If Your Car Was Stolen With Keys Inside, Follow the Police Process
As the colder weather pushes us into "Puffing Season", leaving cars running with keys inside is a popular theft tactic. You should always report to the police if your vehicle has been stolen and keys are inside.
The policies for insurance vary in coverage, but generally will cover cars even if you put the keys in. Personal items are usually covered by homeowners or renters insurance, not auto insurance.
Theft
Many thieves target vehicles with keys inside. It's a simple strategy that works: a driver gets distracted and the next thing they realize is that their car is gone. This is a cycle that needs to be broken, and the best method to break it is by ensuring you always keep your keys with you when you leave your car regardless of where you park it.
A car is stolen every 32 seconds, and Americans lose $8 billion a year due to vehicle thefts. It is important not to leave keys in your car unattended, especially if you live in a high-crime area.
Thieves have become extremely clever when they are able to steal vehicles that have key fobs in them, which means it's imperative to be extra cautious. Thieves may utilize a relay attack or signal jamming device or other methods to hack into the computer system of a vehicle and reprogram the key fob to make it a new one. They can also employ an "slim jim", a tool that fits into the cavity of a door at the base window, to alter the locking mechanisms or links.
Hotwiring is another method that involves taking out the vehicle's ignition cord and then using an electrical charge to ignite the motor. It's a trick that's popular among teenagers who do not have a full-time job and are looking to make an easy buck. But it's also a method for criminals to steal vehicles to enjoy joyride, or other crimes.
Dealerships can ensure their security by using vehicle tracking systems, and performing regular audits on their key inventory and the records of their vehicles. This will help them to identify discrepancies or potential breaches. They should also urge drivers to use a signal-blocking pouch or Faraday box when they store their keys as they can help prevent relay attacks and other types of hacks.
If you decide to leave the car running and the keys inside with the ignition turned on the car, your insurance company will likely pay for the loss If you have Comprehensive coverage. However, your insurer may conduct a credit check or other checks to ensure that the claim is legitimate before you're reimbursed.
Damage
It's almost like asking for your car to be stolen if you leave it running or unlocked with keys inside. It takes a savvy criminal just a few seconds take off and drive away. Luckily, your insurance company might cover the theft when you have a comprehensive insurance policy. However certain policies exclude vehicles that have keys inside from being covered. If you're worried that your insurance policy doesn't cover this, you should consider a new auto insurance provider.
Certain states have laws that define the way a person who owns a car is liable for a vehicle theft with the keys inside. The rules vary from state to state, therefore it's crucial to know the rules. In the majority of cases, the car owner is not responsible for any accident that occurs when the thief is driving. This is due to the fact that the thief is not considered an insured driver. The car owner also is not responsible for the items that were stolen from the vehicle since they are typically covered by homeowners or renters insurance.
The prompt reporting of the theft to your insurance company and to the police is essential. This will allow the process to get moving faster and increase the chances of recovering your property. You should also be aware that filing multiple claims may impact your insurance rates. Discuss this with your agent in order to find out how it will affect your policy in future.
The best way to prevent a car being stolen with the keys inside is to secure it and close the windows each when you leave your vehicle. A spare here key should be stored in a safe place, not in the car. If you have to leave the vehicle running while you leave, be sure to turn off the ignition and place the car in park prior to leaving.
In addition to avoiding the risk of your vehicle being stolen with keys in, you should be aware not to leave valuables in your car such as laptops or MP3 players. You could be able to make a separate claim if you've added nonpermanent objects to your vehicle like an USB device plugged into the an auxiliary port.
Insurance
A car is stolen every 32 seconds, and car theft costs Americans over $8 billion per year. Fortunately, most cars are insured by insurance policies in the event that they are stolen. However there are a few situations where your policy will not pay to repair or replace your vehicle. If you have keys locked in your car, and it's stolen, this is one of those situations. This isn't a typical scenario, but it does occur.
Your policy will determine whether your vehicle is covered in this scenario. Most policies that provide comprehensive insurance will cover a stolen vehicle, even if keys are inside. The amount your insurance company pays will depend on the limits of your policy and deductible.
If you only have liability insurance, your vehicle is more likely to be taken away if you leave keys inside the car. However, you will only receive compensation up to a maximum amount of $10,000. If you have comprehensive insurance on your vehicle however, you'll be able to file a claim for the entire value of your vehicle and all the items inside it (minus the deductible).
There is a caveat that comes with this situation: Insurance companies might consider leaving your keys in your car as a sign of negligence. Many insurers expect their customers to take reasonable steps to protect their vehicles. This includes locking them when they are not in use and making sure they are not running. If you reside in an area where car thefts are common, your insurer might raise your premium.
There are other ways to protect your vehicle from theft, including installing an anti-theft device or other security features. You can also check whether you have insurance for your property in place. Both homeowners and renters insurance typically offer personal property coverage which will protect your possessions in the event that they are lost or stolen in the property or off it. You can save time and money by filing both claims at the same time when you have a home and auto insurance bundle.
Recovery
The best way to ensure your vehicle is found after it was stolen with keys inside is to follow the procedure of police. Make a report to your local police department and ensure you provide them with the information about your vehicle they need, such as the car's VIN and license plate number, its year model, make and model, the location where it was stolen and any distinct characteristics (large holes or custom-designed add-ons, for instance) and the time of day it was taken.
After filing a police report the police, they'll begin to search for your vehicle. They will employ various methods to locate it, including speaking with witnesses, analyzing evidence in physical form and reviewing surveillance footage. During this process, it's crucial to be patient and continue to check in with police periodically for updates.
If your vehicle is rescued, it may need to be inspected by an insurance claims adjuster to determine its condition. If it is found in good driving condition and the damage was caused in a manner that was not your control, you will be paid for it under your comprehensive coverage. The amount you receive will be based on the value of your vehicle and its current market value, your auto insurance deductible and any other additional insurances you may have, such as renters or homeowners.
Another step that might vary according to the instructions of the police or your insurance company is to inform your state's Department of Motor Vehicles about the stolen vehicle. This will be added to the information of your vehicle to a nationwide database for stolen vehicles. This will make it harder for criminals to sell or register an illegally stolen vehicle.
Contact your bank to stop the freezing of any credit or debit card that is found in your vehicle that has been stolen. This will prevent fraud and identity theft. If you have renters or homeowners insurance, it's also a good idea to notify your insurer, since items inside your vehicle are usually covered under these policies. You may be able to combine your claims from both policies in certain circumstances to receive a larger payout for your stolen goods.