Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
Leaving your car keys in the ignition could seem like a bad idea, but is insurance covered for cars that are stolen with keys in them? Generally, yes. However there are some caveats.
First, ensure that your car is not missing prior to filing a claim. Understand that the claim process will start with a police report as well as a thorough description of your vehicle.
1. Call the Police
It is crucial to adopt preventative measures to secure your car and its contents. Car theft is increasing nationwide and Colorado ranks #1 in per capita thefts. This includes locking your vehicle, setting up an alarm, and taking all keys and fobs out of the vehicle when not driving it. It's also a good idea to hide valuables inside of the vehicle or, better yet, remove them completely from the car. Even taking precautionary measures, you may still be a victim of a crime of opportunity. If your vehicle is stolen and you have your key inside follow these steps to notify the police and to your insurer.
Immediately after your vehicle is reported stolen, you should contact the police immediately to file an official theft report. The more details you can give the police regarding your vehicle including its model and make, as well as the license plate number or VIN, the higher the chance of it being returned to you. Let the police know whether your vehicle has an GPS device.
After you've filed your police report, call your insurance company to inform them of theft. You can do this over the phone or online, based on the policies of your insurance provider. Give your policy number, the vehicle's model and make, as well as any identifying information (like large dents or custom add-ons) and the date and location of the loss. Inform your insurance company that you have other technology on your vehicle, such as a GPS tracking system, that could assist in locating it.
Be sure to give the police and your insurance company the exact information, as any discrepancies can delay the processing of your claim. The insurance company could also use this information to decide whether or not to pay claims if you owe a lot of money. This is why it's advisable to not leave any personal documents or other information in your vehicle, including receipts for credit cards, receipts for purchases and pay stubs. If you do leave such information in your vehicle, make sure to notify your bank, credit card companies and other organizations of the theft so that they can put a halt to any unauthorised charges and notify their security departments.
2. Call Your Insurance Company
It's no secret that car theft is on the rise. In fact thousands of vehicles are stolen with owners' keys inside each year. So, it's not just a matter of luck. You can do your part to prevent this from happening by putting additional deterrents in place between your vehicle and potential thieves.
Contact your insurance company immediately following the theft. You can get a rental vehicle from your insurer while you wait to retrieve your vehicle or get compensation if you don't. They will provide you with the details of your policy and answer any questions. It is also essential to make a police report containing the name and number of the officer who conducted an investigation into the incident, along with the time and date of the theft.
Include all relevant details regarding your vehicle, including its model and make, as well as an extensive description of the items stolen. Also, make sure to include the name and contact number of any person who had access to the vehicle or any valuables that were in it. This information will help police investigate the claim and rule out people who may be attempting to commit fraud. You may also want to conduct a credit check. This is to make sure you are not in significant debt that could raise suspicions of fraud and make it harder for you to secure an acceptable settlement for the car you stole.
You can also request the name and number of a representative from your insurance company to help you navigate through the claims process. You can reach them via various ways, including by telephone or via chat online.
It can be a hassle to file a claim for car insurance with your insurance company and the police, but it is essential to do it as soon as you can. This will not only ensure that your vehicle receives the attention it deserves and deserves, but it also helps you avoid being caught in a scam or being denied coverage due to an error that isn't too difficult to spot.
3. Claim your Benefits
You'll need to provide all the information as soon as you can. This includes where your car was before and after it was stolen, any photographs you might have, and the contact information of everyone who had access to the vehicle. Your insurance company will require a detailed description of your vehicle, including any upgrades and options you may have. Keep receipts.
You may need to submit two claims. One for your auto insurance policy and one for renters or homeowners to cover any personal belongings in the car. If you have a comprehensive coverage on your auto policy it should provide the funds to replace your property. Your policy's limits as well as your deductible are still in place.
Once your claim has been accepted, your insurance company will either reimburse you the cash value of the car if the vehicle is deemed totaled, or cover the full cost in the event that the car was found and returned. Then you'll be accountable for your deductible if you decide to repair the vehicle, which is usually not feasible.
An insurer may take up 30 days to pay an insurance claim for a vehicle that was stolen. It isn't easy to travel while waiting and you should make sure that your policy includes reimbursement for rental. The majority of policies do, however coverage differs by provider and policy.
If your car is never found, it's crucial to report it to the police immediately. This will place your vehicle in databases of the state and national levels which makes it more difficult for thieves to sell your car later on. You can also add a police report to your auto insurance policy by submitting it to your insurance company.
If you leave your keys in your car could cause a car to be stolen more info It's therefore recommended to keep them in a secure location and lock your vehicle when it is not being used. You can also deter theft by parking your vehicle in well-lit areas and keeping your keys in your pocket.
4. Recover Your Car
If you are certain that your car has been stolen with keys inside, contact the police to file a report. This will add your vehicle's details to national and state databases, making it more difficult for thieves to steal it. You should also contact your insurance company as soon as possible to make a claim for a stolen vehicle.
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, mileage on the odometer and other factors to decide how much your car is worth. But, you'll still have to pay a $500 deductible.
Your insurance company will repair any damage caused while your car was stolen even if the keys were still inside. If you have a tracking device it can help police locate your vehicle once it's been recovered.
If your car was stolen and your keys were hidden inside, you should take action immediately. Delays can cause your claim to be denied or investigated as fraud. In certain instances you could be required to undergo an examination under oath, where you're asked questions by a representative from your insurance company under the oath.
You may have to file an an additional 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 homeowners or renters insurance, based on where they were stored. If you have both homeowners and auto insurance policies combined you can claim both policies at once.
Always lock your car and take keys from it when you're not driving it. Keep your spare keys in a safe place away from your car. Don't write your name or address on your keys to your car. Rather, select parking spaces that are well-lit, monitored and off-street as much as possible. Also, make sure your car is parked in a secure, well-lit spot and that you're not blocking any driveways or mailboxes.