What to Do If Your Car Got Stolen With Keys in It
If you have comprehensive car insurance, you'll be covered even if forget your keys in your car. It is important to act promptly.
The longer you wait, the more likely it is that your claim will be rejected. Fortunately, rental reimbursement coverage is available.
Don't panic
When you're trying to get in your car and can't locate your keys, it's a terrifying moment. It can ruin your entire day, and it's also extremely difficult. It's important to remain calm and rational. Take a look in your bags, pockets and other places you may have placed them. Also, go back through your day - maybe you set them down somewhere or went inside your bag to retrieve your phone and knocked your keys out of there.
Contact the police if you cannot find them. Reporting the loss of keys to your car to police as soon as you can will assist them in finding the keys and hinder someone from using the vehicle without your consent. It's also important to notify your insurance company about the car theft. They will then assist you to find a replacement.
Always check your insurance policy to see if it covers the loss of your car. The majority of policies cover a car that has been stolen with keys inside, but the terms and conditions vary. Some companies don't cover personal belongings in the vehicle therefore you must check with your home or renters insurance company.
It is also advisable to contact the finance or leasing company if your vehicle is leased. They'll likely be required to report the theft to the police as well. This will protect them from being held accountable for the vehicle if it's stolen and could assist in speeding up the process of getting the vehicle returned.
Installing anti-theft devices in your vehicle can also deter thieves. These can include an GPS tracker, a steering wheel lock, or an alarm for your car. These devices typically cost a more to set up however, they can save you money in the end by preventing the theft of your vehicle. The most important thing is to keep your car in good condition and to not leave it parked in dangerous areas.
Contact the police
If you can't find your car and you suspect that it's gone missing the first thing to do is contact the police. They will give you the crime reference number that is vital in monitoring the progress of the investigation. This can also assist with your insurance claim later.
You will need to give an exact description of the vehicle, which includes the make/model and color along with the license plate number. The VIN can be found on your Proof of Insurance (this could either be a physical document that you can access on your phone or an app). Please provide any additional information you have regarding the vehicle, including where you last saw it and when, as well as any distinctive features, like a large dent or custom additions, or distinguishing marks or scratches.
After you've made a police complaint it is crucial to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. This will accelerate the process and protect you from excessive liability. If the thief drives your vehicle and causes an accident, you may be held responsible depending on the laws of your state and insurance coverage.
Car thefts with keys left in them are on the rise according to NICB data. Every 32 seconds, a vehicle with keys inside is robbed in the United States. This results in a loss of over $8 billion.
The best way to prevent this is to always secure your car and not leave valuables out in the open. It is also recommended to roll your windows up to the maximum, and avoid leaving the car running in the dark. This is particularly true when you have keys in the car.
If you have home or renters insurance, it could cover the items inside your car if they are covered under these policies. If you have electronic devices in your vehicle, this kind of insurance is unlikely to cover them.
You should also monitor your financial accounts if you keep personal documents like receipts and paycheck stubs in your vehicle. These might be used for identity theft, so you'll be required to notify your bank and other institutions as quickly as you can.
Get an extra key
Not long ago losing your car keys was not an issue. You could bring them to your local key maker and have them duplicated at an cheap cost. Many cars today have advanced security measures that make it difficult to duplicate the key of an unintentionally stolen vehicle without contacting the dealer or manufacturer for help.
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. It could be kept in a drawer in your home or in a box near the door. You could also give an extra to a neighbor or a friend who you trust.
Contact your dealer and ask if they can assist you. They'll likely be able to disable the stolen key fob so that it won't be able to start your vehicle. This is a simple process, but it depends on the particular model and year of your vehicle.
You might also want to contact your insurance company if you have comprehensive insurance, which covers things like stolen vehicles with keys in them. The majority of auto policies provide this type of coverage, but you should check your policy for specific information.
If your car was taken with keys inside, you must also file a police claim. It is important to inform the lender if you have an unfinanced or leased vehicle. You may even be able to obtain new keys or a replacement for your lost ones via the insurance claim.
Even if you are just taking a few seconds it is important to lock your vehicle's doors to ensure that it is not stolen in the future. You should consider installing antitheft devices inside your vehicle to make it harder for thieves to break into it. 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
It is important to contact your insurance company right away after you've filed the police report. The majority of insurance companies have online systems that make it easy and quick to complete the procedure. Try to contact your agent directly instead of a call center operator to avoid a back and forth process and delays in this time sensitive situation. Prepare to answer all questions. They will ask you to provide details regarding your car, such as the year, make and model, the color and its license plate number, as well as where and when it was taken and any other relevant details. They will also ask if the vehicle has any special features, like an GPS system or any other security measures.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your vehicle will be covered even if the keys are left in the car. However, if you only have liability insurance, the car is not covered. This is why you should always ensure that you have comprehensive coverage for your vehicle.
Typically, your insurance will cover the cash value of your vehicle that is the value that was in the market for the vehicle at the time of theft, minus any applicable deductible. You may be asked to submit an independent assessment of your car, so you must keep one in your file or look it up online.
Once the claim has been processed, you could be granted a waiting period. This will differ from insurer to insurer. During this period the insurer will be looking for the vehicle. You will receive a refund for the vehicle (minus any deductible).
If you're lucky enough, you may be in a position to get your car back within the waiting period. If it isn't, you'll get the actual cash value (minus the deductible) of the vehicle here you lost. You can use the funds to purchase a new vehicle in the event that you decide to. Remember that any claims you make on your insurance policy will increase the cost of your insurance. If you aren't sure whether or not you should make a claim, speak to your insurance representative and ask their advice.