Five Car Got Stolen With Keys In It Lessons From The Professionals

What to Do If Your Car Got Stolen With Keys in It

If you have comprehensive insurance on your vehicle it will protect your vehicle even if it's not yours to leave the keys inside. However, it's important to act swiftly.

The longer you put off, the more likely it is that your claim will be denied. Fortunately, rental reimbursement coverage is available.

Don't panic

When you're trying to get into your car, and you are unable to locate your keys, it's a frightening moment. It can ruin your day, and it's also extremely difficult. It is essential to be calm and rational. Examine your bags, pockets and other places you may have put them. Also, go back and review your day. Perhaps you threw them somewhere, or reached in your pocket to retrieve your phone, but knocked out your keys.

If you are unable to locate them, it's time to call the police. Reporting the loss of car keys to the police immediately will assist them in finding them and may prevent anyone from using the vehicle without your permission. It is also essential to inform your insurance company about the theft of your car. They can then help you obtain a new set.

Check your policy to see whether the loss of the vehicle is covered. Most policies cover the loss of a vehicle with keys inside, but the terms and conditions vary. Certain companies do not cover personal belongings inside the car therefore you must check with your home or renters insurance provider.

You should also contact the leasing or financing company if the car is leasing. They'll likely be required to report the theft to the police, too. This will shield the owner from being held accountable for the vehicle if it is stolen. It can also expedite the process of getting the vehicle returned.

Installing anti-theft gadgets on your vehicle can also help deter thieves. These devices can include an GPS tracker, a steering wheel lock or a car alarm. These gadgets are more expensive to set up, but will save you money by preventing theft. It is essential to keep your vehicle in good repair and avoid parking it in areas that are prone to danger.

Call the police

If you can't find your car and know it's been stolen the first thing you should do is call the police. They will provide you with a crime reference number which is vital in tracking the progress of the investigation. This will also help with your insurance claim later.

You'll need to provide a detailed description of your vehicle, including the model, make and color as well as the license plate number as well as the VIN which is on your Proof of Insurance card (this could be a physical document or an app on your phone). Please provide any additional information you may have about the vehicle, including when you last saw it, and when and any distinctive features, like an enormous dent, or custom additions, or distinguishing marks or scratches.

Once you have completed a police report, it's crucial to inform your insurance company as soon as possible. This will help speed the process and could even protect you from undue liability. If the thief drives your vehicle and causes an accident, you may be held liable based on your state's laws and insurance coverage.

Car thefts with keys left in them are on the rise, according to NICB data. Every 32 seconds, a vehicle with keys inside is robbed in the United States. This results in an annual loss of over $8 billion.

The best way to prevent this is to always lock your vehicle and never leave valuables in plain sight. You should also open your windows to the maximum and make sure you don't leave your vehicle running unattended particularly with keys in it.

If you have home or renters' insurance, it may protect the items in your vehicle if they're covered under these policies. If you had electronics in your vehicle it is likely that they wouldn't be covered under this kind of policy.

It is also essential to keep an eye on your financial accounts with care if you have any personal documents in your vehicle like paycheck stubs and receipts. You should alert your bank as soon as you can.

Get a spare key

The loss of your car keys was not a major problem in the past. You could bring them to your local key maker and have them duplicated for a relatively inexpensive price. Many cars now have high-tech security features that make it difficult to replace the key on the vehicle that has been stolen without contacting the automaker or dealer for help.

If you have a spare key, the first thing to do is to place it somewhere safe and easy to access when you're at home. For instance, you could keep it in your home in a drawer that is specifically designed for it or in a key box by the door. Or, you might give an extra key to a neighbor or friend that you are confident in.

If you have an extra key the next step is to call your dealership to find out whether they can assist. They'll probably be able to deactivate the stolen key fob so that it isn't able to start your car. This should be a simple process, but it depends on the particular model and year of vehicle.

It is also possible to contact your insurance company for comprehensive coverage, which covers things like stolen vehicles with keys inside. This type of cover is typically covered in the majority of auto policies, but more info it is best to review the specific policy for more details.

If your car was stolen with the keys inside, you should also file a police complaint. It is crucial to inform the lender that you own a financed or leased car. Insurance claims can even help you get a new key or replace the one you lost.

To prevent having your car taken away with keys in it in the future, you should always lock the doors of your vehicle, even if you're not in the car for a short time. You should also consider putting in antitheft devices that make it harder for thieves to break into your vehicle. This includes the locking of the steering wheel and brake pedal locks. You should also park in secure and well-lit areas and be sure to not leave valuables or the title of your vehicle inside.

Contact your insurance company

It is important to contact your insurance company immediately after filing the police report. The majority of insurance companies have online systems which make the process quick and easy. Avoid delays and back-and forth by contact your agent directly instead of contacting an automated call center. Prepare to answer any questions. They will ask you to provide details regarding your car, such as the year, make and model, the color and its license plate number and where and when it was stolen and any other pertinent information. They will also want to know whether the vehicle is equipped with any special features, such as the GPS system or other security measures.

If you have comprehensive coverage, the car will be covered regardless of the fact that the keys were left in it. However, if you only have liability insurance, the vehicle is not covered. It is for this reason that you should always have a comprehensive insurance policy for your car.

Your car insurance policy will typically cover the actual value of the cash value of your stolen vehicle. This is the market value at the moment of the theft and less any deductible that is applicable. You'll likely be asked to submit a third-party assessment of your car and keep it on file or search for one online.

Once the claim is processed and the claim is approved, you will be granted a waiting period that will vary depending on the insurer. During this period the insurance company will be looking for the vehicle that is to be recovered. If it is, you will be compensated for the car (minus your deductible).

If you're lucky, you may be successful in getting your car back in the time period. If it isn't, you'll get the actual value (minus your deductible) of the vehicle you lost. You can use the money to purchase a new vehicle should you choose to. Remember, however that any claims you make to your insurance policy could raise your rates. Talk to your agent if you're not sure whether you should make claims.