What to Do If Your Car Got Stolen With Keys in It
If you have comprehensive car insurance, you'll be covered even if you forget your keys in your car. It is important to act quickly.
The longer you wait the longer you wait, the more likely it is that your claim will be rejected. Luckily, rental reimbursement coverage is available.
Don't panic
If 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 whole day, and it can also be extremely annoying. This is why it's important to remain in a calm state and think rationally. First, make sure you've checked every place in your pockets bags, bags, and any other places you could have put them. You should also take a walk back through the day and see if you've set them down somewhere or reached into your bag to grab your phone, and then smashed your keys out.
Contact the police if can't locate them. It's essential to notify the police of the loss of your keys to your car immediately in order to aid the police in finding the keys and prevent someone from using your vehicle without your permission. Informing your insurance company of the car theft is also important. This way, they will be able to help you get new keys.
Check your insurance policy to determine whether the loss of the vehicle is covered. Most policies cover a car that has been stolen with the keys inside, but the conditions and terms differ. Some companies don't cover personal items in the car. Check with your renters or home insurance insurer.
If the car you are leasing or financed, you should call the leasing or financing company, too. They should also report the incident to the police. This will keep the owner from being held responsible for the vehicle if it is stolen. It can also accelerate the process to get the vehicle returned.
Installing anti-theft devices on your vehicle can also discourage thieves. These devices can include the use of a GPS tracker, a steering-wheel lock or an alarm for your car. These devices are more expensive to set up, but will save you money by preventing theft. The most important thing is to ensure that your vehicle stays in good shape and to not leave it parked in a dangerous area.
Call the police
If you're unable to locate your car and you suspect it's stolen the first thing you should do is contact the police. You will be given an identification number that is vital for tracking the progress of your investigation. This can also assist with your insurance claim later.
You will need to give a detailed description of the vehicle, including the make/model and color and the license plate number. The VIN can be found on your Proof of Insurance (this could be a paper document that you can access on your phone or an app). Please provide any additional information you have regarding the vehicle, such as where you last saw it, and when and any distinctive characteristics, such as large dents, unique additions, or distinct scratches or marks.
If you've made a police complaint It is essential to notify your insurer as soon as possible. This will help speed up the process and may even shield you from excessive liability. If the person who stole your vehicle and causes an accident, you may be held accountable based on the laws of your state and insurance coverage.
NICB data shows that car thefts when keys are left in the car are on the increase. Every 32 seconds, a vehicle with keys inside is robbed in the United States. This results in a loss of more than $8 billion.
The best way to avoid this is to lock your car and not leave valuables out in the open. It is also recommended to close the windows all the way and avoid leaving your vehicle running unattended particularly with keys inside.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your home or renters insurance may cover the things that you have in your car If they were insured by those policies. If, however, you had electronics in your car it is likely that they wouldn't be covered under this kind of policy.
You should also be aware of your financial accounts if you have personal documents, such as receipts and paycheck stubs in your vehicle. It is important to notify your bank immediately.
Get an extra key
The loss of your car keys was not a huge issue in the past. You could go to a local key maker and have them duplicated at an affordable cost. Many vehicles now have advanced security measures that make it difficult to duplicate the key of a stolen vehicle without asking the dealer or automaker for help.
If you have a spare key the first thing to do is to place it somewhere accessible and safe when you're at home. For example, you might keep it in your home in a specific drawer or in a key box by the door. You could also give an extra key to a friend or neighbor who you are confident in.
Once you have a spare key the next step is to call your dealer to see whether they are able to assist. The dealership should be able to deactivate the key fob, preventing it from more info being used to start your vehicle. This is a straightforward procedure, but it will depend on your particular model and year of your vehicle.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurance will cover things like keys that are left in cars that have been stolen. Most auto policies include this type of coverage however you must check your policy for specific information.
If your car was taken with the keys inside, you must also file a police report. This is especially crucial in the event that your car is loaned or leased, as the lender must be informed of the incident. You may be able to obtain an additional set of keys or replacements for lost ones via the insurance claim.
Even if you are just taking only a few minutes, you should secure your vehicle's doors to prevent it from being stolen in the future. You should also consider putting in antitheft devices to make it harder for thieves to break into your vehicle. Some examples of these include steering wheel locks, brake pedal locks, and car alarms. You should also park in secure and well-lit areas and be sure to not leave valuables or the title of your car inside.
Contact your insurance company
Contact your insurance provider right away after you've filed the police report. Many insurance companies have online systems that make the process easy and fast. Make sure to contact your agent directly instead of a call center operator to avoid back-and-forth and delays in this highly-sensitive situation. Prepare to answer all questions. You will be asked to provide specific information about your car including the year model, color license plate number, color and the make and model. They may be looking for additional details, such as the time and location of the theft. They will also inquire whether the car has additional features, such as an GPS system or other security measures.
If you have comprehensive coverage, the car will be covered regardless of whether keys were not left in it. If you only have liability insurance, the car won't be protected. This is the reason that you should have a comprehensive insurance policy for your car.
The insurance policy for your car will typically cover the actual value of your vehicle. This is the value of the vehicle at the time of theft and less any applicable deductible. You may be asked to submit an independent evaluation of your car, so you should keep one in your file or search online.
Once the claim is processed, you will be given a waiting period, which will vary by insurer. During this period your insurer will be looking for the vehicle. You will receive a refund for the vehicle (minus any deductible).
If you're lucky, your vehicle will be recovered and returned to you within the time period. If not, you'll be compensated the actual value (minus your deductible) of the vehicle you lost. If you're planning on purchasing a new car, you can use this cash to purchase it. Remember, however that any claims you make to your insurance policy could raise your rates. Speak to your agent if you're unsure whether you should submit an claim.