If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have a comprehensive insurance policy the insurance company will cover the vehicle that was stolen even if you forgot keys inside it. The insurance company will investigate the incident to determine whether it was your fault.
It is recommended to file a claim immediately when you realize that the vehicle was stolen. Any delay will likely result in your insurance claim getting rejected or even being subject to fraud investigations.
1. Don't Panic
It is important to remain calm and avoid making a mistake that could cause the situation to get worse. The first thing you should do is call the police. Once you do provide them with the most complete information you can about the vehicle, including the make, model and license plate number. You will also want to inform them if you had any valuables in your vehicle, like a laptop, work ID badge, or other personal items.
The police will provide you with the most accurate information about your vehicle stolen and what they intend to do next. They might be able to locate your vehicle or catch the thieves.
Many people do not lock their vehicles or shut the windows, especially when they are in a hurry or have children in the car. While it may appear like a foolish mistake but it's actually quite simple to make and usually has devastating consequences. In these cases thieves simply get into the driver's seat like they owned it and drive away. If no one is aware that it's not owned by the owner thieves could drive for a long period of time before being arrested by the police.
A common mistake is to leave a spare or an ignition key on your person. This is a risk since it makes it easier to start the car and then run off with. People often do this when they go inside to grab something or leave their vehicle running for a short time while they go in a store. Other common mistakes include driving the car while it is warming up or hurrying to a gas station in order to pay for fuel.
In order to avoid these mistakes, it is essential to take preventive measures to avoid them in the future. There are many ways to do this starting with installing an alarm system to simply parking in areas that are well-lit. Certain automakers also offer security features to deter thieves and stop them from starting their car. They can vary from a simple alarm that is audible to more sophisticated devices that utilize GPS technology to track the car.
2. Call the police
As a car owner, it's your duty to report any theft or attempted theft. Your police department is in a position to assist you by providing information about what steps you should take next. They could also provide advice on how to protect your vehicle in the future, for instance, installing the wheel lock. They can also provide you with an identification number for the crime, which will help you when reaching out to your insurance.
It's important to provide as much information as you can when submitting a report of the theft of a vehicle. Make sure that all the information you provide to the police and your insurance company are the same. This increases the chance of your car being returned or retrieved.
The type of information you need to be prepared to disclose includes your vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate number year, year, make and model as well as any other distinctive features. If your vehicle has a GPS tracking device or other anti-theft device, make sure to include it as well.
A second important aspect important is the presence of any personal items inside the vehicle at the time that the theft occurred. This could include a wallet, purse or any other item that could contain personal information. It is important to notify the credit card companies, your bank and any other entity which could be involved if an item is stolen from your car.
It is also advisable to contact your homeowners or renters insurer in the event that any of your personal property was taken. This is because these possessions are usually covered under the personal property section of these policies, whereas auto insurance will only cover the damage to your vehicle.
While there's no way to completely prevent a car theft, you can minimize the risk of this occurring by removing any valuables from your vehicle and locking your doors. You can also avoid opening your windows at all times. It's also essential to keep a spare set keys in a different location than your vehicle and to review your insurance policy each year to ensure you have enough coverage.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurer will pay for the damage or loss to your vehicle, less any applicable deductible. Liability insurance doesn't cover car thefts. Make sure you have comprehensive insurance prior to lending your car.
3. Don't Try to Search for Your Vehicle All by Yourself
As a car owner, you have a duty to ensure the security of your property. It is crucial to secure your vehicle, even when you are not present. It's essential to lock your car every time you leave, and to roll the windows fully up. It's also best to keep your spare keys in the car, or in any other location where it could be easily accessible to criminals.
In fact, one of the most common reasons that people have their vehicles stolen with keys in it is because they have left an extra key in or close to the car. This is a simple mistake that can have grave consequences particularly in the present day.
Modern thieves have advanced beyond the traditional hotwiring methods you'd observe in a action film, and are using more sophisticated techniques to steal vehicles. This involves a relay attack in which two thieves utilize electronic devices to intercept the signal from the owner's keyfob, then unlock the car, and drive it off.
The good news is that police are now beginning to make use of more sophisticated technology to identify thieves who attempt to steal cars with keys in them. For example, some companies are now offering to install a tracking system on your car that will report its location to police. This will help to decrease the amount of thefts and increase their chances of being recovered.
You might also wish to install an immobilizer to stop your car from being started. This makes it harder for thieves to take your read more vehicle. You can also find out who attempted to start the car by calling the police.
It is not advisable to search for your own vehicle in the event that you decide to locate it down. This could cause more damage and potentially lead to the theft of other items inside your vehicle, such as your personal belongings. You should instead contact your insurance company and inform them that the car was stolen, with keys inside. Also, inform them about any personal items in the car at the time of theft, including mail or a purse containing credit cards or cash, office badges or other form of identification.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have comprehensive car insurance (which includes a variety of incidents including theft) You should contact your insurance company as soon as you can to make a claim. This will enable them to begin the investigation and ensure you are covered in case your car is damaged or stolen.
You should provide your insurer with as many details regarding your vehicle as you can recall, including the year, make, and model and the license plate number and the VIN (vehicle ID number) and where you saw it last. It is also beneficial to include details about the circumstances of the theft and at what time of the day it was, and if there was any snow or rain. If you're not sure about any of these details it is possible to ask the police to verify the information.
In certain instances it is required to report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles as well. This will stop the thief from utilizing your car in any way that could violate the law or cause damage to others property.
If you contact your insurance company, you'll require the police report with you so that they can get started on the investigation. You should also be prepared to provide any other information requested by your insurance agent.
Make sure to note any personal items you have stolen with your vehicle, as they may be covered under your homeowners or renters insurance (depending on where you live). Additionally, you should notify your finance or leasing company that the vehicle was reported as stolen.
It is crucial to remain calm and act quickly, even though it is an emergency. These tips will help you accomplish this and may help you get your vehicle back in good condition. If you have to file a claim for the car that was stolen with keys in it the best thing you can do is consult an independent insurance broker who can guide you through the process and provide you with discounts to make the experience as smooth as possible.