The Most Significant Issue With Car Stolen With Keys And How To Fix It
The Most Significant Issue With Car Stolen With Keys And How To Fix It
Blog Article
Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
The idea of putting your car keys in the ignition may sound like a bad idea but is insurance coverage available for cars stolen with keys inside? Generally, yes. There are some caveats.
First, ensure that your vehicle is indeed missing before you file claims. Be aware that the claim process starts with a police report as well as a detailed description of your vehicle.
1. Contact the police
It is essential 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 car and setting up an alarm and removing all keys or fobs from the vehicle when you're not driving. It's also recommended to store valuables inside of the vehicle or better yet, take them completely from the vehicle. Even if you've taken precautionary steps, you might be a victim of a crime of opportunity. If you have a key inside of your vehicle that's stolen and you want to report it, here are the steps to take to report the theft to the police and your insurance.
Immediately after your vehicle is reported stolen, you should call the police to file a theft report. The more information that you can give the police about your car like its model and make, as well as the license plate number, or VIN, the higher chances of it being returned to you. Also let the police know that your vehicle is fitted with an GPS device.
After you've filed your police report, contact your insurance company and inform them of the theft. You should be able to do this over the phone or online, based on your insurance company's policies. Please provide your policy number, the make and model of the vehicle and any other identifying information (like large dents, custom additions and so on.) and the time and location of the theft. Let your insurance agent know if you have any other technology in your vehicle, for instance a GPS tracking system, that can assist in finding it.
Don't forget to provide your insurance company and police the exact same information. Any discrepancies can delay the process of processing your claims. In addition, if you are in significant debt, your insurance company could make use of this information to determine whether to pay your claim or not. This is the reason it's best to not leave any personal documents or data in your vehicle, like receipts, credit cards and pay stubs. If you do decide to leave this information in your vehicle, make sure to notify your bank, credit card companies and other organizations of the theft, so they can put a halt to any charges that are not authorized and alert their security departments.
2. Call Your Insurance Company
Car theft is increasing. Every year, thousands cars with keys inside are stolen. It's not just luck. You can reduce this crime by adding more protections to your vehicle.
The first thing you have to do is contact your insurance provider immediately after the incident. Your insurer will be able to provide you with a rental vehicle while you wait for your car to be returned or compensate you in the event that it doesn't. They will be able to provide you with details of your policy and answer any questions. It is also recommended to file a police complaint with the name and contact number of the police officer who was involved in the investigation and the date and time.
Include all pertinent information regarding your vehicle, including the model and make of your vehicle, and a detailed description on the items stolen. Remember to include the name as well as the number and information about anyone who may have had access to your vehicle or valuables inside. This information will help police investigate the claims and eliminate those who are trying to commit fraud. It is also possible to check your credit report. This is to ensure that you are not in debt to the extent of which could lead to suspicions of fraud and make it harder to negotiate an acceptable settlement for your car that was stolen.
You can also obtain the name and contact number of a representative from your insurance company to help you to navigate the claims process. You can reach them in various ways, including via phone or via online chat.
It may be an inconvenience to make a claim for car insurance with your insurer and the police, but it's important to do so as soon as you can. This will not only ensure that your car gets the attention it needs however, it will also help you avoid getting caught in a scam or being denied coverage due to an error that isn't too difficult to spot.
3. File a Claim
You'll need to provide all the information as quickly as you can. This includes where your vehicle was before and after it was taken away, any photos you might have, as well as the contact information of everyone who was able to access the vehicle. Your insurance company will require a precise description of your vehicle, including any upgrades and options you might have. Also, keep receipts.
You may have to file two claims: an auto insurance claim for the car itself, and a homeowner or renters insurance claim for any personal belongings inside the vehicle. If you have comprehensive coverage your auto insurance policy should cover the cost of replacing your property. However, the limits of your policy and deductibles will be in effect.
After your claim is completed, your insurance company will either pay you back the cash value of the vehicle if the car has been deemed totaled, or pay the entire cost in the event that the car was found and then returned. If you decide to fix the vehicle, which isn't always feasible, your insurance will be able to charge you for the deductible.
It can take up to 30 days for an insurance company to settle a stolen car claim. In the meantime it can be difficult to get around and you should check whether your policy provides rental reimbursement. The majority of policies do, however coverage is different for each the policy and the provider.
Report your vehicle to the police immediately if not found. This will be added to databases of the state and national levels, which will make it difficult for thieves later on to sell your vehicle. You can also add an official police report to your automobile insurance policy by filing it with your insurer.
Leaving your keys in your vehicle could lead to a stolen car and it's best to keep them in a safe place and lock the vehicle when not in use. You can also prevent theft by parking your vehicle in well-lit areas and keeping your keys with you.
4. Recover Your Car
As soon as you are sure that your car was taken with keys inside, call the police and file a complaint. This will add the information about your vehicle to state and federal databases click here which makes it harder for thieves to sell. Contact your insurer immediately to report a stolen vehicle.
If you have comprehensive coverage, your provider will cover the cost of replacing your stolen vehicle minus depreciation. The insurance company will evaluate the value of your vehicle by taking into account things like similar vehicles in your area and the mileage on your odometer, and other factors. You'll still be required to pay a $500 deduction.
In addition to the cost to replace your vehicle the insurance company will also repair any damage that was caused when your vehicle was stolen with keys inside. If you own a tracker, it may help the police locate your car after it is recovered.
If your car has been stolen and your keys were hidden inside, you should take action immediately. Delays can cause your claim to be rejected or questioned as fraud. In some instances an insurance agent could inquire about your claim under the oath.
While your car will be covered by comprehensive auto insurance, you may need to file a separate claim for any belongings that were taken from your vehicle. These items will probably be covered by renters or homeowners insurance, depending on where you kept them. If you have both your auto and homeowners insurance policies bundled together and you want to make both claims at the same time.
When you are not driving your vehicle, you must always lock it and remove the keys. If you have a spare key, keep it in a safe place away from your car. Don't write your address or name on your car keys. Also, choose parking spaces that are well-lit, monitored and off the street as much as possible. Also, make sure your car is in a secure, well-lit place and that you're blocking any driveways or mailboxes.