Wisdom On Car Stolen With Keys From A Five-Year-Old
Wisdom On Car Stolen With Keys From A Five-Year-Old
Blog Article
Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
It might appear to be a bad idea to leave keys to your car in the ignition however, is insurance covered for vehicles that are stolen with keys inside? Generally, yes. There are some caveats.
First, make sure your vehicle is indeed missing before you file claims. The claim process starts with a police report and a detailed description of the vehicle.
1. Contact the police
With car thefts rising across the nation and Colorado ranking #1 for per capita thefts, it's essential to take precautionary measures to secure your vehicle and its contents. This includes locking your car and setting up an alarm and taking all keys and fobs out of the vehicle when not driving it. It's also recommended to store valuables in the vehicle or, better yet, take them completely from the car. However, even if you've taken precautionary measures, you may still be a victim of a crime that is a matter of opportunity. If your car is stolen and you have the key inside, follow these steps to report it to the police and to your insurance company.
You should contact the police right away after your vehicle has been reported stolen to make a formal report. The more details you provide to the police regarding your vehicle including its make and model and the license plate number, or VIN, the better the chance of it being returned to you. Also inform the police that your vehicle is fitted with the GPS device.
Once you've filed a police report, call your insurance company to inform them of the theft. Depending on the policies of your insurance company, you might be able do this by telephone or online. Provide your policy number, your car's model and make, any identifying information (like large dents or custom add-ons) and the date and location of the theft. Inform your agent if your vehicle is equipped with other technologies such as GPS tracking, that might assist in finding your car.
Make sure you give the police and your insurance company the exact information, as any discrepancies could delay the processing of your claim. Insurance companies may also use this information to decide whether or not to pay a claim if you owe a lot of money. This is the reason it's best to avoid leaving any personal documents or other information in your vehicle, such as credit cards, receipts and pay stubs. If you do leave this information in your vehicle, be sure to notify your bank, credit card company and other organizations of the theft so they can put a halt to any unauthorized charges and alert their security departments.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
It's no secret that vehicle theft is increasing. In fact thousands of cars are taken with the owner's keys inside each year. So, it's not only a case of bad luck; you can help prevent this from happening by putting more deterrents between your car and potential thieves.
Contact your insurance provider immediately following the theft. Your insurer will be able to provide you with a rental car 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 the details of your insurance policy. It is also recommended to file a police complaint with the name and number of the police officer who was involved in the investigation and the date and time.
Include all relevant details regarding your vehicle, including its make and model and a detailed description on the items that were taken. Be sure to include the name and number of any person who had access to the vehicle or any valuables that were in it. This will help police investigate and stop fraudulent attempts. You may also need to conduct a credit check. This is to make sure you don't carry a lot of debt which could create suspicions and make it difficult to get an equitable settlement for your vehicle.
Your insurance company can also provide you with the name and phone number of a representative who will assist you in the claim process. They will have a variety of ways you can reach them, from a telephone number to a chat method, so you can discuss the check here incident at any time.
While making a claim for insurance on your car with the police or your insurer is an inconvenience it is essential to do so as quickly as possible. This will not only ensure that your vehicle receives the attention it needs and deserves, but it also helps you avoid getting caught in a scam or being denied coverage because of an error that isn't too difficult to spot.
3. Claim your Benefits
Your insurer will want to be informed in the shortest time possible Therefore, ensure that you have everything organized. Include any photos and the location of your car before and after it's loss, and the contact details of anyone who had access to it. Your insurance company will require a precise description of your vehicle, including any upgrades and options you might have. Keep receipts.
You may need to submit two claims. One for the auto insurance policy and one for renters or homeowners to cover any personal belongings that were in the vehicle. If you have comprehensive coverage under your auto policy it should be able to cover the cost of replacing your property. The limits of your policy and your deductible will still apply.
Once your claim has been completed, your insurance company will either pay you back the actual cash value of the vehicle in the event that it's declared totaled, or pay out the full cost if your car is found and returned. You'll then be responsible for your deductible if you choose to repair the vehicle, which is often not feasible.
It could take up to 30 days or more for an insurance company to settle a stolen vehicle claim. It can be difficult to travel while you wait so be sure that your policy will cover rental reimbursement. Most do, however the coverage differs by the policy and the provider.
If your vehicle isn't found, it's important to report it to the police right away. This will be added to national and state databases which makes it more difficult for thieves later to sell your car. Additionally, you'll be able to make a police report with your auto insurance company and have that added to your policy.
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 it is not being used. You can also deter theft by parking your vehicle in areas that are well-lit and keeping your key in your car.
4. Recover Your Car
As soon as you're sure your car has been taken with keys inside, you should call the police to file a complaint. This will add the information about your vehicle to both federal and state databases making it more difficult for thieves to sell. It is also recommended to contact your insurer as soon as you can to make a claim for a stolen vehicle.
If you have comprehensive insurance, the company will replace your car with the exception of depreciation. The insurer will consider similar vehicles in your area, the mileage on the odometer as well as other factors to determine how the value of your vehicle is. But, you'll still have to pay a $500 deductible.
Your insurance company will also repair any damage caused while your car was stolen, even when the keys were inside. If you're using a tracker, it could help the police locate your car after it is recovered.
If your vehicle has been stolen and your keys were hidden inside, you must act immediately. If you delay, it could lead to your claim to be rejected or be investigated as fraud. In some instances an insurance agent may ask you questions under an oath.
You may need to file an a claim on any additional items that have been taken from your vehicle. Comprehensive auto insurance will cover your vehicle. These items are likely covered by homeowners or renters insurance, based on the location where they were stored. If you have your home and auto insurance policies together typically, you can file both claims simultaneously.
When you are not driving your car, always lock it and take out the keys. Keep your spare key in a safe place away from your vehicle. Never write your address or name on your car keys and choose parking spaces that are well-lit, monitored and off the street whenever possible. It is also important to ensure that your car is safely parked and clearly visible, and that it's not blocking mailboxes or driveways.