If Your Car Was Stolen With Keys Inside, Follow the Police Process
As the colder weather moves us into "Puffing Season" leaving cars running with keys inside has become an increasingly popular method of theft. If your car is taken with keys inside, it is recommended that you always file a police report right away.
Insurance policies differ in coverage, but generally covers cars even if you keep the keys inside. However, personal belongings are typically covered by homeowners or renters insurance, not car insurance.
Theft
A lot of car thieves simply attack a vehicle with keys inside. It's a simple strategy that is effective: a driver becomes distracted, and the next thing they realize is that their car is gone. It's essential to stop this cycle, so make sure you always have your keys on you when you leave your car, no matter where you park.
Every 32 seconds, a vehicle is taken away. The United States suffers losses of $8 billion in vehicle thefts every year. This is why it's vital to not leave your car in the garage with the keys inside particularly in areas with high crime rates.
Thieves are now extremely skilled when they steal vehicles with key fobs inside their vehicles, which makes it imperative to be extra careful. Thieves may employ relay attacks, signal jamming devices, or other technology to hack into the computer system of a vehicle and reprogram an entirely new key fob. They can also use an "slim jim", a tool that fits inside the cavity of a door in the window at the base to alter the locking mechanisms or links.
Another option is hotwiring, which involves removing the vehicle's ignition wire and utilizing an electric current to start the engine. It's a popular method among teenagers who don't have a full-time job and are looking to make an easy buck. It's also a way for criminals to use stolen vehicles to enjoy joyride, 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 detect any discrepancies or potential breaches in security. They should also advise drivers to use a signal blocking pouch or Faraday box when storing their keys, as they can protect against relay attacks and other forms of hacks.
If you do leave your car running while you have the keys inside the car, your insurance provider will compensate you for the loss provided you have Comprehensive coverage. Your insurer may conduct a credit and other checks before making a payment.
Damage
It's like asking for your car to be stolen if you leave it running or unlocked while the keys are in. A car thief who is opportunistic can drive away in a matter seconds. If you have insurance that is comprehensive the insurer could cover the theft. However, some policies exclude cars that have keys inside from being covered. If you're worried that your insurance won't cover this, it might be worth switching insurance providers.
Some states have specific laws that dictate how a car owner is liable for a vehicle theft with the keys inside. It's important to know the rules, as they differ from state to state. In most cases, if an accident occurs while the thief is driving the car, the driver is not held accountable. This is because the thief not considered an insured driver. The owner of the car is not held liable for the items taken from the vehicle since these are usually covered by homeowners or renters insurance.
It is important 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. It is important to be aware that multiple claims can affect your insurance rate. Discuss this with your agent to determine how it affects your policy in the future.
If you want to stop your vehicle from being taken even if the keys are inside, lock it and close the windows each time you leave. It is also a good idea to keep the spare key in a safe location and not inside the vehicle. If you are required to leave the vehicle running, be sure to place it in park and switch off the ignition prior to your leave.
In addition to avoiding the risk of your vehicle being stolen with the keys inside, you should be extra careful not to leave valuables inside your vehicle, such as laptops and MP3 players. If you have any non-permanent accessories to your vehicle, such as an USB player connected to an accessory port, you may be eligible to make a separate claim for the items.
Insurance
Vehicle theft costs Americans $8 billion per annum. Fortunately, most cars are covered by insurance policies if they are stolen. In some cases your insurance policy might not cover the cost of replacing or repairing your car. If you leave your keys in your car and it's stolen, that's one of them. This is not a common circumstance, but it can occur.
The answer to whether or not your vehicle is covered in this case is contingent on the policy you have. The majority of policies that provide comprehensive insurance will cover your car even if it's stolen and the keys remain inside. However, the amount that your insurance company will pay will be dependent on the limits of your policy as well as the deductible.
If you only have liability insurance, your vehicle could be stolen if you forget to leave the keys in it. However, you'll only be compensated up to a maximum amount of $10,000. If you have comprehensive insurance on your car and you make a claim for the full value of the vehicle and everything inside it (minus the deductible).
There is a caveat that comes with this scenario: Insurance companies could consider putting 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 that they are secured when unattended and not left running. If you reside in an area where car thefts are a common occurrence, your insurer might raise your premium.
Other methods to safeguard your vehicle from theft is installing an anti-theft system or other security features. You can also determine whether you have insurance for your property in place. Renters and homeowners insurance typically provide personal property protection that will cover your belongings if they are lost or stolen on or off the premises. If you have a bundled property and auto insurance policies, you can typically file both claims together to save time and money.
Recovery
Follow the police procedure for recovering your vehicle after it has been stolen and keys hidden inside. Report the theft to the police department in your area, and ensure you provide them with the information about your vehicle they require, including the car's VIN and license plate number, its year model, make and model, the location where it was taken, any unique features (large holes or custom-designed add-ons, for example) and the time it was taken.
After the police have filed a complaint and they begin looking for your vehicle. They will employ a variety of methods to locate it, such as interviewing witnesses, analyzing physical evidence and examining surveillance footage. During this process, it's crucial to be patient and to keep in touch with the police regularly for updates.
If your car is recovered and needs to be inspected by an insurance claims adjuster, they is required to inspect it to determine its condition. If the car is in a safe driving condition and the damage occurred while it was not your control, your comprehensive coverage will pay you for it. The amount you are awarded will be based on the value of your vehicle, its current market value, your insurance deductible and any other additional insurances you may have like homeowners or renters.
Notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state of residence regarding the vehicle that was stolen is a second step that can differ based on the advice of the police or insurance click here company advises. This will be added to the information of your vehicle to a nationwide database for stolen vehicles. This will make it difficult for criminals to sell or register an illegally stolen vehicle.
Contact your bank to stop the freezing of any credit or debit card found in your vehicle that has been stolen. This will prevent identity theft and fraudulent charges. It is a good idea, if you have homeowners insurance or renters coverage, to declare the theft. Car items are typically covered under these policies. You may be able to combine your claims from both policies in some instances to receive a greater payout for your stolen goods.