Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
The idea of putting your car keys in the ignition could appear to be a bad idea but is insurance coverage available for cars stolen with keys inside? Generally, yes. However, there are a few cautions.
Before you file a claim, first ensure that your vehicle is missing. The claim process begins with a police report and a detailed description of the vehicle.
1. Call the Police
With car thefts increasing across the country and Colorado ranking #1 for per capita thefts, you need to take precautionary measures to protect your vehicle and its contents. This includes locking your car, setting up an alarm and taking all keys or fobs out of the vehicle when you're not driving it. It's also a good idea to hide valuables inside of the vehicle or better yet, remove them completely from the car. Even if you've taken precautionary measures, you could be a victim of a crime of opportunity. If you have a key in the interior of your vehicle that's stolen Here are the steps you need to take to report the theft to police and your insurance company.
When your vehicle is reported stolen, call the police to make a theft report. The more details you can provide to the police about your vehicle, including model and make, license plate number, VIN and other identifying characteristics, the better chances it has of being returned to you. Let the police know whether your vehicle is equipped with an GPS device.
Once you've filed a police report, call your insurance company to notify them of the theft. You'll be able to do this over the phone or online, based on your insurance company's policies. Provide your policy number, the vehicle's make and model, any identifying information (like large dents or custom add-ons) and the time and location of the loss. Inform your agent if your vehicle is equipped with any other technology like GPS tracking, that might help them locate your car.
Make sure you give the police and your insurance company with the same details, as any ambiguities could delay the process of processing your claim. The insurance company could also use this information to decide whether or not to settle a claim if you owe a lot of money. It is best not to leave any personal documents or information in your car like receipts, credit card numbers and pay stubs. If you do leave such details in your vehicle, notify your bank and credit card company, and all other authorities regarding the theft. This will allow them to stop any unauthorised charges, and alert their security department.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
Car theft is on the increase. Each year, thousands of cars with the keys inside are taken. So, it's not only a case of luck, but you can do your part to stop this crime by putting more security measures in place between your car and thieves.
The first thing to do is contact your insurance company as soon as you can after the incident. Your insurer can provide you with a rental car while you wait for your car to be returned or reimburse you in the event that it doesn't. They will answer all your questions and provide the details of your insurance policy. It's also crucial to make a police report containing the name and number of the officer who investigated the incident, along with the time and date of the theft.
Be sure to include all pertinent details of your vehicle, such as its make and model, and a detailed description of the items stolen. Also, make sure to include the name and number of any person who had access to the vehicle or any valuables that were in it. This information will assist police investigate the incident and identify people trying to commit fraud. It is also possible to run a credit report. This is to ensure you don't carry a lot of debt that could raise suspicions and make it harder to secure an equitable settlement for your vehicle.
The insurance company may also provide you with the name and phone number of a representative to assist you in the claim process. They will have multiple ways to contact them, ranging from a phone number to a chat service and you can talk about the incident at any time.
When filing a car insurance claim with the police and your insurer is an inconvenience it is essential to file it as swiftly as possible. It's crucial to submit a claim as fast as possible. Not only will it ensure that your car gets the attention it needs and you'll avoid being caught in scams and having insurance denied due to an unintentional error.
3. File a Claim
Your insurer will want to know the full details as soon as they can, so ensure that everything is put in order. This includes where your vehicle was prior to and following the time it was stolen, any photographs you might have, and the contact information of everyone who had access to the vehicle. Your insurance company will need to have a clear description of your vehicle, including any options and upgrades you may have. Also, keep receipts.
You may need to submit two claims. One for your auto insurance policy and another for renters or homeowners for any personal belongings in the vehicle. If you have comprehensive coverage under your auto insurance policy it will provide the funds to replace your property. However, the limits of your policy and deductibles will be in effect.
Once your claim is processed and your insurance company is notified, they will either pay you back the cash value of the car if the car has been deemed totaled, or pay the full cost in the event that the car was recovered and returned. If you decide to repair your car, which isn't always feasible, your insurer will be able to charge you for the deductible.
It could take 30 days or more for an insurance company to settle a stolen vehicle claim. It isn't easy to travel while waiting and you should make sure that your policy covers rental reimbursement. Most do, however the coverage varies by the policy and provider.
If your car isn't located, it is important to report click here it to the police immediately. This will put your car in the national and state databases, which makes it harder for thieves to sell your car later on. You can also include an official police report to your automobile insurance policy by filing it with your insurance company.
The act of leaving keys in your car can cause a car to be stolen, so it's always best to keep them in a safe location and lock the vehicle when it is not in use. You can also deter theft by parking your car in areas that are well-lit and keeping your keys in your pocket.
4. Recover Your Car
If you are certain that your car has been stolen with keys inside, call the police to file a complaint. This will add the information about your vehicle to state and federal databases, making it more difficult for thieves to sell. Contact your insurer immediately to report a stolen car.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your provider will replace the vehicle you lost minus depreciation. The insurer will consider the value of your car by weighing factors like the number of similar vehicles in your area and the mileage on your odometer and many other factors. You'll still be required to pay a $500 deductable.
In addition to paying to replace your vehicle, your insurance company will repair any damage that occurred when your car was stolen with the keys inside. If you're using a tracker, it may aid in locating your car once it's recovered.
It's crucial to act quickly when your car is stolen with the keys inside because delays could lead to your claim being rejected or even being investigated as fraud. In some cases, an insurance representative may be able to ask you questions under oath.
You may need to file a claim on any additional items that were taken from your vehicle. Comprehensive auto insurance will protect your vehicle. These items will probably be covered by renters or homeowners insurance, based on where they were stored. If you have both homeowners and auto insurance policies together you can claim both policies at once.
Always lock your car and take the keys from it when you're not driving it. Keep your spare key in a safe location away from your vehicle. Don't write your name or address on your keys to your car. Rather, pick parking spots that are well-lit, supervised and off-street as much as you can. You should also make sure your car is parked in a safe, easily visible spot and that you're not blocking mailboxes or driveways.