If Your Car Was Stolen With Keys Inside, Follow the Police Process
As we approach "Puffing season" with the colder weather driving cars while keys are inside is a popular method of theft. It is advisable to report the police if your vehicle has been stolen and keys are in the car.
Insurance policies differ in coverage, but generally covers cars even if put the keys in. However, personal possessions are usually covered by renters or homeowners insurance, but not by car insurance.
Theft
Many thieves of cars will take a car with keys inside. It's a method that is effective: a driver becomes distracted, and the next thing they know is that their car is gone. It's a vicious cycle that has to be broken and the best way to do that is to make sure you keep your keys with you when you leave your car regardless of where you park.
Every 32 seconds, a car is taken away. The United States loses $8 billion in vehicle thefts each year. It is important not to leave the keys in your car unattended especially if you reside in a high-crime zone.
The thieves have become very clever at stealing vehicles that contain key fobs. This makes it even more important to take extra precautions. Thieves could use relay attacks or signal jamming device or other methods to hack into the computer system of a vehicle and reprogram the key fob to make it a new one. They can also use an instrument known as a "slim jim" to slip into the door's opening at the bottom of the window to alter the locking mechanism inside or linkage.
Another option is hotwiring, which involves removing the vehicle's ignition cable and using an electric current to start the engine. This is a method that is popular among teens who do not have a full-time job and want to earn an easy buck. However, it's also a method criminals can use stolen vehicles to enjoy joyride, or for other criminal acts.
Dealerships can secure themselves by utilizing vehicles tracking systems and performing regular audits of their key inventory and vehicle records to spot gaps and possible security breaches. They should also encourage drivers use a Faraday box or a signal-blocking pouch when they store their keys, as this can help stop relay attacks and hacking.
If you do leave your car running with the keys inside your insurance company will cover the loss in the event that you have Comprehensive coverage. Your insurer could conduct credit or other check prior to making a payment.
Damage
Leaving your car unlocked or running with the keys inside is a perfect way for it to get stolen. A car thief who is opportunistic can take off in a matter of seconds. If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurer may cover the theft. However some policies do not cover cars that have keys inside from being covered. If you're worried that your policy won't cover this, it could be worth switching auto insurance providers.
Certain states have specific laws that govern the manner in which a car owner is accountable for a car theft involving keys inside. It is essential to know the rules, since they differ from state the state. In the majority of cases, when an accident occurs while the thief is driving the car, the driver is not liable. The thief doesn't have insurance. The car owner also is not held liable for the items stolen from the vehicle, since they are typically covered by renters or homeowners insurance.
The prompt reporting of the theft to your insurance company as well as to the police is vital. This will make the process easier and increase your chances of reclaiming property. It is essential to be aware that multiple claims could impact your insurance rates. Be sure to discuss this with your insurance agent to determine the impact on your policy in the future.
If you wish to protect your car from being stolen when the keys are inside, make sure you lock it and shut the windows every time you leave. It is also a good idea to keep the spare key in a secure place and not inside the vehicle. If you are required to leave the vehicle running, be sure you place it in park and turn off the ignition prior to your leave.
In addition to avoiding the possibility of your car being stolen with the keys in, you should be extra careful not to leave valuables inside your vehicle like laptops and MP3 players. You could be able to make a separate claim if you have added non-permanent items to your car like a USB device plugged into the accessory port.
Insurance
Vehicle theft is a major expense for Americans $8 billion annually. Fortunately, most cars are covered by insurance policies if they are stolen. In some instances the insurance policy may not cover the cost of fixing or replacing your car. If you have keys locked in your car and they are stolen, that's one such situation. This is not a common scenario, but it does 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 the vehicle even if it is stolen and the keys are inside. However, the amount get more info that your insurance company will pay is contingent on the limits of your policy and the deductible.
If you only have liability insurance, your vehicle is more likely to be taken away if you leave the keys in the car. However, you'll only be compensated to a maximum of about $10,000. If you have comprehensive insurance on your car however, you'll be able to make a claim for the full value of your vehicle and the contents in it (minus your deductible).
There is a major caveat that comes with this situation: Insurance companies might view leaving your key in your car as a form of negligence. Many insurers expect their customers to take reasonable measures to safeguard their vehicles. This includes locking them when not in use and ensuring they are not running. If you reside in a location where car thefts are frequent and your insurance company may increase your premium.
Other ways to protect your vehicle from theft are installing an anti-theft device or other security features. You can also determine if you have property insurance in place. Both renters and homeowners insurance typically offer personal property protection, which can cover your possessions in the event that they are lost or stolen within or off the premises. If you have a bundle of your property and auto insurance policies it is possible to combine both claims to save time and money.
Recovery
The best method to ensure that your car is recovered after being taken with keys inside is to follow the police process. Report the theft to the local police department. Make sure you give them all the information they need about the car including the VIN license plate, year the year, model, make, where it was taken and any unique characteristics.
After filing a police report the police, they'll begin looking for your car. They will use various methods to locate it, such as interviewing witnesses, analyzing physical evidence and reviewing surveillance footage. During this process, it's essential to be patient and continue to check in with police frequently for updates.
If your car is recovered and it needs to be inspected, an insurance claims adjuster will need to do so to determine the condition of the car. If your car is in a driving condition and the damage occurred while it was not your control, your comprehensive coverage will compensate you for it. The amount you receive depends on the current market value of your car, the deductible of your auto insurance policy and any additional coverages that you might have, like renters or homeowners.
Another step that might vary depending on the instructions of the police or your insurance company is to inform your state's Department of Motor Vehicles about the vehicle that was stolen. This will add the information of your vehicle to a nationwide database for stolen vehicles. This will make it difficult for criminals in the future to register or sell the vehicle that was stolen illegally.
Contact the bank to freeze any credit or debit card that is found in your vehicle that has been stolen. This will help prevent identity theft and fraudulent charges. If you have renters or homeowners insurance, it's a good idea to report the theft to your insurance company, as items in your vehicle are usually covered under these policies. You may be able combine your claims from both policies in some cases to receive a higher amount of compensation for the stolen items.