3 Reasons You're Not Getting Car Stolen With Keys Isn't Working (And What You Can Do To Fix It)
3 Reasons You're Not Getting Car Stolen With Keys Isn't Working (And What You Can Do To Fix It)
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Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
Car keys left in the ignition could seem like a bad idea, but is insurance covered for cars that are stolen with keys inside? Generally, yes. However, there are a few cautions.
First, you must ensure that your vehicle is truly missing before you file a claim. The claim process begins with a police declaration and a detailed description of the vehicle.
1. Call the police
With car theft spiking nationwide and Colorado being ranked first in per capita thefts, it's important to take the necessary precautions to safeguard your vehicle and its contents. This includes locking your vehicle, setting up an alert and removing all keys or fobs from the vehicle when you're not driving. It's also recommended to store valuables in the vehicle or, better yet, remove them completely from the car. Unfortunately, even taking precautionary steps, you might be a victim of a crime of opportunity. If you have a key in the interior of your vehicle and it's stolen and you want to report it, here are the steps to take to inform the police and your insurer.
You should contact the police immediately after your vehicle has been reported stolen to make a formal report. The more information that you can provide the police about your car like its make and model and license plate number or VIN, the better the chance of it being returned to you. Also, inform the police if your vehicle is equipped with the GPS device.
After you've filed your police report, call your insurance company and inform them of theft. You should be able to make this call or online, depending on the policies of your insurance provider. Give your policy number, your car's model and make, any identifying details (like large scratches or custom-designed add-ons) and the date and the location of the theft. Let your insurance agent know that you have other technology in your vehicle, for instance a GPS tracking system, that could assist in locating it.
Don't forget to provide your insurance company and police the exact same information. Any discrepancies could delay the process of processing your claims. Insurance companies may also make use of this information to determine whether or not to make a claim in the event that you owe a large amount of money. This is the reason it's best to avoid leaving any personal documents or information in your vehicle, such as receipts for credit cards, receipts for purchases and paycheck stubs. If you do leave such details in your vehicle inform your bank and credit card company, and all other entities about the theft. This will enable them to block any unauthorized charges and notify their security department.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
Car theft is on the increase. Every year, thousands cars with keys inside are stolen. This isn't only a case of luck. You can take steps to avoid this crime by putting more security measures in place between your car and thieves.
The first thing to do is contact your insurance provider immediately after the theft has occurred. Your insurer will be able to provide you with a rental car while you wait for your vehicle to be recovered or compensate you if it's not. They will answer all your questions and provide the details of your insurance policy. It's also important 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.
Make sure to include all relevant information of your vehicle, including its model and make, and a detailed description of the items that were stolen. Also, make sure to include the name and phone number of anyone who had access to the vehicle, or any valuables inside it. This information can help police investigate the claim and rule out people who may be attempting to commit fraud. It may be necessary to run a credit check as well. This is to ensure you are not in significant debt which could lead to suspicions of fraud and make it harder to negotiate a satisfactory settlement for your stolen car.
You can also obtain the name and contact number of a representative from your insurance company to help you get through the claims process. You can reach them via various ways, including via telephone or via chat online.
It can be a hassle to make a claim for car insurance with your insurance company and the police, but it's important to do so as soon as you can. It is crucial to file a claim as soon as you can. Not only will it ensure that your car gets the attention it deserves but it will also help you avoid being a victim of fraud and having your insurance denied due to an unintentional error.
3. Claim your Benefits
Your insurance company will want know the full details as soon as possible So make sure you have everything organized. Include any photos, the location of your car before and after the theft, and the contact information of any person who had access it. Your insurance company needs a detailed description of your vehicle, including any upgrades and other options. If you have receipts for your purchase, these are essential as well.
You may need to make two claims. One for your auto insurance policy and another for homeowners or renters for any personal belongings in the car. If you do have comprehensive coverage your auto insurance policy will cover the cost of replacing your property. However, the policy's limits and deductibles will apply.
Once your claim has been accepted, your insurance company will either pay you the value in cash of the vehicle, if the vehicle is deemed totaled, or pay the entire cost in the event that the vehicle was found and returned. Then, you'll be responsible for your deductible in the event that you decide to repair your vehicle, which is often not feasible.
It could take up to up to 30 days or more for an insurance company to settle a stolen car claim. While you're waiting, it can be difficult to navigate, so check to see whether your policy includes rental reimbursement. Most do, however the coverage is different for each the policy and provider.
Report your vehicle to the police immediately if not found. This will put your vehicle in the national and state databases which makes it more difficult for thieves to steal your car later. Additionally, you'll be able to submit a police report to the insurance company you have with your vehicle and have that added to your policy.
If you don't want your vehicle to be taken away keep your keys out of sight and lock your vehicle when it's not being used. You can also prevent theft by parking your vehicle in areas that are well-lit and keeping your key in your pocket.
4. Recover Your car
When you're certain your car has been stolen with keys inside, contact the police to file a complaint. This will be added to national and state databases, making it difficult read more for thieves to sell it. It is also recommended to get in touch with your insurance company as soon as you can to claim a stolen vehicle.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurer will replace your 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 determine how the value of your car is. 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 aid in locating your vehicle after it has been recovered.
It's crucial to act quickly after your car is stolen with keys inside, as delays can lead to your claim being denied or even investigated as fraud. In some instances an insurance agent could ask you questions under oath.
While your car is covered by comprehensive auto insurance, you might require a separate claim for any belongings that were taken from your vehicle. These items will likely be covered by homeowners or renters insurance, based on the location you kept them. If you have your auto and home insurance policies combined, you can usually make both claims simultaneously.
Always lock your car and remove the keys from it when you're not driving it. Keep your spare keys in a safe place away from your car. Never write your name or address on your keys to your car. Rather, pick parking spots that are well-lit, monitored and off-street as much as possible. Also, make sure that your car is safely parked and clearly visible, and is not blocking any driveways or mailboxes.