Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
It may seem like a bad thing to put your car keys in the ignition however, is insurance covered for stolen cars with keys inside them? Generally, yes. However there are some cautions.
Before you file an insurance claim, make sure you verify that your car is indeed missing. The claim process begins with a police statement and a thorough description of the vehicle.
1. Contact the police
With car thefts increasing across the country and Colorado being the top state for per capita thefts, it's important to take preventive measures to secure your vehicle and its contents. This means locking your vehicle by setting up an alarm, and taking all keys or fobs out of the vehicle when not driving it. It's also a good idea to hide valuables in the vehicle, or better, remove the car altogether. Even having taken preventive measures, you may still be the victim of a crime of chance. If you have a key in the interior of your vehicle when it's stolen, here are the steps to follow to report the theft to the police and your insurance company.
When your vehicle is reported stolen, contact the police immediately to submit an official theft report. The more details you provide to the police about your car, such as its make and model and the license plate number, or VIN, the greater chances of it being returned to you. Let the police know whether your vehicle has a GPS device.
After you've filed a report, call your insurance company to notify them of the theft. Based on the policies of your insurance company, you may be able do this by telephone or online. Provide your policy number, the vehicle's model and make, any identifying details (like large damage or custom-made add-ons) as well as the date and location of the theft. Let your insurance agent know if you have any other technology in your vehicle, such as a GPS tracking system, which could assist in locating it.
Don't forget to give your insurance company and the police the exact same information. Any discrepancies could delay the process of processing your claims. In addition, if you are in substantial debt, the insurance company will use this information to determine whether to pay your claim or not. This is why it's best to avoid leaving any personal documents or information in your vehicle, like credit cards, receipts and pay stubs. If you do decide to leave such details in your vehicle contact your bank, your credit card company, and all other organizations regarding the theft. This will enable them to block any unauthorized charges and also alert their security department.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
It's not a secret that car theft is on the rise. Every year, thousands of vehicles with keys inside are stolen. It's not just luck. You can help prevent this type of crime by adding additional security measures to your vehicle.
The first thing to do is contact your insurance provider as soon as possible after the theft occurs. Your insurer can provide you with a rental vehicle while you wait for your vehicle to be returned or compensate you in the event that it doesn't. They will be able to answer all of your questions and provide you with the details of your insurance policy. It is also recommended to make a police complaint containing the name and contact number of the officer who was involved in the investigation and the date and time.
Make sure you include all the relevant details of your vehicle, including its make and model as well as a thorough description of the items taken. Make sure to include your name number, address and any other details about anyone who might have had access to your vehicle, or valuables inside. This will help police in their investigation and stop fraud attempts. It is possible to conduct a credit check in addition. This is to make sure you don't have a lot of debt that may raise suspicions and make it more difficult to negotiate a fair settlement for your car.
Your insurance company will provide you with the name and number of a representative who can help you navigate the claims process. You can reach them in many ways, such as by telephone or via chat online.
It may be an inconvenience to submit a claim for your car insurance with your insurer and the police, but it's important to do so as soon as possible. It's not just about making sure your car receives the attention it deserves, but it can help you avoid being victimized by a scam or being denied coverage because of an error that isn't too difficult to spot.
3. Claim your Benefits
Your insurance company will want to know the full details in the shortest time possible, so ensure that you have everything put in order. This includes where your car was before and after it was taken away, any photos you might have, as well as the contact information of everyone who had access to the vehicle. Your insurance company will require a precise description of your vehicle including any options and upgrades you might have. If you have receipts, they are essential as well.
You may have to submit two claims one claim for auto insurance for the vehicle itself and a homeowners or renters insurance claim for any personal belongings inside the car. If you have a comprehensive coverage on your auto policy, it should be able to cover the cost of replacing your property. The limits of your policy and your deductible will remain in effect.
Once your claim is completed, your insurance company will either pay you back the cash value of the vehicle if the car has been deemed to be totaled, or pay the full cost in the event that the car was found and returned. If you decide to repair your car, which isn't always feasible, your insurer will charge you for the deductible.
It can take up to 30 days for an insurer 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. Most do, but coverage varies by the policy and the provider.
Report your vehicle to the police immediately if not found. This will put your vehicle in the national and state databases which read more makes it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle later. In addition you'll be able file a police report with the insurance company you have with your vehicle and have that added to your policy.
If you don't want your vehicle to be stolen, keep your keys away from view and lock your vehicle when it's not being used. You can also deter theft by parking your vehicle in well-lit areas and keeping your key in your pocket.
4. Recover Your car
When you are certain that your car was taken with keys inside, contact the police and file a report. This will add the information about your vehicle to state and federal databases, making it more difficult for thieves to sell. It is also recommended to get in touch with your insurance company as soon as you can in order to file a stolen vehicle claim.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your provider will replace the vehicle you lost minus depreciation. The insurer will consider comparable vehicles in your region, mileage on the odometer, and other factors to determine how the value of your car is. You'll still have to pay a $500 deductable.
Your insurance company will repair any damage that occurred while your vehicle was stolen, even when the keys were inside. If you're using a device to track your car, this could help police locate your vehicle after it's found.
It's crucial to act quickly after your car is taken with the keys inside because delays could result in your claim being denied or even being investigated as fraud. In certain instances you might be required to attend an examination under oath, where you're asked questions by a representative from your insurance company under oath.
You may need to file an another claim for any items you have stolen from your vehicle. Comprehensive auto insurance will protect your vehicle. These items will likely be covered by renters or homeowners insurance, based on where they were stored. If you have both your homeowners and auto insurance policies bundled together, you can make both claims at the same time.
Always secure your vehicle and remove the keys from it when not driving it. Keep the spare key in a secure place away from your car. Do not write your name or address on your keys. Pick parking spots that are well-lit and controlled, and, if you can, you can park off-street. You should also ensure that your car is safely parked and clearly visible, and is not blocking any mailboxes or driveways.