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 has become a popular theft tactic. It is recommended to report the police if your car has been stolen and keys are in the car.
Insurance policies differ however, comprehensive coverage typically protects cars even if keys are locked inside. Personal items are usually covered by renters or homeowners insurance, not auto insurance.
Theft
A lot of car thieves just take advantage of vehicles with keys in them. It's a simple strategy that is effective: a driver becomes distracted and the next thing they know is that their car is gone. It's important to break this cycle, so make sure you have your keys in your car when you leave your vehicle, no matter the place you park.
Every 32 seconds, a car is stolen. The US loses $8 billion in vehicle thefts every year. This is why it's vital to never leave your car unattended with the keys inside particularly in areas with high crime rates.
The thieves have become very adept at stealing vehicles that have key fobs. This makes it even more crucial to take additional precautions. The thieves may use relay attacks signal jamming, relay attacks, or any other technology to hack the system of a vehicle and then reprogram the key fob. They may also employ a "slim jim" an instrument that fits into the door's cavity at the base window, to manipulate the internal locking mechanisms or links.
Hotwiring is another method that involves removing the ignition cord from the vehicle and using an electrical current to start the motor. This is a method that is popular among teens who don't have a full-time job and are looking to make a quick buck. However, it's also a way for criminals to steal vehicles to engage in joyriding or other criminal acts.
Dealerships can safeguard themselves by using vehicle tracking systems and conducting regular audits of their key inventory and vehicle records to identify any discrepancies or potential breaches in security. They should also encourage drivers use a Faraday box or a signal-blocking pouch when storing their key, as this can help prevent hacking and relay attacks.
If you happen to leave your car running while you have keys in it your insurance company will cover the loss in the event that you have Comprehensive coverage. Your insurance company may conduct credit or other check prior to reimbursing you.
Damage
It's almost like asking for your car to be stolen if you leave it running or unlocked with keys in the car. It takes a savvy criminal a few seconds to get in and drive away. Luckily, your insurance company might cover the theft when you have a comprehensive insurance policy. Certain policies do not cover cars with keys inside. If you're concerned that your policy won't cover this, it may be worth switching auto insurance providers.
Certain states have laws that define the manner in which a car owner is responsible for a vehicle theft with the keys inside. It is important to be aware of the rules as they differ from state states. In the majority of cases, the car owner is not accountable for any accidents that happen while the thief is driving. The thief doesn't have insurance. The owner of the vehicle is not liable for the items that were stolen from the vehicle since they are typically covered by renters or homeowners insurance.
It is essential to report the car theft to police and your insurance company right away. This will help the process accelerate and increase the chances of reclaiming your property. You should also be aware that filing multiple claims can impact your insurance rates. Make sure you discuss this with your insurance agent in order to determine the effect it could have on your policy in the near future.
If you wish to protect your vehicle from being taken even if the keys are inside, make sure you lock it and close the windows each time you leave. A spare key must be kept in a secure location and not kept in the car. If you have to leave the vehicle running while you leave, be sure to turn off the ignition and place the vehicle in park before you exit.
You should not leave valuables such as laptops or MP3 players in your vehicle. You may be able make a separate claim if you have added non-permanent items to your vehicle for example, the USB device plugged into the auxiliary port.
Insurance
A car is stolen every 32 seconds, and car theft cost Americans over $8 billion per year. Most cars are covered under insurance policies in the event that they are stolen. In some instances, your insurance policy may not cover the cost of repair or replacement of your vehicle. One example is if you forgot your keys in the car and it is taken. This is not a typical scenario, but it does happen.
Your policy will determine if your vehicle is covered in this scenario. The majority of policies that provide comprehensive insurance will cover the vehicle even if it's stolen and the keys remain inside. However, the amount your insurance company will pay will be dependent on the limit of your policy and the deductible.
If you have a liability-only insurance policy, your car is likely to be stolen if keys are inside, but you'll only get compensation of $10,000 or so. If you have comprehensive insurance for your car however, you'll be eligible to file a claim for the entire value of your vehicle and all the items in it (minus your deductible).
There is a limitation to this scenario: Insurance companies could consider leaving your keys in your car as a case of negligence. Many insurance companies require their customers to take reasonable care of their vehicles, which includes ensuring they are locked when they are not being used and not left running. If you reside in a region where car thefts are common, your insurer might raise your cost.
There are other ways to protect your car from theft, by installing an anti-theft system or other safety features. You can also check if you have property insurance in place. Insurance policies for homeowners and renters generally cover personal property, which covers your possessions in the event they are stolen or lost on or off premises. 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 police procedure. Report the theft to the police department in your area, and be sure to provide them with the details of your vehicle they need, such as the car's VIN as well as license plate number, its year and make and the location from which it was taken, any distinct features (large dents or custom add-ons, for instance) and the time it was taken.
Once the police have read more filed a complaint, they will start searching for your vehicle. They will use different methods to find it, including speaking with witnesses, analyzing evidence in physical form and reviewing surveillance footage. During this process, it's essential to be patient and continue to keep in touch with the police frequently for updates.
In the event that your car is recovered, it may need to be inspected by an insurance claims adjuster to determine its condition. If it is found in drivable condition and the damage was done while it was out of your control the amount you are compensated through your comprehensive coverage. The amount you will receive will be based on the value of your vehicle as well as its current value in the market, your insurance deductible, and any additional coverages you might have like homeowners or renters.
Notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state of residence regarding the stolen vehicle is an additional step that can differ based on the advice of the police or insurance company recommends. This will be added to the information of your vehicle to a nationwide database for stolen vehicles. This will make it difficult for criminals in the future to sell or register an illegally stolen vehicle.
Contact the bank to block any debit or credit card found in your vehicle that was stolen. This will help prevent fraudulent charges and identity theft. It is a good idea, if you have renters or homeowners insurance coverage, to also notify the police of the theft. Items inside your car are usually covered by these policies. In certain cases, you may be able combine the claims from both policies in order to receive a larger settlement for your items that were stolen.