The Ugly Truth About Car Stolen With Keys
The Ugly Truth About Car Stolen With Keys
Blog Article
Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
Car keys left in the ignition might appear to be a bad idea but is insurance covered for cars stolen with keys inside? Generally, yes. However, there are some caveats.
Before you file a claim, first verify that your car is actually missing. The claim process begins with a police report and a thorough description of your vehicle.
1. Contact the police
It's important to take preventative measures to protect your car and its contents. Car theft is increasing nationwide, and Colorado is the top state for per capita thefts. This includes locking your vehicle and setting up an alarm and removing all keys or fobs from the vehicle while you're not driving. It's also a good idea to hide valuables in the vehicle, or better yet, remove them completely from the car. Unfortunately, even having taken preventive steps, you might be the victim of a crime of chance. If your vehicle is taken and you have your keys inside, follow these steps to notify the police and to your insurer.
You should contact the police immediately after your vehicle has been reported stolen in order to submit a police report. The more information that you can provide the police regarding your vehicle like its model and make, as well as the license plate number, or VIN, the greater the chance of it being returned to you. Let the police know if your vehicle has a GPS device.
Once you've filed a police report, call your insurance company to notify them of the theft. Based on the policies of your insurance company, you may be able do this by phone or online. Please provide your policy number, the make and model of the vehicle, any identifying information (like large damage, custom modifications, etc.) and the exact location and time of the theft. Let your insurance agent know if you have any other technology on your vehicle, like a GPS tracking system, which could help them locate it.
Be sure to provide the police and your insurance company the same information, as any discrepancies could delay the process of processing your claim. In addition, if you are in significant debt, your insurance company could make use of this information to determine whether to pay your claim or not. This is the reason it's best to not leave any personal documents or information in your vehicle, including receipts, credit cards and paycheck stubs. If you do leave this information in your car, be sure to inform your bank, credit card companies and other organizations of the theft so they can put a halt to any unauthorized charges and alert their security departments.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
It's no secret that car theft is on the rise. Each year, thousands of cars with the keys inside are stolen. It's not just a case of luck. You can do your part to avoid this crime by putting more security measures in place between your car and thieves.
Contact your insurance company right away after the loss. Your insurance company will be able to provide you with a rental vehicle while you wait for your vehicle to be returned or compensate you if it isn't. They can answer all your questions and provide you with the details of your insurance policy. It is also recommended to file a police complaint with the name and number of the police officer who investigated the incident and the date and time.
Be sure to include all the relevant details of your vehicle, including the model and make and a full description of the items that were stolen. Be sure to include the name and number of any person who had access to the vehicle, or any valuables inside it. This information will assist police investigate the claims and eliminate people who may be attempting to commit fraud. It is possible to conduct a credit check as well. This is to ensure that you are not in significant debt that could raise suspicions of fraud and make it more difficult for you to secure a satisfactory settlement for the car you stole.
You can also obtain the name and contact number of an insurance company to help get through the claims process. They will have a variety of ways to contact them, from a phone number to a chat option and you can talk about the incident whenever you want.
It can be a hassle to file a claim for car insurance with your insurer as well as the police, but it is crucial to file it in the earliest time possible. It's crucial to make a claim as quickly as possible. Not only will it ensure that your vehicle receives the attention it requires and you'll avoid being a victim of fraud and having your insurance denied due to an unintentional error.
3. Claim your Benefits
You'll need to provide all the information as quickly as you can. Include any photographs as well as the location of your vehicle before and after it's loss, and the contact details of those who had access to it. Your insurance company will require a precise description of your vehicle including any upgrades or options you might have. You should also keep receipts.
You may be required to submit two claims. One for your auto insurance policy and one for homeowners or renters for any personal belongings that were in the car. If you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy it should be able to cover the cost of replacing your property. However, the limits of your policy and deductible will apply.
Once your claim has been processed, your insurer will either pay you back the actual cash value of the vehicle when it's determined to be totaled, or pay the full cost if your car is found and returned. Then, you'll be responsible for the deductible if you decide to repair the vehicle, which is often not feasible.
It can take up to 30 days for an insurer to settle a stolen vehicle claim. In the meantime for the settlement, it may be a challenge to navigate so make sure to check whether your policy provides rental reimbursement. The majority of policies do, however coverage is different for each the policy and the provider.
If your car is never located, it is important to report it to the police immediately. This will put your vehicle in national and state databases which makes it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle later. You can also add an official police report to your car insurance policy by filing it with your insurance company.
The act of leaving keys in read more your car could result in a car being stolen, so it's always best to keep them in a secure place and lock the vehicle when it is not in use. You can also try to prevent theft by parking in well-lit areas, taking your key with at all times and avoiding hiding valuables in the car.
4. Recover Your Car
When you are certain that your vehicle was taken with keys inside, contact the police and file a claim. This will include 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 vehicle that has been stolen.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurer will replace your stolen car with the exception of depreciation. The insurer will take into account comparable vehicles in your area, the mileage on the odometer, and other factors to determine how much your car is worth. However, you'll still need to pay an amount of $500 for deductible.
In addition to the cost to replace your vehicle the insurance company will also repair any damage that occurred while your vehicle was stolen with keys inside. If you have a tracker, it could aid in locating your vehicle after it has been recovered.
If your vehicle has been taken with your keys inside, you must act immediately. Delays can cause your claim to be rejected or investigated as fraud. In some cases, an insurance representative may ask you questions under an oath.
You may need to file an another claim for any items that have been taken from your vehicle. Comprehensive auto insurance will cover your car. These items will probably be covered by renters or homeowners insurance, depending on where you kept them. However, if you have your auto and home insurance policies together, you can usually submit both claims at the same time.
If you're not using your vehicle, make sure you lock it and remove the keys. If you have a spare key, keep it in a secure place away from your vehicle. Do not put your name or address on your keys. Pick parking spots that are well-lit and monitored and if possible, park off-street. Also, make sure that your vehicle is securely parked and visible, and is not blocking any driveways or mailboxes.