Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
The idea of putting your car keys in the ignition could seem like a bad idea, but does insurance cover cars that are stolen with keys in them? Generally, yes. However there are some cautions.
Before you file an insurance claim, you must first confirm that your vehicle is actually missing. The claim process starts with a police statement along with a detailed description of the vehicle.
1. Call the Police
It's important to adopt preventative measures to secure your car and its contents. Car theft is on the rise all over the world and Colorado is ranked first in per capita thefts. This includes locking your car and setting up an alert and removing all keys and fobs from the vehicle when not driving. It's also a good idea to hide valuables in the vehicle, or better yet, remove them completely from the car. Even if you've taken precautions however, you could be the victim of an opportunity-based crime. If you have a key inside of your vehicle that's stolen and you want to report it, here are the steps to take to report the theft to police and your insurance company.
If your vehicle is reported stolen, call the police to submit a theft report. The more details you provide to the police regarding your vehicle like its model and make, as well as license plate number or VIN, the greater chances that it will be returned to you. Inform the police if your vehicle is equipped with a GPS device.
After you've filed the police report, call your insurance company and inform them of theft. Depending on the policies of your insurance company, you may be able to do this via phone or via the internet. Please provide your policy number, the name of your insurance company, the make and model of the car as well as any identifiable information (like large dents, custom additions or custom additions, etc.) and the location and time of the theft. Inform your agent if your vehicle is equipped with other technologies such as GPS tracking, that might help them locate your vehicle.
Don't forget to provide your insurance company and the police the exact same information. Any discrepancies could hinder the process of processing your claims. The insurance company could also utilize this information to decide whether or not to pay claims in the event that you owe a large amount of money. This is the reason it's best to keep all personal documents or other information in your vehicle, such as receipts for credit cards, receipts for purchases and pay stubs. If you do leave such information in your vehicle, be sure to notify your bank, credit card companies and other companies of the theft, so they can put a halt to any unauthorised charges and notify their security departments.
2. Contact Your Insurer
It's no secret that car theft is on the rise. In reality thousands of vehicles are stolen with the owner's keys inside each year. It's not just luck. You can reduce this type of crime by adding additional protections to your vehicle.
Contact your insurance company right away after the theft. You can request a car rental from your insurance company while you wait for the return of your vehicle, or receive compensation if you don't. They can answer all your questions and provide you with the specifics of your insurance policy. It's also crucial to submit a police report that includes the name and number of the officer who investigated the incident, as well as the time and date of the theft.
Include all relevant details regarding your vehicle, including its model and make, as well as an extensive description of the items that were taken. Also, remember to include the name and phone number of any person who had access to the vehicle, or any valuables inside it. This information can help police investigate the claim and rule out people who may be attempting to commit fraud. You may also want to run a credit report. This is to make sure you don't carry a lot of debt that may raise suspicions and make it more difficult to get an equitable settlement for your car.
Your insurance company will provide you with the name and phone number of a representative who can assist you through the claims process. You can reach them in various ways, such as by phone or online chat.
It may be an inconvenience to file a claim for car insurance with your insurer as well as the police, but it's crucial to file it as soon as you can. It's important to submit a claim as fast as possible. Not only will it ensure that your vehicle gets the attention it deserves and you'll avoid being a victim of scams and having coverage denied due to an error that is simple.
3. Claim your Benefits
You'll need to provide all the information as soon as you can. Include any photographs as well as the location of your car before and after the 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 may have. If you have receipts, these are also important.
You may be required to file two claims for insurance: an auto claim for the car itself, and a homeowner 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. Your policy's limits and your deductible will remain in effect.
Once your claim is accepted and your insurance company is notified, they will either pay you the actual cash value of the car if the car is to be totaled, or pay the full cost in the event that the vehicle was recovered and returned. You'll then be responsible for the 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. In the meantime it can be a challenge to navigate so make sure to check whether your policy covers rental reimbursement. Most do, but coverage varies by provider and policy.
Inform the police immediately if not found. This will place your vehicle in databases of the state and national levels which makes it much more difficult for thieves to steal your car later. You can also add a police report to your auto insurance policy by submitting it to your insurer.
If you don't want your vehicle to be stolen Keep your keys away from view and secure your vehicle when it is not in use. You can also stop theft by parking website your car in well-lit areas and keeping your keys in your car.
4. Recover Your car
As soon as you are certain that your vehicle was taken with keys inside, call the police and file a report. This will add your vehicle's details to state and national databases, making it difficult for thieves to steal it. It is also recommended to get in touch with your insurance company as quickly as you can to file a stolen vehicle claim.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your provider will cover the cost of replacing your stolen vehicle minus depreciation. The insurer will consider the value of your car by weighing in factors such as similar vehicles in your region and the mileage on your odometer, and other aspects. However, you'll need to pay a $500 deductible.
Your insurance company will repair any damage that was caused when your vehicle was stolen, even the keys were inside. If you're using an electronic tracker, it can help the police locate your car after it is recovered.
It is crucial to act swiftly when your car is stolen with the keys inside because delays could result in your claim being denied or even referred to as fraud. In certain cases, you may be required to attend an examination under oath, where you're asked questions by a representative from your insurance company under the oath.
While your car is covered by comprehensive auto insurance, you could need to file an individual claim for items that were stolen from your vehicle. These items will probably be covered by homeowners or renters insurance, based on where they were stored. However, if you have both your home and auto insurance policies combined and you want to file both claims simultaneously.
If you're not in your vehicle, make sure you lock it and remove the keys. If you have a spare key, keep it in a safe place away from your car. Never write your address or name on your keys to your car. Rather, select parking spaces that are well-lit, supervised and off-street whenever possible. Also, make sure that your car is securely parked and visible, and is not blocking any driveways or mailboxes.