What to Do If Your Car Got Stolen With Keys in It

If you have insurance that is comprehensive for your vehicle, it will cover your vehicle even if it's not yours to leave the keys inside. It's important to take action quickly.

The longer it takes, the more likely your claim will be rejected or subjected to a fraud investigation. Rental reimbursement coverage is available.

Don't panic

If you're trying to enter your car and can't locate your keys, it's an incredibly stressful moment. It can ruin your day, and can be extremely annoying. It is essential to be calm and rational. Take a look in your bags, pockets and other places you may have put them. Also, go back through your day - perhaps you put them down in a place or reached inside your bag to retrieve your phone, and then smashed your keys out of there.

Call the police if you can't locate them. It's essential to notify the police of the loss of your car keys as soon as you can in order to help the police find the keys and hinder someone from using your vehicle without your consent. Informing your insurance company of the theft of your car is important. They will then assist you to obtain a new set.

Always check your insurance policy to determine if it covers the loss of your car. Most policies cover a car that is stolen with keys inside however the terms and conditions differ. Certain companies do not cover personal belongings in the car. Check with your home insurance or renters the insurance company.

It is also advisable to contact the leasing or financing company if your car is being leased. They'll likely want to report the theft to the police as well. This will help them avoid being liable for the car in the event of theft and can help speed up the process of getting the vehicle back.

You should also think about installing anti-theft equipment in your vehicle to deter thieves. This could include a steering wheel lock or car alarm, or even a GPS tracker. These are more expensive to set up, but will save you money by protecting you from theft. It is important to keep your vehicle in good working order and not park it in a dangerous area.

Call the police

Contact the police if you cannot find your car but are aware that it was stolen. They will give you a crime reference number which is vital in tracking the progress of the investigation. This will aid you in your insurance claim in the future.

You will need to give an exact description of the vehicle, including model and make along with the license plate number. The VIN can be found in your Proof of Insurance (this could be a paper document on your phone or an application). Provide any additional details you have regarding the vehicle, including when you last saw it, and when, as well as any distinctive characteristics, such as a large dent or custom additions, or distinguishing marks or scratches.

If you've filed a police report it is crucial to notify your insurance company as quickly as possible. This will speed up the process and might even protect you from undue liability. This is because, if the thief causes an accident while driving your vehicle and you are accountable based on the laws of your state and insurance coverage.

Car thefts with keys left in them are on the rise, according to NICB data. In fact, a car is stolen with keys in it every 32 seconds across the United States and this accounts for more than $8 billion of losses each year.

It is recommended to secure your vehicle at all times, and to not leave valuables out in the open. You should also close the windows completely and make sure you don't leave your vehicle running unattended, especially with keys inside.

If you have renters or home insurance, it might cover the items inside your car if they're covered under these policies. However, if you included electronics in your vehicle the chances are they won't be covered under this type of policy.

You should also keep an eye on your financial accounts, especially if you keep personal documents, such as receipts and paycheck stubs inside your vehicle. It is essential to notify your bank immediately.

Get a spare key

Losing your car keys was not a big issue in the past. You could go to a local locksmith and have them duplicated at an inexpensive price. Many cars now have high-tech security measures that make it difficult to replace the key of an unintentionally stolen vehicle without asking the dealer or manufacturer to seek assistance.

If you have an additional key, it is best to keep it in a location that is secure and easily accessible when you are at home. You could keep it in a drawer within your home or put it in a container near the door. Or, you might give an extra key to a neighbor or friend who you are confident in.

If you have a spare key, the next step is to contact your dealership to inquire whether they can assist. They'll probably be able to disable the stolen key fob so that it won't be able to start your car. It's a simple procedure, however it will depend on the model and year of the vehicle.

You might also want to contact your insurance company for comprehensive coverage, which covers things like stolen cars with keys in them. This type of cover is typically covered in the majority of auto policies, but it's best to check the specific policy for more information.

If your car was stolen with the keys inside, you should also file a police claim. This is particularly important when your vehicle is being financed or leased, as the lender must be informed of the incident. Insurance claims can even assist you in getting a new key or replace the one you lost.

Even if you are just stepping out for only a few minutes it is important to close the doors of your car to prevent it from being stolen in the future. You should also consider putting in antitheft devices that make it more difficult for thieves to break into your vehicle. Some examples of these include steering wheel locks, brake pedal locks and car alarms. You should also park in secure and well-lit areas and be sure to not leave valuables or the title of your car inside.

Contact your insurance company

After you've filed a police report You should call your insurance company immediately. Most insurance companies offer online services that make it simple and quick to complete the process. Avoid delays and back-and-forth by contacting your agent directly, instead of through a call center. Be prepared to answer any questions they have. You will be asked to provide specific information about your vehicle, such as the year color, model license plate number, color and the make and model. They may be looking for additional information such as the location and date of the theft. They will also ask if the vehicle has any extra features, like the GPS system or other security measures.

If you have comprehensive insurance, your car will be covered even if keys are not left in the car. If you only have liability insurance, the car won't be protected. This is the reason that you should always have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle.

Your car insurance policy will typically cover the actual cash worth of your stolen vehicle. This is the market value at the moment of the theft, less any deductible that is applicable. You will most likely be asked to submit a third-party assessment of your car and keep it on file or search for one online.

Once the claim is processed and the claim is approved, you will be granted a waiting period, which will vary by insurer. During this time your insurance company will be searching for the vehicle to be recovered. You will receive a refund for the vehicle (minus any deductible).

If you are fortunate, your vehicle will be located and returned to you within the time period. If not, you'll receive the cash value (minus your deductible) of the vehicle that was stolen. You can use the money to purchase a new vehicle more info in the event that you decide to. Remember that any claims you make on your insurance policy will increase the cost of your insurance. Talk to your agent if you're not certain whether or not you should file an claim.