Can Car Stolen With Keys Ever Rule The World?

Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?

The idea of putting your car keys in the ignition may 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 a claim, first verify that your car is actually missing. The claim process starts with a police statement and a thorough description of the vehicle.

1. Contact the police

With car theft spiking nationwide and Colorado ranking #1 for per capita thefts, it's essential to take preventive measures to secure your vehicle and its contents. This includes locking your vehicle and setting up an alert and removing all keys and fobs from the vehicle when you're not driving. It's also an excellent idea to lock valuables inside the vehicle, or better yet, take them completely from the vehicle. However, even taking precautionary measures, you may still be a victim of a crime of opportunity. If you have a key inside of your vehicle and it's stolen and you want to report it, here are the steps to follow to report the theft to the police and your insurer.

Immediately after your vehicle is reported stolen, contact the police immediately to submit a theft report. The more information that you can give the police regarding your vehicle including the model and make as well as the license plate number, or VIN, the greater the chance of it being returned to you. Inform the police if your vehicle has a GPS device.

Once you've filed a police report, call your insurance company to inform them about the theft. Depending on the policies of your insurance company, you might be able do this by phone or via the internet. Input your policy number, your car's make and model, any identifying details (like large dents or custom add-ons) and the date and location of the loss. Inform your insurance company whether you have any other technology in your vehicle, like a GPS tracking system, that could help them locate it.

Be sure to provide the police and your insurance company the same details, as any ambiguities can delay the process of your claim. The insurance company could also use this information to decide whether or not to settle claims when you owe a significant amount of money. This is why it's advisable to keep all personal documents or information in your vehicle, such as credit cards, receipts and pay stubs. If you do leave any of these details in your vehicle, notify your bank, your credit card company, as well as any other organizations about the theft. This will enable them to block any unauthorized charges and also alert their security departments.

2. Call Your Insurance Company

It's no secret that vehicle theft is on the rise. In fact, thousands of cars are taken with the owner's keys inside every year. It's not just luck. You can prevent this crime by putting in more protections to your vehicle.

Contact your insurance company immediately after the theft. You can obtain a car rental from your insurance company while you wait to retrieve your vehicle or get compensation if you do not. They will answer all your questions and provide the details of your insurance policy. You should also file a police complaint with the name and number of the officer who investigated the incident and the date and time.

Include all relevant details regarding your vehicle, including its model and make, as well as an extensive description of the items that were stolen. Also, make sure to include the name and contact number of any person who had access to the vehicle or any valuables in it. This information will assist the police in their investigation and stop fraud attempts. It could be necessary to conduct a credit report in addition. This is to make sure you aren't in a significant amount of debt which could lead to suspicions of fraud and make it more difficult for you to get a satisfactory settlement for the car you stole.

Your insurance company will provide you with the name and number of a representative who will help you navigate the claim process. You can contact them in various ways, including via telephone or via chat online.

It could be a hassle to make a claim for car insurance with your insurance company and the police, but it is essential to do it in the earliest time possible. It's important to submit a claim as fast as possible. Not only will it ensure that your vehicle receives the attention it requires but it will also help you avoid being caught in fraud and having your insurance denied due to an unintentional error.

3. File a Claim

Your insurance company will want be informed as soon as they can, so ensure that you have everything in order. This includes where your vehicle was prior to and after it was taken away, any website photos you might have, as well as the contact information of everyone who was able to access the vehicle. The insurance company will require a detailed description of your car including any upgrades and other options. You should also keep receipts.

You may have to make two claims one claim for auto insurance for the car itself, and a renter or homeowner insurance claim for any personal items that were inside the vehicle. If you have a comprehensive insurance policy your auto insurance policy will cover the cost of replacing your property. However, the policy's limits and deductibles will apply.

Once your claim is completed the insurance company will either reimburse you the actual cash value of the car if the vehicle is deemed totaled, or pay the entire cost in the event that the vehicle was recovered and returned. Then you'll be accountable for your deductible in the event that you decide to repair the vehicle, which is usually not feasible.

It could take up to up to 30 days for an insurer to settle a stolen car claim. While you wait for the settlement, it may be difficult to navigate and you should check whether your policy provides rental reimbursement. Most do, however the coverage varies by the policy and the provider.

If your vehicle isn't located, it is important to report it to the police right away. This will add your vehicle to national and state databases which will make it harder for thieves later on to sell your vehicle. You can also include an official police report to your auto insurance policy by submitting it to your insurer.

If you leave your keys in your vehicle could cause a car to be stolen and it's best to keep them in a secure place and lock the vehicle when not in use. You can also prevent theft by parking your vehicle in areas that are well-lit and keeping your keys in your pocket.

4. Recover Your Car

If you are certain that your car was stolen with the keys inside, contact the police and file a claim. This will include the information about your vehicle to both federal and state databases making it more difficult for thieves to sell. Contact your insurance company immediately to report a vehicle that has been stolen.

If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurer will replace your stolen car with the exception of depreciation. The insurance company will take into account comparable vehicles in your area, the mileage on the odometer and other factors to determine how the value of your car is. You'll still need to pay a $500 deduction.

Your insurance company will also repair any damage that was caused when your car was stolen even when the keys were inside. If you're using an electronic tracker, it can aid in locating your car once it's recovered.

If your vehicle has been taken with your keys inside, you need to act immediately. In the event of delay, your claim to be rejected or investigated as fraud. In some cases you might be required to take an examination under oath in which you're questioned by a representative of your insurance company under oath.

While your car will be covered by comprehensive auto insurance, you may require a separate claim for any belongings that were stolen from your vehicle. These items are usually covered by homeowners or renters insurance, based on the location where they were kept. However, if you have your home and auto insurance policies combined, you can usually make both claims simultaneously.

If you're not in your vehicle, you must always lock it and remove the keys. If you have an extra key, store it in a secure location away from your vehicle. Never put your name or address on your car keys and pick parking spots that are well-lit, supervised and off-street as much as you can. It is also important to ensure that your vehicle is securely parked and visible, and that it's not blocking mailboxes or driveways.