Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
It may seem like a bad thing to leave keys to your car in the ignition but is insurance coverage for cars that are stolen with keys in them? Generally, yes. There are some caveats.
First, you must ensure that your vehicle is indeed missing before you file claims. Understand that the claim process starts with a police report as well as a detailed description of the vehicle.
1. Call the Police
With car theft spiking nationwide and Colorado being ranked first in per capita thefts, it's essential to take precautionary measures to safeguard your vehicle and its contents. This includes locking your vehicle, setting up an alert and removing all keys or fobs from the vehicle when not driving. It's also recommended to store valuables inside the vehicle or better yet, remove them completely from the car. Even having taken preventive steps, you might be a victim of a crime of chance. If your vehicle is stolen and you have the key inside follow these steps to report it to the police and your insurance company.
You should notify the police as soon as your vehicle is reported stolen to make a formal report. The more information that you can give the police regarding your vehicle including the model and make as well as the license plate number or VIN, the better the chance of it being returned to you. Also inform the police if your vehicle is equipped with an GPS device.
After you've filed the police report, contact your insurance company and inform them of theft. You should be able to make this call or online, depending on the policies of your insurance provider. 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 the location of the theft. Inform your agent if your vehicle has any other technology, such as GPS tracking, that might assist in finding your vehicle.
Make sure you give the police and your insurance company with the same information, as any discrepancies can delay the processing of your claim. If you're in significant debt, the insurance company will utilize this information to decide whether to settle your claim or not. It's best not to leave any personal information or documents in your car, such as receipts for credit cards, numbers on credit cards and pay stubs. If you do leave such details in your vehicle contact your bank and credit card company, and any other organizations about the theft. This will allow them to stop any unauthorised charges and also alert their security departments.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
It's not a secret that car theft is increasing. In reality, thousands of cars are stolen with the owner's keys inside each year. So, it's not just a case of bad luck; you can take steps to avoid this crime by putting more security measures in place between your car and thieves.
Contact your insurance company immediately following the theft. You can request a car rental from your insurance company while you wait to recover your vehicle or get compensation in the event that you do not. They can answer all your questions and provide the specifics of your insurance policy. It is also recommended to file a police complaint with the name and number of the officer that was involved in the investigation and the date and time.
Include all pertinent information about your vehicle, including its make and model and an extensive description of the items that were stolen. Make sure to include the name, number and any other details of anyone who may have had access to your vehicle or the valuables inside. This information will help police investigate the incident and identify people trying to commit fraud. It could be necessary to run a credit check as well. This is to make sure you aren't in a significant amount of debt which could lead to suspicions of fraud and make it harder for you to get an acceptable settlement for your car that was stolen.
The insurance company may also provide you with the name and number of a representative who will help you navigate the claim process. They'll have several ways to reach them, from a phone number to a chat method and you can talk about the incident at your convenience.
It may be an inconvenience to file a claim for car insurance with your insurer and the police, but it's important to do so as soon as you can. It's crucial to make a claim as quickly as you can. Not only will it ensure that your car receives the attention it requires but it will also help you avoid being a victim of a scam and having coverage denied due to an error that is simple.
3. File a Claim
Your insurance company will want know all the facts as soon as possible, so ensure that you have everything in order. This includes where your vehicle was prior to and following the time it was stolen, any photographs you might have, and contact details for anyone who had access to the vehicle. The insurance company will require the full description of your vehicle, including any upgrades or options. You should also keep receipts.
You may have to file two claims one claim for auto insurance for the vehicle itself and a homeowner or renters insurance claim for personal items that were inside the car. If you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, it should provide the funds to replace your property. The limits of your policy and your deductible will still apply.
Once your claim has been completed, your insurance company will either pay you back the actual cash value of your car if it's deemed totaled or pay the full cost if your vehicle is recovered and returned. Then, you'll be responsible for your deductible in the event that you decide to repair your vehicle, which is often not feasible.
An insurer could take up 30 to 60 days to pay an insurance claim for a vehicle that was stolen. It isn't easy to travel while waiting and you should make sure that your policy covers rental reimbursement. Most do, though coverage varies depending on the provider and policy.
If your vehicle isn't found, it's important to report it to police immediately. This will place your vehicle in databases of the state and national levels, which makes it harder for thieves to steal your car later on. You can also include the police report to your car insurance policy by filing it with your insurer.
If you leave your keys in your car can cause a car to be stolen It's therefore recommended to keep them in a safe place and lock the vehicle when it is not in use. You can also try to prevent theft by parking in well-lit areas and keeping your keys with at all times and avoid putting valuables inside the car.
4. Recover Your Car
When you are certain that your vehicle was stolen with the keys inside, call the police and file a complaint. This will add the information about your vehicle to both federal and state databases which makes it harder for get more info thieves to sell. Contact your insurer immediately to report a stolen car.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your provider will replace the vehicle you lost with the exception of depreciation. The insurer will assess the value of your car by taking into account factors like the number of similar vehicles in your region and the mileage on your odometer and many other factors. You'll still be required to pay a $500 deduction.
Your insurance company will also repair any damage that occurred while your car was stolen, even when the keys were in the. If you own a device to track your car that tracks your vehicle, it could assist police locate your vehicle after it's found.
It is crucial to act swiftly after your car is taken with keys inside, as delays could lead to your claim being denied or even referred to as fraud. In certain instances, an insurance representative may ask you questions under oath.
You may need to file an a claim on any additional items you have stolen from your vehicle. Comprehensive auto insurance will cover your vehicle. These items will likely be covered by homeowners or renters insurance, based on the location you stored them. If you have your auto and home insurance policies together and you want to make both claims simultaneously.
If you're not using your vehicle, you must always lock it and take out the keys. Keep your spare keys in a safe place away from your vehicle. Do not put your name or address on your car keys. Also, pick parking spots that are well-lit, monitored and off the street whenever possible. It is also important to ensure that your car is parked safely and clearly visible, and not blocking mailboxes or driveways.