If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
As long as you have comprehensive coverage your insurance policy will be able to cover your vehicle stolen even if you forgot the keys in the car. The insurance company will investigate the incident to determine whether it was at fault.
The most efficient way to proceed is to make a claim as soon as you discover that the vehicle has been stolen. Your insurance claim will be denied if you delay.
1. Don't Panic
It is important to be calm and avoid making mistakes which will only cause the situation to get worse. First, contact the police. As soon as you call the police, provide them with as much detail about the vehicle as possible including the make, model and license plate number. Also, let them know if there were any valuables inside your vehicle, such as laptops, a badge from your job or other personal belongings.
The police can provide you with the most reliable details about your vehicle stolen and the steps they plan to take moving forward. They may even be capable of locating your vehicle for you, or they may be able to locate the thieves who stole it.
Many people fail to lock their vehicles or shut the windows, particularly if they are in hurry or have children with them. It may seem silly but it's a simple mistake to do and can lead to devastating consequences. In these cases thieves will simply climb into the driver's seat like they owned it and drive away. If no one around them realizes they aren't the owners and they are able to travel for a long distance before being stopped by a policeman.
Another common mistake that can be easily made is to leave a key in the ignition or a spare key hidden on your property or in your personal possessions. This is extremely risky, as it makes the vehicle easier to start and get away with. People often do this when they enter to get something or leave their vehicle running for a short period of time while they are in a shop. Other mistakes that are common include running the car as it is warming up or hurrying to a gas station in order to pay for fuel.
Keeping these mistakes in mind It is crucial to take proactive steps to prevent them from happening in the future. There are a variety of methods to accomplish this starting with installing an alarm system, to parking in well-lit areas. Certain automakers also provide security features that deter thieves and prevent them from starting their vehicle. These be anything from a simple, audible alarm to more sophisticated devices that use GPS technology to track the car.
2. Contact the police
It is your responsibility as a car owner to notify any attempted or actual theft. Your police department can help you by providing you with advice on what to do next. They can also give you advice on how to safeguard your vehicle in the future, like installing a wheellock. They will also be able to provide you with an identification number for the crime that can assist you in reaching out to your insurance.
It is crucial to provide as many details as you can when reporting a vehicle that has been stolen. Make sure that all the details provided to police and your insurance company are the same. This will increase the likelihood of your car being returned or recovered.
The kind of information you need to be prepared to disclose includes your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, year, make and model as well as any other distinguishing features. If your vehicle is equipped with a GPS tracking device, or other technology to prevent theft, be sure to include it in addition to.
A second important aspect that is crucial is the presence of any personal items in the vehicle at the time the theft took place. It could be your purse, wallet or any other item containing personal information. It's important to notify the credit card companies, your bank and any other entity that could be involved in the event of an item is stolen from your vehicle.
If your personal property is stolen, you must also contact your homeowners' or renters insurance. This is because these possessions are usually covered under the personal property section in these policies, while auto insurance covers only damage to your vehicle.
While there's no way to stop a car theft, you can minimize the risk of this happening by removing any valuables from your vehicle and locking your doors. You can also avoid rolling up your windows at all times. It's also important to always keep a spare set of keys somewhere else than your vehicle, and to check your insurance policy annually to ensure that you have sufficient coverage.
If you have comprehensive insurance the insurance company will pay for the loss of your vehicle with the exception of any deductible applicable. Liability insurance won't cover thefts of cars. Make sure you have comprehensive insurance prior to lending your vehicle.
3. Do not attempt to search for your vehicle on your own
As a car owner you have a duty to ensure the security of your property. It is crucial to secure your vehicle, even if you're not present. It's essential to lock your car every time you leave, and to open the windows completely up. It's also a good idea not to keep spare keys in your car or anywhere else where criminals could access the keys.
In reality, one of the most common reasons why people have their cars stolen with keys inside is because they have left an extra key in or near the car. This is a simple error that can have grave consequences particularly in the present day.
Modern thieves website have shifted beyond the traditional hotwiring methods you might see in an action movie and are now employing more sophisticated methods to rob vehicles. This is a relay attack, where two thieves utilize electronic devices to intercept the signal from the owner's keyfob, unlock the vehicle, and then take it away.
The good news is that police are now beginning to make use of more sophisticated technology to catch thieves who attempt to steal vehicles with their keys in them. Some companies offer to put an electronic device to track your vehicle which can transmit the location of your car to the police. This could lower the chance and number of theft.
In addition to a tracking device it is also possible to consider installing an immobilizer in your car to prevent it from being started. This will make it more difficult for criminals to steal your car, and you can tell if a thief has tried to start your car by calling the police and identifying yourself.
If you decide to search for the vehicle that was stolen do not attempt to do it by yourself. This could cause more damage, or even the theft of personal belongings from your vehicle. Instead, you should contact your insurance company as soon as you can and inform them that your car has been taken with keys inside. You should also tell them about any personal items in the vehicle at the moment of theft, such as mail or a purse containing credit cards or cash or an office badge, or any other forms of identification.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have a comprehensive auto insurance policy (which typically covers a wide variety of events such as theft), it is important to call your insurer and file a claim as soon as possible. This will allow them to begin their investigation and ensure you are covered in case your car is damaged or stolen.
You must give your insurance company all the details you can remember about your car like the year, make and model and the license plate number and the VIN (vehicle identification number) and the location you last saw it. It is also helpful to include details about the circumstances of the theft and what time of the day it was, and if there was any rain or snow. If you're unsure about any of these facts you can contact the police to check the documents.
In some instances, it might be necessary to inform the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. This will prevent the criminal from using your vehicle in any way that is in violation of the law or cause damage to others' property.
You'll require the police report to be available when you call your insurance company to start the investigation. Also, you must be ready to provide any other information requested by your insurance company.
Be sure to mention any personal items you have stolen with your vehicle, as they may be covered under your renters or homeowners insurance (depending on the area you reside in). Also, you should contact your leasing or finance company that the vehicle was reported stolen.
It is important to remain calm and act quickly regardless of an extremely stressful situation. These tips will help you do this, and hopefully will result in your vehicle getting back safely and sound to you. If you are required to file a claim due to your car was stolen with keys inside, it's best to work with an independent agent who will assist you in the procedure. They can also find discounts to make this experience as smooth as possible.