If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have a comprehensive insurance policy your insurance policy will be able to cover your vehicle stolen even if you left the keys in it. The insurance company will investigate the theft to determine whether it was your fault.
It is best to make a claim as soon as you can after discovering that your vehicle has been stolen. Your insurance claim will be denied if you put off filing.
1. Don't panic!
It is important to remain calm and be careful not to make a mistake that will only make the situation worse. The first thing you need to do is call the police. Once you do, provide them with the most complete information you can about the vehicle, including the model, make and license plate number. It is also important to inform them if you have any valuables in your vehicle, such as laptops, a identification badges for work or other personal items.
The police can provide you with the most accurate information regarding your stolen vehicle and the steps they are planning to take moving forward. They might be able to locate your vehicle on your behalf, or even be able to catch the thieves who stole the vehicle.
Many people do not lock their cars or close the windows, particularly if they are in rush or have children around. While it might seem like a stupid error to make but it's actually quite easy to make and often has devastating consequences. In these instances thieves simply get into the driver's seat as if they owned it and drive away. If no one else around them is aware it isn't the owner, they can travel for a long distance before being arrested by a police officer.
Another common mistake that can be easily made is to leave keys in the ignition or leaving a spare key hidden on your property or in your personal possessions. This can be extremely dangerous because it makes the vehicle easier to start and run away with. This is usually the case when people visit the store to purchase something or leave the car running while they are in there. Other common mistakes include driving the car while it is warming up, or rushing into a gas station order to pay for fuel.
It is essential to be aware of these mistakes and take preventative measures to avoid them in the future. There are a myriad of ways to prevent this including installing an alarm system to parking in areas that are well-lit. Additionally, some automakers offer security features that can deter thieves or prevent them from starting the car. These features can be anything from a sound-based alarm system to more sophisticated GPS-based devices to track the vehicle.
2. Call the Police
As a car owner, it's your obligation to report any attempted or stolen theft. Your police department can help you by giving you advice on what to do next. They can also offer you advice on how you can protect your vehicle in future, like installing a wheellock. They will also be able to provide you with a reference number for the crime, which will assist you when making contact with your insurance company.
When reporting a stolen car it is crucial to be as detailed as possible. Make sure that all the details provided to police and your insurance company are the same. This increases the chance of your car being returned or recovered.
You should be prepared to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN), the license plate number, the year, make and model of your vehicle, in addition to any other distinguishing features. Include any details about your vehicle's GPS tracking device, or other security features that prevent theft.
Another piece of information important is the presence of personal belongings in the vehicle at the time the theft occurred. It could be a wallet, purse or any other item that might contain personal information. This is why it's recommended to notify banks, credit card companies and any other organizations that might be involved in the instance of a stolen item being found in your car.
If your personal property is stolen, you should be in touch with your homeowners' or renters' insurance. This is because this kind of possession is typically covered under the personal property section of these policies, whereas auto insurance covers only damage to your vehicle.
There is no way to avoid the possibility of a car burglary, however you can reduce your risk by removing valuables from your car and locking the doors and putting up the windows at all times. It's also crucial to keep a spare set of keys in a different location than your vehicle and to review your insurance policy each year to ensure you have enough coverage.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurance company will cover the damage or loss to your vehicle, less any applicable deductible. Liability insurance doesn't cover theft of cars, so be sure you have a comprehensive insurance policy before lending your vehicle to anyone.
3. Don't Search for Your Vehicle Alone
As a car owner, you have a responsibility to protect your property. This is why it's crucial to ensure that your vehicle is secure, even when you're not in the car. Also, you should be sure to lock your vehicle every time you leave it, and also to open the windows completely. It's also a good idea to not leave your spare keys in the car, or anywhere else that might be accessible to criminals.
One of the main causes for car thefts is when people leave a spare key near or in the car. This is a simple error that can have serious implications particularly in the present day.
Modern thieves are stepping beyond the hotwiring techniques you may have seen in action films and are employing more sophisticated methods to rob vehicles. This includes a relay attack where two thieves employ electronic devices to detect the signal of the owner's keyfob and then unlock the car, and take it away.
The good news is that police are starting to make use of more sophisticated technology to identify thieves who try to steal vehicles by putting their keys inside. For example, some companies are now offering the possibility of installing a tracking device on your vehicle that will send its location to the police. This will reduce the likelihood and frequency of thefts.
You may also want to install an immobilizer to keep your car from getting started. This will make it more difficult for criminals to steal your vehicle, and you can tell if a thief has tried to start your car by calling the police and providing your name.
You should never look for your vehicle when you decide to track it down. This could cause more damage and possibly the theft of personal belongings from your vehicle. You should instead contact your insurance company and inform them that your vehicle was stolen with the keys inside. You should also tell them about any personal possessions in the vehicle at the time of the theft, such as mail, a wallet or purse that contains credit cards, cash or office badges, or any other forms of identification.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have comprehensive car insurance (which covers a range of situations, including theft) You should contact your insurance company as soon as you can in order to make claims. This will allow them to begin their investigation and ensure that you are covered in the event that your vehicle is damaged or destroyed.
You should give your insurance company all the information you are able to remember about your vehicle including: the year the model, make and year and the license plate number as well as the VIN (vehicle identification number); and where you last was able to see it. It is also beneficial to provide information on the manner in which the theft occurred and what time of the day it occurred, and if there was any snow or rain. If you aren't sure about any of these details it is possible to request the police to look up their records to find this information for you.
In some cases it might be necessary to report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles as well. This will prevent the thief using your vehicle to violate the law or harm other property.
You'll need the police report to be on hand when you contact your insurer 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 stolen with your vehicle, as they may be covered under your homeowners or renters insurance (depending on the area you reside in). Also, you should contact your leasing or finance company to inform them that the vehicle was reported as stolen.
Although this is a very stressful situation to be in, it is important to stay at peace and act swiftly. These tips will assist you in doing this, and hopefully will result in your car returning in a safe and secure manner to you. If you have to file a claim for the car that was stolen with keys in it, the best thing to do is to work with an independent insurance agent who can help you through the process and provide you with discounts to make the check here whole ordeal as painless as possible.