If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have comprehensive insurance, your car will be covered even if the keys are still in the car. However the insurance company will conduct a fraud investigation to see whether you were negligent in causing the theft.
It is recommended to make a claim as soon as you can after you discover that your vehicle was stolen. If you delay, it could result in your insurance claim being rejected or being subject to a fraud investigation.
1. Don't panic!
If your vehicle has been stolen and keys were found in it the most important thing is to remain calm and avoid make a mistake which will only add to the situation. The first thing you need to do is call the police. Once you have contacted the police, give them as much detail about the vehicle as you can, including the model, make and license plate number. You will also want to inform them if you had any valuables in the vehicle, like laptops, identification badges for work or other personal items.
The police can provide you with the most accurate information about your stolen vehicle, and what they plan to do next. They may be able locate your vehicle or arrest the thieves.
Many people do not lock their cars or close the windows, especially when they are in hurry or have children with them. Although it might seem like a silly error to make but it's actually quite easy to make and often results in tragic consequences. In these instances, thieves will just climb into the driver's seat as if they owned it and drive away. If nobody knows it's not owned by the owner, thieves can travel for a long time before being stopped by police.
A common mistake is to leave an ignition key on your person. This could be extremely dangerous because it makes it easier for the vehicle to start and escape with. This is usually the case when people go into an establishment to buy something or leave the car running while they are in there. Other mistakes that are common include running the car as it is warming up, or rushing to a gas station in order to pay for fuel.
Keeping these mistakes in mind, it is essential to take proactive steps to prevent them from happening in the future. This can be done in a number of ways, from installing an alert system to parking in well-lit areas. Additionally, some automakers offer security features that deter thieves or prevent them from beginning the car. These features be anything from a sounded alarm to more sophisticated GPS-based devices that track the vehicle.
2. Contact the police
It is your responsibility as a vehicle owner to report any attempted or real theft. Your police department can help you by giving you details on what to do next. They can also offer you tips on how you can protect your vehicle in future, like installing a wheellock. Additionally, they can provide you with a crime reference number that will assist you in contacting your insurance company.
It is essential to provide as many details as you can when reporting the theft of a vehicle. Be sure that the information you provide to the police and your insurance company is identical. This increases the chance of your car being returned or recovered.
The kind of information you need to be prepared to provide includes your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number as well as the year, year, model and model as well as any other distinctive features. If your vehicle has an GPS tracking device or any other technology to prevent theft, be sure to include that information as well.
Another piece of crucial information is the personal belongings that were in the vehicle at the time of the theft. This could be an item like a purse, wallet or any other item that could contain personal information. It is important to inform the credit card companies, your bank, and any other company that may be involved if the item is stolen from your car.
You should also contact your homeowners or renters insurance in the event that any of your personal possessions were taken. This is because this type of possession is typically covered under the personal property section of these policies. However, auto insurance only covers damages to your vehicle.
There is no way to stop an auto burglary, but you can lower the risk by removing valuables from your car, locking the doors, and rolling up the windows at all times. It's also crucial to keep a spare set keys somewhere other than in your vehicle, and to check your insurance policy annually to ensure you have enough coverage.
If you have comprehensive coverage your insurance provider will pay for the loss of your vehicle with the exception of any deductible applicable. Liability insurance does not cover theft of cars, so be sure you have comprehensive coverage prior to lending your car to anyone.
3. Don't Try to Search for Your Vehicle Alone
You have a duty as an owner of a vehicle to safeguard your vehicle. It is crucial to secure your vehicle even when you're not there. It is also important to lock your vehicle every when you leave it and then roll up the windows completely. It's also a good idea not to keep spare keys in your car or anywhere other place where criminals could get the keys.
One of the most frequent reasons for car thefts is the fact that people forget to leave an extra key in the vicinity or in the vehicle. This is a common mistake that can have serious implications particularly in the present day.
Modern thieves have advanced beyond the traditional hotwiring methods you'd observe in a action film and are employing more sophisticated methods to rob vehicles. This is a type of attack known as relay attacks that is get more info when two thieves collaborate to utilize an electronic device to capture the signal from the owner's key fob. They then unlock the car and take it away.
The good news is that police are starting to get more effective technology to catch thieves who try to steal cars with keys in them. For instance, some companies are now offering the option of installing a tracking system on your vehicle which will report its location to the police. This could reduce the number and likelihood of theft.
In addition to a device for tracking it is also possible to consider installing an immobilizer inside your vehicle to stop it from being started. This will make it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle. You can also find out who attempted to start your vehicle by contacting the police.
If you do decide to locate the vehicle that was stolen, you should never attempt to search it on your own. This can lead to more damage and possibly the theft of personal belongings from your vehicle. Instead, you should contact your insurance company as quickly as possible and inform them that your car has been taken with keys inside. Also, inform them about any personal items inside the car at the time of the theft, such as mail or a purse that contains credit cards, cash or an office badge, or any other forms of identification.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have comprehensive auto insurance (which covers a range of incidents including theft) it is important to contact your insurer as quickly as you can to make an insurance claim. This will assist them in getting started with the investigation and ensure that you are covered in the event of your car is lost or damaged.
You must provide your insurance with as much information about your vehicle as you are able to remember, including the year, make, and model as well as the license plate number as well as the VIN (vehicle ID number), and where you last saw it. You can also include details about the date and time of the theft, as well as if it rained or snowed. If you are unsure of any of this information it is possible to ask the police to search their records for the information you need.
In some cases it is necessary to report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles as well. This will help prevent the criminal from using your vehicle in any manner that can violate the law or cause damage to another' property.
You'll need the police report to be on hand when you contact your insurance company to start the investigation. Also, you must be prepared to provide any other details required by your insurance agent.
You could be able to claim any personal belongings that were taken from your vehicle by your homeowners ' or renters' insurance, depending on the area you reside in. In addition, you must notify your leasing or finance company that the vehicle was reported as stolen.
It is important to remain calm and act quickly even in an emergency. These tips will help you achieve this goal and could help you get your car back safe and sound. If you have to make a claim on the car that was stolen with keys in it, the best thing to do is consult an independent insurance agent who can guide you through the process and find you discounts to make the experience as smooth as possible.