If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have insurance that is comprehensive your car will be covered even if keys are not in the car. However the insurance company will conduct a fraud investigation to see whether you were negligent in causing the theft.
It is recommended to file a claim immediately when you realize that your vehicle is missing. Your insurance claim will be denied if you put off filing.
1. Don't panic!
It is important to remain at peace and avoid making a mistake that could make the situation worse. Call the police first. After that provide them with the most complete information you can about the vehicle, including the make, model and license plate number. You should also inform them if you have any valuables in your vehicle, such as laptops, a identification badges for work or other personal items.
The police will be able to give you the best information regarding your stolen vehicle and the steps they plan to take moving forward. They might be in a position to locate your vehicle for you or even be able to catch the thieves who stole it.
Many people fail to lock their cars or shut the windows, especially when they are in hurry or have children in the car. It may sound silly but it's a simple mistake to make and can have disastrous consequences. In these instances thieves can simply climb into the driver's seat and drive off as if it were their own car. If nobody knows it's not their vehicle the thieves could travel for a long period of time before being stopped by police.
A common mistake is to leave an ignition or spare key on your person. This is dangerous since it makes it easier to start the car and run off with. People often do this when they enter to buy something or leave their vehicle running for a few minutes while they visit the store. Other mistakes that are common include running the car while it is heating up or running into the gas station to pay for fuel.
In order to avoid these mistakes It is crucial to take proactive steps to avoid them in the future. There are a variety of methods to accomplish this including installing an alarm system to parking in areas with good lighting. Certain automakers also provide security features to deter thieves and prevent them from starting their cars. These features range from an audible alarm system to more sophisticated GPS-based devices that track the vehicle.
2. Call the Police
As an owner of a vehicle, it is your responsibility to report any attempted or actual theft. Your police department is in a position to assist you by giving you information on what steps you should take next and may even offer advice around protecting your vehicle in the future, for instance, installing a wheel lock. They will also be able to provide you with an identification number for the crime, which will help you when contacting your insurer.
It is crucial to provide as many details as you can when reporting a vehicle that has been stolen. Be sure that you give the same information to your insurance company and the police. This will increase the likelihood of your car being returned or recovered.
The kind of information you need to be prepared to provide includes your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number as well as the year, year, model and model and any other distinctive features. If your vehicle is equipped with a GPS tracking device or any other anti-theft device, make sure to include it in addition to.
Another piece of information important is the presence of any personal belongings in the vehicle when the theft occurred. This could be your wallet, purse, or any other object that holds personal information. It's recommended to notify banks, credit card companies and any other entities that could be involved in the case of a stolen item in your vehicle.
You should also contact your homeowners or renters insurer for any personal possessions were taken. This is because this kind of property is usually covered under the personal property section of these policies, while auto insurance only covers damages to your vehicle.
While there's no way to fully prevent a car theft, you can reduce the likelihood of this occurring by removing any valuables from your vehicle by locking your doors, and closing your windows at all times. It's also crucial to keep a spare set of keys somewhere other than in your vehicle. Also, you should review your insurance policy each year to ensure you have adequate coverage.
If you have comprehensive coverage the insurance company will cover the loss of your vehicle, minus any applicable deductible. Liability insurance does not cover thefts of cars. Make sure you have comprehensive insurance prior to lending your vehicle.
3. Don't Try to Search for Your Vehicle Alone
As a car owner, you have a duty website to safeguard your property. This is why it's essential to ensure that your vehicle is secure, even when you're not in the car. It's important to lock your car each time you leave and to roll the windows fully up. It's also a good idea not to leave your spare keys in your car or in a place where thieves could gain access to them.
One of the most frequent causes for car thefts is that people keep an extra key in the vicinity or in the vehicle. This is a simple mistake that could have serious consequences particularly in the present day.
Modern thieves have shifted beyond the traditional hotwiring methods you'd observe in a action film and are now employing more sophisticated techniques to steal vehicles. This includes a relay attack where two thieves use electronic devices to capture the signal of the owner's keyfob and then unlock the vehicle, and then drive it off.
The good news is that police are now using more effective technology in order to locate thieves who attempt to steal cars by putting keys inside. Some companies offer to put a tracking device on your vehicle which can transmit the exact location of your vehicle to the police. This could help reduce the amount of thefts and increase the likelihood of being recovered.
You might also wish to install an immobilizer in order to prevent your car from being started. This will make it harder for thieves to take your vehicle. You can also find out who attempted to start your vehicle by contacting the police.
You should never look for your vehicle in the event that you decide to locate it down. This can lead to more damage and possibly the theft of personal belongings from your vehicle. Instead, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible and let them know that your car has been stolen and keys were inside. You should also tell them about any personal possessions inside the car at the moment of theft, such as mail or a purse containing credit cards or cash or an office badge or other form of identification.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have a comprehensive auto insurance policy (which typically covers a broad variety of events, including theft) it is crucial to call your insurer and file an insurance claim as soon as you can. This will enable them to begin investigating and ensure you are covered in the event that your vehicle is damaged or stolen.
You must provide your insurance with as many details about your vehicle as you can remember, including the year, make, and model, the license plate number as well as the VIN (vehicle ID number) and where you saw it last. It is also helpful to include details about the manner in which the theft occurred and what time of the day it was, and if there was any rain or snow. If you're not sure about any of these details it is possible to ask the police to verify the information.
In some cases, it may be necessary to report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles as well. This will prevent the thief using your car to violate the law or damage other property.
You'll need the police report on be on hand when you contact your insurer to begin the investigation. Also, you must be prepared to provide any other details required by your insurance agent.
Be sure to report any personal items stolen with your vehicle, since these might be covered by your homeowners or renters insurance (depending on the location you live in). In addition, you must notify your leasing or finance company to let them know the vehicle was reported as stolen.
Even though this is a terrible situation to be in, it is essential to remain calm and take action quickly. These tips will help to accomplish this and may result in you getting your car back safe and sound. If you are required to make a claim on the car that was stolen with keys in it the best thing you can do is work with an independent insurance agent who will assist you in the process and provide you with discounts to make the whole experience as smooth as possible.