Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
It might seem like a negative thing to leave keys to your car in the ignition but is insurance coverage for stolen cars with keys inside them? Generally, yes. However there are a few cautions.
First, you must ensure that your vehicle is indeed missing before you file claims. Be aware that the claim process starts with a police investigation and an accurate description of the vehicle.
1. Call the Police
It is essential to adopt preventative measures to secure your car and its contents. Car theft is increasing across the country and Colorado ranks #1 in per capita thefts. 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 an excellent idea to lock valuables inside the vehicle or better yet, remove them completely from the car. Even if you take precautions however, you could be the victim of an opportunity-based crime. If your vehicle is taken and you have the key inside Follow these steps to report it to the police as well as your insurance company.
You should contact the police immediately after your vehicle is reported stolen and submit a police report. The more information you can provide to the police regarding your vehicle, including make and model, license plate number, VIN and other identifying characteristics, the better chance it will have of being returned to you. Inform the police if your vehicle is equipped with a GPS device.
After you've filed the police report, you need to contact your insurance company and inform them of the theft. Depending on the policies of your insurance company, you may be able do this by telephone or online. Please provide your policy number, the make and model of your car as well as any identifiable information (like large damage, custom modifications or custom additions, etc.) and the location and time of the theft. Tell your agent if your vehicle is equipped with any other technology like GPS tracking, which could help them locate your vehicle.
Don't forget to provide your insurance provider and the police the same information. Any discrepancies could delay the processing of your claims. Insurance companies may also utilize this information to decide whether or not to make claims when you owe a significant amount of money. It's best not to leave any personal documents or information in your vehicle like receipts for credit cards, numbers on credit cards and pay stubs. If you do leave this information in your car, be sure to notify your bank, credit card company and other organizations of the theft so they can stop any unauthorised charges and notify their security departments.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
Car theft is increasing. Every year, thousands cars with keys inside are taken. It's not just a matter of luck. You can do your part to prevent this from happening by putting more security measures in place between your car and potential thieves.
The first thing you need to do is contact your insurance company as soon as you can after the incident. You can request a car rental from your insurance company while you wait to retrieve your vehicle or get compensation in the event that you don't. They will provide you with the specifics of your policy as well as answer any questions. You must also file a police complaint with the name and contact number of the officer that was involved in the investigation and the time and date.
Include all pertinent information regarding your vehicle, such as the model and make of your vehicle, and an extensive description of the items that were taken. Make sure to include your name, number and any other details of anyone who may have had access to your vehicle or the valuables inside. This information will help police investigate the incident and identify people who may be attempting to commit fraud. It could be necessary to conduct a credit check in addition. This is to make sure you aren't in a significant amount of debt which could lead to website suspicions of fraud and make it harder to negotiate a satisfactory settlement for the car you stole.
You can also request the name and number of the representative from your insurance company to help you get through the claims process. They will have multiple ways to contact them, ranging from a phone number to a chat option and you can talk about the incident whenever you want.
While filing a claim for car insurance with the police and your insurer is an inconvenience, it's crucial to complete the process as fast as you can. This will not only ensure that your car gets the attention it deserves, but it can help you avoid getting victimized by a scam or being denied coverage due to an oversight.
3. File a Claim
Your insurer will want to know the full details in the shortest time possible, so ensure that everything is organized. This includes where your car was prior to and following the time it was taken away, any photos you might have, and contact details for anyone who had access to the vehicle. Your insurance company needs an exact description of your car including any upgrades and options. Also, keep receipts.
You may have to make two claims. One for your auto insurance policy, and the other for renters or homeowners to cover any personal belongings that were in the vehicle. If you have comprehensive coverage the auto insurance policy will be able to cover the cost of replacing your property. However, your policy's limits and deductible will apply.
After your claim has been completed, your insurance company will either pay you back the actual cash value of your car in the event that it's declared totaled, or pay the entire cost if your vehicle is found and returned. Then, you'll be responsible for the deductible if you choose to repair the vehicle, which is typically not feasible.
An insurer could take up to 30 days to resolve the claim for a vehicle that was stolen. In the meantime, it can be a challenge to navigate so make sure to check whether your policy covers rental reimbursement. Most do, however the coverage varies by the policy and the provider.
Report your car to the police immediately if it's not found. This will be added to the databases of both states and national which will make it difficult for thieves later to try to sell your vehicle. Additionally, you'll be able to make a police report with your insurance company for your car and have it added to your policy.
If you leave your keys in your car can cause a car to be stolen It's therefore recommended to keep them in a safe location and lock the vehicle when it is not in use. You can also try to avoid theft by parking in well-lit areas, taking your key with you at all times, and avoid putting valuables inside the car.
4. Recover Your Car
When you're certain your car was stolen 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 which makes it harder for thieves to steal it. Contact your insurance company immediately to report a stolen car.
If you have comprehensive coverage, your provider will reimburse you to replace your stolen vehicle minus depreciation. The insurance company will take into account comparable vehicles in your area, mileage on the odometer and other factors to determine how much your car is worth. However, you'll need to pay a $500 deductible.
In addition to paying to replace your vehicle, your insurance company will repair any damage that occurred while your vehicle was taken with the keys inside. If you have a tracker, it could help the police locate your vehicle after it has been recovered.
If your car has been taken with your keys inside, you should take action immediately. If you delay, it could lead to your claim to be denied or questioned as fraud. In some instances, an insurance representative may be able to ask you questions under oath.
While your car is covered by comprehensive auto insurance, you may need to file an individual claim for belongings that were stolen from your vehicle. These items will probably be covered by renters or homeowners insurance, based on where you stored them. However, if you have your home and auto insurance policies bundled, you can usually file both claims at the same time.
When you are not driving your vehicle, you must always lock it and remove the keys. Keep your spare keys in a safe place away from your car. Don't put your name or address on your car keys and pick parking spots that are well-lit, monitored and off-street as much as you can. Also, make sure that your car is safely parked and clearly visible, and not blocking any mailboxes or driveways.