Does Insurance Cover Cars Stolen With Keys Inside?
The idea of putting your car keys in the ignition could appear to be a bad idea but is insurance coverage available for cars stolen with keys inside? Generally, yes. However there are some cautions.
Before you file a claim, first verify that your car is missing. The claim process starts with a police statement along with a detailed description of the vehicle.
1. Call the police
With car theft spiking nationwide and Colorado being ranked first in per capita thefts, it's important to take precautionary measures to secure your vehicle and its contents. This includes locking your car and setting up an alarm, and taking all keys or fobs out of the vehicle when you're not driving it. It's a good idea to store valuables in the vehicle, or better yet to remove the vehicle altogether. However, even having taken preventive steps, you might be the victim of a crime that is a matter of opportunity. If you have a key in the interior of your vehicle and it's stolen, here are the steps you need to take to report the theft to the police and your insurer.
You should notify the police immediately after your vehicle is reported stolen in order to make a formal report. The more details you can give the police about your vehicle, including model and make, as well as the license plate number, VIN number and other identifying characteristics, the better chances of being returned to you. Also, inform the police if your vehicle is equipped with the GPS device.
Once you've filed a police report, call your insurance company to inform them of the theft. You should be able to do this over the phone or online, depending on your insurance company's policies. Input your policy number, the vehicle's make and model, any identifiable details (like large damage or custom-made add-ons) as well as the date and location of the loss. Tell your agent if your vehicle has any other technology such as GPS tracking, which could assist in finding your vehicle.
Don't forget to give your insurance provider and the police with the same information. Any discrepancies can delay the processing of your claims. If you're in significant debt, the insurance company can use this information to determine whether to pay your claim or not. This is why it's advisable to avoid leaving any personal documents or information in your vehicle, including receipts, credit cards and pay stubs. If you do leave such information in your car, be sure to notify your bank, credit card company and other companies of the theft so they can stop any charges that are not authorized and alert their security departments.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
It's no secret that car theft is on the rise. In fact, thousands of cars are stolen with owners' keys inside each year. It's not just luck. You can help prevent this crime by putting in more deterrents to your car.
Contact your insurance company immediately after the theft. Your insurance provider will provide you with a rental vehicle while you wait for your vehicle to be recovered or compensate you if it's not. They will provide you with the details of your policy and answer any questions. You should also submit a police report with the name and number of the officer who was involved in the investigation and the date and time.
Include all relevant information regarding your vehicle, including its make and model and an in-depth description of the items stolen. Be sure to include your name, number and any other information about anyone who may have had access to your vehicle or valuables inside. This information will assist police investigate the claims and eliminate more info people trying to commit fraud. You may also want to conduct a credit check. This is to ensure that you are not in significant debt which could lead to suspicions of fraud and make it harder to negotiate an acceptable settlement for the car you stole.
Your insurance company can also provide you with the name and number of a representative who will help you navigate the claim process. You can reach them via a variety of ways, including by phone or via online chat.
It could be a hassle to submit a claim for your car insurance with your insurance company and the police, but it is crucial to file it as soon as possible. It's crucial to make a claim as quickly as you can. Not only will it ensure that your vehicle gets the attention it deserves, but you can avoid being caught in a scam and having coverage denied due to an error that is simple.
3. File a Claim
Your insurer will want to be informed as soon as they can, so make sure you have everything put in order. This includes where your car was prior to and after it was stolen, any photos you may have, and the contact information of everyone who was able to access the vehicle. The insurance company will require an exact description of your car including any upgrades and options. If you have receipts for your purchase, these are also important.
You could be required to make two claims one claim for auto insurance for the vehicle itself and a homeowner or renters insurance claim for personal belongings that were in the car. If you have comprehensive coverage under your auto policy, it should cover the cost to replace your property. Your policy's limits as well as your deductible are still in place.
Once your claim has been processed and your insurance company is notified, they will either pay you back the actual cash value of the vehicle, if the vehicle is deemed totaled, or cover the entire amount in the event that the car was found and then returned. Then, you'll be responsible for the deductible if you decide to repair the vehicle, which is typically not feasible.
An insurance company could take up 30 to 60 days to settle an insurance claim for a car that has been stolen. While you wait for the settlement, it may be difficult to get around, so check to see whether your policy covers rental reimbursement. Most do, though coverage is contingent on the policy and provider.
Report your car to the police immediately if it's not found. This will add your vehicle to national and state databases which will make it difficult for thieves later to sell your car. In addition you'll be able to make a police report with your auto insurance company and have that added to your policy.
Leaving 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 your vehicle when not being used. You can also stop theft by parking your car in areas that are well-lit and keeping your key in your car.
4. Recover Your Car
When you're certain your car has been stolen with keys inside, call the police to file a report. This will add the information about your vehicle to state and federal databases, making it more difficult for thieves to sell. Contact your insurance company immediately to report a vehicle that has been stolen.
If you have comprehensive insurance the insurer will pay to replace your stolen vehicle minus depreciation. The insurer will consider similar vehicles in your area, mileage on the odometer as well as other factors to determine how the value of your car is. However, you'll need to pay a $500 deductible.
In addition to the cost to replace your vehicle, your insurance company will repair any damage that occurred while your vehicle was stolen with keys inside. If you have an electronic device that tracks your vehicle that tracks your vehicle, it could assist police find your car once it's found.
If your car was stolen with your keys inside, you should act immediately. In the event of delay, your claim to be rejected or be investigated as fraud. In some cases, an insurance representative may be able to ask you questions under an oath.
You may need to file an another claim for any items that have been taken from your vehicle. Comprehensive auto insurance will protect your car. These items are usually covered by homeowners or renters insurance, depending on the location in which they were stored. However, if you have both your home and auto insurance policies combined and you want to submit both claims simultaneously.
Always lock your car and remove keys when you're not driving it. Keep your spare keys in a secure place away from your vehicle. Never put your name or address on your keys to your car. Rather, choose parking spaces that are well-lit, supervised and off-street as much as possible. Also, make sure your car is parked in a secure, well-lit spot and that you're not blocking mailboxes or driveways.
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