This Week's Top Stories Concerning Car Stolen With Keys
Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?Car keys left in the ignition could appear to be a bad idea but is insurance covered for cars that are stolen with keys in them? Generally, yes. However, there are some caveats.
Before you file an insurance claim, you must first confirm that your vehicle is indeed missing. Know that the claim process will start with a police report and a thorough description of your vehicle.
1. Call the Police
It's important to take preventative measures to protect your vehicle and its contents. Car theft is increasing nationwide, and Colorado is the top state for per capita thefts. This includes locking your car and setting up an alarm, and taking all keys and fobs out of the vehicle when you're not driving it. It's also a good idea to hide valuables inside the vehicle, or better yet, take them completely from the vehicle. Even taking precautionary measures, you may still be the victim of a crime of chance. If your vehicle is stolen and you have your keys inside Follow these steps to inform the police and to your insurance company.
When your vehicle is reported stolen, you must call the police to make an official theft report. The more details you can give the police about your car like the model and make as well as the license plate number or VIN, the higher chances that it will be returned to you. Also inform the police whether your vehicle is equipped with a GPS device.
After you've filed your police report, contact your insurance company and inform them of theft. You should be able to make this call or online, depending on the policies of your insurance company. Provide your policy number, the car's model and make, as well as any identifying information (like large dents or custom add-ons) as well as the date and location of the theft. Inform your insurance company that you have other equipment in your vehicle, for instance a GPS tracking system, that could assist in locating it.
Don't forget to give your insurance company and the police the same information. Any discrepancies can delay the processing of your claims. If you're in significant debt, the insurance company could utilize this information to decide whether to pay your claim or not. This is why it's best to not leave any personal documents or information in your vehicle, including receipts, credit cards and pay stubs. If you do leave such information in your car inform your bank and credit card company, and any other organizations about the theft. This will allow them to block any unauthorized charges and also alert their security department.
2. Contact Your Insurer
Car theft is on the increase. Every year, thousands cars with the keys inside are stolen. It's not just luck. You can help prevent this crime by adding more security measures to your vehicle.
The first thing to do is contact your insurance provider as soon as you can after the theft has occurred. Your insurance provider will provide you with a rental vehicle while you wait for your car to be recovered or compensate you in the event that it doesn't. They will be able to provide you with specifics of your policy and answer any questions. It's also crucial to file a police report with the name and number of the officer who inspected the incident, as well as the time and date of the theft.
Make sure to include all the relevant details of your vehicle, including its model and make and a full description of the items that were stolen. Also, remember to include the name and contact number of anyone who had access to the vehicle or any valuables in it. This information will help police investigate the incident and identify those who are trying to commit fraud. It is also possible 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 car that was stolen.
The insurance company may also provide you with the name and phone number of a representative who will help you navigate the claims process. They will have multiple ways to contact them, from a phone number to a chat method and you can talk about the incident at any time.
It could be a hassle to make a claim for car insurance with your insurer and the police, but it's important to do so as soon as possible. This will not only ensure that your car gets the attention it needs, but it can help you avoid being caught in a scam or being denied coverage here because of a simple mistake.
3. Claim your Benefits
You will need to provide all the information as quickly as you can. This includes where your car was before and after it was stolen, any photographs you might have, and contact details for anyone who was able to access the vehicle. Your insurance company needs the full description of your car, including any upgrades and other options. Keep receipts.
You may have to make two claims. One for the auto insurance policy, and the other for homeowners or renters for any personal belongings that were in the car. If you have a comprehensive coverage on your auto policy it should cover the cost to replace your property. However, the policy's limits and deductibles will be in effect.
Once your claim has been completed, your insurance company will either pay you back the actual cash value of your car in the event that it's declared totaled, or pay the entire cost if the vehicle is found and returned. If you decide to repair the vehicle, which isn't always feasible, your insurer will charge you for the deductible.
It could take 30 days or more for an insurer to settle a stolen vehicle claim. While you're waiting for the settlement, it may be difficult to get around so make sure to check whether your policy provides rental reimbursement. The majority of policies do, but coverage is contingent on the provider and policy.
If your car is never found, it's important to report it to police right away. This will put your car in national and state databases which makes it more difficult for thieves to sell your car later on. In addition, you'll be able to make a police report with your insurance company for your car and have it added to your policy.
If you don't want your vehicle to be taken away, keep your keys out of sight and secure your vehicle when it is not in use. You can also try to avoid theft by parking in well-lit areas and carrying your keys with you at all times, and avoiding hiding valuables in the car.
4. Recover Your car
When you are sure that your car was stolen with the keys inside, contact the police and file a report. This will add the details about your vehicle to state and federal databases, making it more difficult for thieves to steal it. It is also recommended to contact your insurer as soon as you can to file a stolen vehicle claim.
If you have comprehensive insurance and your insurance company will pay to replace the vehicle that was stolen, minus depreciation. The insurance company will consider similar vehicles in your region, mileage on the odometer, and other factors to determine the value of your car is. But, you'll still have to pay the $500 deductible.
In addition to paying to replace your vehicle, your insurance company will repair any damage that was caused when your vehicle was stolen with keys inside. If you have an electronic device that tracks your vehicle it can help police locate your vehicle after it's recovered.
If your vehicle has been taken with your keys inside, you should respond immediately. If you delay, it could lead to your claim to be rejected or be investigated 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.
While your car will be covered by comprehensive auto insurance, you may require an additional claim for items that were stolen from your vehicle. These items will likely be covered by homeowners or renters insurance, based on the location you kept them. If you have both your homeowners and auto insurance policies bundled together, you can file both claims simultaneously.
Always lock your car and remove keys from it when you're not driving it. Keep the spare key in a safe location away from your car. Never write your name or address on your keys. Pick parking spots that are well-lit and monitored and if possible, you can park off the street. You should also ensure that your vehicle is parked safely and clearly visible, and is not blocking driveways or mailboxes.