3 Common Reasons Why Your Car Stolen With Keys Isn't Working (And Solutions To Resolve It)
3 Common Reasons Why Your Car Stolen With Keys Isn't Working (And Solutions To Resolve It)
Blog Article
Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
It might seem like a bad thing to put your car keys in the ignition but is insurance coverage for stolen cars with keys inside? Generally, yes. However there are some exceptions.
First, ensure that your vehicle is truly missing before you file a claim. Know that the claim process will start with a police report and an accurate description of the vehicle.
1. Contact the police
It's important to adopt preventative measures to secure your vehicle and its contents. Car theft is on the rise all over the world, and Colorado is the top state for per capita thefts. This includes locking your vehicle, setting up an alarm, and taking all keys or fobs out of the vehicle when not driving it. It's also recommended to store 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 and it's stolen, here are the steps to follow to report the theft to the police and your insurance.
Immediately after your vehicle is reported stolen, you should contact the police immediately to make an official theft report. The more information you can provide to the police about your vehicle, such as its model and make, license plate number, VIN and identification features, the greater chance it will have of being returned to you. Also let the police know if your vehicle is equipped with a GPS device.
After you've filed a police report, call your insurance company to inform them of the theft. Based on the policies of your insurance company, you might be able to do this via telephone or online. Input your policy number, your car's model and make, as well as any identifiable details (like large dents or custom add-ons) and the time and location of the loss. Inform your agent if the vehicle is equipped with other technologies, such as GPS tracking, that might help them locate your car.
Don't forget to provide your insurance provider and the police with the same information. Any discrepancies could hinder the process of processing your claims. The insurance company could also use this information to decide whether or not to pay a claim if you owe a lot of money. It is recommended not to leave any personal documents or information in your car like receipts, credit card numbers and pay stubs. If you do leave this information in your vehicle, be sure to inform your bank, credit card companies and other companies of the theft so they can stop any unauthorized charges and alert their security departments.
2. Contact Your Insurer
Car theft is on the increase. Each year, thousands of vehicles with keys inside are stolen. This isn't only a case of luck. You can help prevent this from happening by putting more security measures in place between your car and thieves.
Contact your insurance company immediately after the theft. Your insurance company will provide you with a car rental while you wait for your vehicle to be returned or compensate you if it's not. They will be able to answer all of your questions and provide you with the specifics of your insurance policy. You must also file a police complaint with the name and phone number of the police officer who investigated the incident and the date and time.
Include all relevant details regarding your vehicle, including the model and make of your vehicle, and an extensive description of the items that were stolen. Make sure to include the name, number and any other information about anyone who may have had access to your vehicle or valuables inside. This information can help police investigate the claims and eliminate those who are trying to commit fraud. You may also want to check your credit report. This is to make sure you aren't in a significant amount of debt, which would raise suspicions of fraud and make it more difficult to negotiate an acceptable settlement for your stolen car.
Your insurance company will provide you with the name and 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 option to discuss the incident whenever you want.
If filing a car insurance claim with the police and insurer can be a hassle and it's important to do so as quickly as you can. It's not just about making sure your car gets the attention it needs, but it can help you avoid being victimized by a scam or being denied coverage due to an oversight.
3. Claim your Benefits
Your insurer will want to know all the facts as soon as they can, so make sure you have everything organized. Include any photographs, the location of your car before and after it's theft, and the contact information of those who had access to it. The insurance company will require an exact description of your car, including any upgrades or options. If you have receipts for your purchase, these are essential as well.
You could be required to submit two claims: an auto insurance claim for the car itself, and a homeowner or renters insurance claim for any personal belongings that were in the vehicle. If you do have a comprehensive insurance policy the auto insurance policy should be able to cover the cost of replacing your property. However, the policy's limits and deductible will apply.
After your claim is completed and your insurance company is notified, they will either pay you back the actual cash value of the vehicle if the vehicle is deemed totaled, or pay the entire amount in the event that the car was recovered and then returned. If you decide to repair the car, which isn't always feasible, your insurance will charge you for the deductible.
It could take 30 days or more for an insurance company to settle a stolen vehicle claim. It can be difficult to travel while waiting and you should make sure that your policy will cover rental reimbursement. The majority of policies do, but coverage can vary based on the policy of the provider and.
Inform the police immediately if it is not found. This will put your vehicle in the national and state databases which makes it much more difficult for thieves to sell your vehicle later. In addition, you'll be able to file a police report with your auto insurance company and have it added to your policy.
If you leave your keys in your car could lead to a stolen car, so it's always best to keep them in a safe location and lock your vehicle when it is not in use. You can also try to avoid theft by parking in well-lit areas, taking your key with your at all times, and not putting valuables in the car.
4. Recover Your Car
When you are sure that your car was taken with keys inside, notify the police and file a claim. This will add your vehicle's details to state and national databases, making it more difficult for thieves to sell it. Contact your insurance company immediately to report a vehicle that has been stolen.
If you have comprehensive insurance the insurer will pay to replace the vehicle that was stolen, minus depreciation. The insurer will consider the value of your vehicle by weighing in factors such as similar vehicles in your region, the mileage on your odometer, and other aspects. You'll still need to pay a $500 deduction.
In addition to paying to replace your vehicle and repairing any damage, your insurance company will repair any damage that was caused when your vehicle was stolen with here 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 when your car is stolen with keys inside, as delays could lead to your claim being denied or even investigated as fraud. In certain instances an insurance agent could be able to ask you questions under oath.
You may have to file an an additional claim for any items that were stolen from your vehicle. Comprehensive auto insurance will cover your vehicle. These items will probably be covered by renters or homeowners insurance, depending on where you kept them. If you have both your home and auto insurance policies together and you want to make both claims at the same time.
When you are not driving your vehicle, you must always lock it and take out the keys. Keep your spare keys in a safe 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. Also, make sure your car is parked in a safe, easily visible place and that you're blocking any driveways or mailboxes.