What to Do If Your Car Got Stolen With Keys in It
If you have comprehensive car insurance, you will be covered even if you lose the keys to your car. It is crucial to act immediately.
The longer you put off longer, the more likely that your claim will be denied. Fortunately, rental reimbursement coverage is available.
Don't panic
When you're trying to get in your car and can't locate your keys, it's a frightening moment. It can be a disaster and be frustrating. It's important to remain calm and rational. Examine your bags, pockets and other places you may have put them. Also, go back and review your day. Perhaps you threw them somewhere or reached in your pocket to retrieve your phone, but then threw out your keys.
Contact the police if you cannot find them. Notifying the police about the loss of your keys to the police immediately will assist in locating them, and could stop people from using your vehicle without your consent. Notifying your insurance company about the theft of your vehicle is crucial. In this way, they can assist you obtain new keys.
Always examine your insurance policy to determine if it covers the car's loss. The majority of policies cover a stolen car with keys inside, but the terms and conditions may differ. Certain companies do not cover personal items inside the car. Contact your renters insurance or home insurance the insurance company.
It is also advisable to contact the leasing or financing company if your car is leased. They should also report the crime to the police. This will keep the owner from being held responsible for the vehicle if it is stolen. It could also speed up the process to get the vehicle returned.
Installing anti-theft devices in your vehicle can also discourage thieves. These devices can include a GPS tracker, a steering-wheel lock, or an alarm for your car. These are more expensive to install, 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 areas that are risky.
Contact the police
If you can't find your vehicle and suspect that it's gone missing, the first thing to do is call the police. They will provide you with the crime reference number that is crucial in tracking the progress of the investigation. This will assist you with your insurance claim in the future.
You'll need to provide a detailed description of the vehicle, which includes the make/model and color and the license plate number. The VIN can be found in your Proof of Insurance (this could either be a physical document that you can access on your phone or an app). If you have any other information regarding where and when you last saw it such as distinctive features like large dents or custom add-ons or distinguishing scratches or marks, please include that information as well.
It is crucial to notify your insurer as soon you make a police report. This will speed up the process, and protect you from liability that is too high. If the thief is driving your vehicle and results in an accident, you could be held accountable based on your state's laws and insurance coverage.
NICB data indicates that car thefts where keys are left in the car are on the rise. In reality, a car is stolen with keys in it every 32 seconds across the United States and this accounts for over $8 billion of losses each year.
It is recommended to secure your vehicle at all times and to never display valuables. Also, you should roll your windows up to the maximum, and avoid leaving the car running in the dark. This is especially true if you have keys in the car.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your renters or home insurance may cover the things you had in your vehicle If they were insured by those policies. If you have electronics in your vehicle, this kind of insurance is unlikely to cover them.
It's also crucial to monitor your financial accounts carefully if you have any personal documents in your car, such as paycheck stubs and receipts. It is essential to notify your bank as soon as you can.
Get a spare 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 for a relatively cheap cost. Many cars now have high-tech security features that make it difficult to replace the key on an unintentionally stolen vehicle without contacting the dealer or manufacturer for help.
If you have a spare key the first thing you should do is to place it somewhere secure and easy to access when you're away from home. You could keep it in a drawer within your home or in a box near the door. Or, you might give an extra key to a neighbor or friend who you trust.
If you have an extra key the next step is to contact your dealer to see whether they can assist. The dealership will likely be able to deactivate the key fob to prevent it from being used to start your car. It should be a straightforward procedure, but it'll depend on the make and year of your vehicle.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurance will take care of things like keys left behind in vehicles that have been stolen. Most auto policies include this type of coverage, but you should check your policy for specific details.
If your car was stolen with keys inside, you must also file a police complaint. It is crucial to inform the lender if you have an unfinanced or leased vehicle. Insurance claims may even help you get a new key or replace your lost one.
To ensure that your vehicle isn't and the keys inside it in the future, you must always lock the doors of your vehicle, even if you're not in the car for a short time. It is also recommended to put in antitheft systems to make it more difficult for thieves to gain access to 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. The majority of insurance companies have online platforms that make it simple and quick to complete the process. Avoid delays and back and forth by contact your agent directly instead of through the call center. Prepare to answer any questions. You will be asked to provide specific information regarding your vehicle, including the year color, model, license plate number and the make and model. They might be looking for additional details such as the location and date of the theft. They will also want to know if the car has any unique features, like a GPS system or any 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 covered. It is for this reason that you website must have a comprehensive insurance policy on your vehicle.
Typically, your insurance will pay for the cash value of your vehicle that is the market value of the vehicle at the time of theft, minus any applicable deductible. You will most likely be asked to provide a third-party assessment of your car so keep one on file or locate one online.
Once the claim is approved and the claim is approved, you will be granted an opportunity to wait for a period of time, which will vary by insurer. During this time your insurance company will be searching for the vehicle to be reclaimed. If it's found, you will receive reimbursement for the vehicle (minus your deductible).
If you're lucky, you may be in a position to get your car back in the time period. If not, you'll be compensated the actual cash value (minus your deductible) of the vehicle that was stolen. You can use the funds to buy a new car should you choose to. Be aware, however, that any claims made on your policy could increase your rates. If you're unsure if you should submit a claim, talk with your insurance agent and get their opinion.