Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
Car keys left in the ignition may seem like a bad idea, but is insurance covered for cars stolen with keys inside? Generally, yes. However there are a few cautions.
First, make sure your vehicle is indeed missing before you file an insurance claim. Understand that the claim process begins with a police report as well as a detailed description of the vehicle.
1. Contact the police
It's important to take preventative measures to protect your car and its contents. Car theft is increasing across the country, and Colorado ranks #1 in per capita thefts. This includes locking your car, setting up an alarm, and taking all keys and fobs out of the vehicle when not driving it. It's also recommended to store valuables in the vehicle, or better yet, remove them completely from the vehicle. Even if you take precautions, you could still become the victim of a crime-of-opportunity. If your vehicle is stolen and you have your keys inside Follow these steps to inform the police as well as your insurer.
Immediately after your vehicle is reported stolen, contact the police immediately to submit an official theft report. The more details you can give the police regarding your vehicle, such as its model and make, as well as license plate number or VIN, the greater the chance of it being returned to you. 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 about the theft. You should be able to make this call or online, based on your insurance company's policies. Input your policy number, the vehicle's model and make, as well as any identifying information (like large scratches or custom-designed add-ons) and the time and location of the theft. Tell your agent if your vehicle is equipped with other technologies such as GPS tracking, that might assist in finding your vehicle.
Make sure you give the police and your insurance company the exact details, as any ambiguities can hinder the processing of your claim. The insurance company could also utilize this information to decide whether or not to pay an amount if you owe a lot of money. This is why it's advisable to avoid leaving any personal documents or data in your vehicle, including credit cards, receipts and paycheck stubs. If you do decide to leave this information in your vehicle, be sure to inform your bank, credit card companies and other organizations of the theft, so they can stop any unauthorized charges and alert their security departments.
2. Call Your Insurance Company
Car theft is on the rise. Every year, thousands cars with keys inside are stolen. So, it's not just a matter of bad luck; you can help avoid this crime by putting more deterrents between your vehicle and potential thieves.
Contact your insurance company immediately following the theft. You can obtain a car rental from your insurer while you wait to retrieve your vehicle, or receive compensation in the event that you don't. They will provide you with the specifics of your policy and answer any questions. It is also essential to submit a police report that includes the name and phone number of the officer who investigated the incident, as well as the date and time of the theft.
Make sure to include all relevant information of your vehicle, including its make and model as well as a thorough description of the items that were stolen. Be sure to include the name and phone number of any person who had access to the vehicle or any valuables in it. This will help police in their investigation and stop fraud attempts. It may be necessary to conduct a credit check in addition. This is to make sure that you don't have an excessive amount of debt which could cause suspicion and make it difficult to secure an equitable settlement website for your car.
The insurance company may also provide you with the name and phone number of a representative who will assist you through the claims process. You can reach them in many ways, including via telephone or via chat online.
While making a claim for insurance on your car with the police and your insurer can be a hassle, it's crucial to do so as quickly as you can. It is crucial to submit a claim as fast as you can. Not only will it ensure that your car receives the attention it requires, but you can avoid being caught in a scam and having insurance denied due to an unintentional error.
3. Claim your Benefits
Your insurance company will want to know all the facts as soon as they can Therefore, make sure you have everything in order. This includes where your car was prior to and following the time it was stolen, any photos you may have, and contact details for anyone who had access to the vehicle. The insurance company will require a detailed description of your car including any upgrades and options. Also, keep receipts.
You may have to file two claims. One for your auto insurance policy and one for homeowners or renters for any personal items that were in the car. If you do have comprehensive coverage the auto insurance policy should cover the cost of replacing your property. However, the policy's limits and deductible will apply.
Once your claim has been completed the insurance company will either pay you back the cash value of the car if the car has been deemed to be totaled, or pay the entire cost in the event that the vehicle was recovered and returned. If you decide to repair your car, which isn't always feasible, your insurer will charge you the deductible.
It could take up to up to 30 days or more for an insurance company to settle a stolen car claim. While you're waiting it can be difficult to navigate so make sure to check whether your policy includes rental reimbursement. Most do, although coverage varies depending on the policy and provider.
Inform the police immediately if it's not found. This will add your vehicle to national and state databases which will make it harder for thieves to try to sell your vehicle. You can also include an official police report to your auto insurance policy by filing it with your insurance company.
Leaving your keys in your vehicle could cause a car to be stolen, so it's always best to keep them in a safe place and lock the vehicle when not in use. You can also deter theft by parking your vehicle in areas that are well-lit and keeping your key with you.
4. Recover Your Car
If you are sure that your car was taken with keys inside, notify the police and file a report. This will add the information about your vehicle to both federal and state databases making it more difficult for thieves to sell. Contact your insurer immediately to report a stolen car.
If you have comprehensive coverage, your provider will pay to replace your stolen vehicle minus depreciation. The insurer will assess the value of your vehicle by weighing factors like the number of similar vehicles in your area as well as the mileage on your odometer, and many other factors. However, you'll need to pay a $500 deductible.
Your insurance company will also repair any damage that occurred while your car was stolen, even if the keys were still in the. If you have a tracker, it could aid in locating your car once it's recovered.
It's important to act quickly when your car is stolen with keys inside, as delays could lead to your claim being rejected or even being investigated as fraud. In some instances an insurance agent could be able to ask you questions under an oath.
You may have to file an an additional claim for any items you have stolen from your vehicle. Comprehensive auto insurance will cover your vehicle. These items will probably be covered by homeowners or renters insurance, based on the location they were stored. If you have both your auto and homeowners insurance policies together and you want to make both claims at the same time.
Always lock your car and take the keys when you're not driving it. Keep your spare key in a secure place away from your vehicle. Do not write your address or name on your car keys. Also, choose parking spaces that are well-lit, monitored and off the street whenever possible. You should also make sure your car is parked in a safe, easily visible spot and that you're not blocking mailboxes or driveways.