company or leasing company that your vehicle has been reported as stolen.
Although this is a terrible situation to be in, it is important to stay calm and take action quickly. These tips can help you to do this, and hopefully will result in your car being returned safe and sound to you. If you have to make a claim for a stolen car with keys in it, the best thing to do is consult an independent insurance agent who will guide you through the process and help you find discounts to make the whole experience as smooth as possible.