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

If you have comprehensive insurance on your vehicle it will protect your vehicle even if you leave the keys inside. It is important to act quickly.

The longer you put off longer, the more likely it is that your claim will be denied. Fortunately, rental reimbursement coverage is available.

Don't panic

It's a scary moment when you head out to your car only to realize that you're not able to find your keys. It can ruin your whole day, and it can also be really difficult. This is why it's important to remain at peace and remain sane. Make sure you've checked every place - in your pocket, bags and other places you could have placed them. Also, revisit your day. Maybe you dropped them somewhere, or reached in your pocket to retrieve your phone, but knocked out your keys.

Contact the police if cannot locate them. Notifying the police about the loss of your keys to your car to police immediately will assist in locating the keys and prevent someone from using the vehicle without your consent. It's also important to notify your insurance company about the theft of your car. They can then help you get a new set.

You should always examine your insurance policy to determine whether it covers your loss of your vehicle. The majority of policies cover a vehicle that has been taken with keys inside, however the conditions and terms vary. Certain companies do not cover personal belongings in the car. Make sure to check with your home insurance or renters insurer.

If your car is leased or financed, you should call the leasing or financing company as well. They will likely want to report the theft to the police, too. This will protect the owner from being held accountable for the vehicle if it is stolen. It could also accelerate the process to get the vehicle back.

Installing anti-theft gadgets on your vehicle can also discourage thieves. These could include an GPS tracker, a steering-wheel lock, or an alarm for your car. These devices typically cost a bit more to install, but they can save you money in the end by preventing the theft of your vehicle. It is important to keep your vehicle in good repair and not park it in dangerous areas.

Contact the police

If you can't find your car and you suspect it's been stolen, the first thing to do is contact the police. You will receive the crime reference number which is vital for tracking the progress of your investigation. This will assist you with your insurance claim in the future.

You'll need to provide a detailed description of the vehicle, including make/model and color and the license plate number. The VIN is located in your Proof of Insurance (this could either be a physical document on your phone or an app). Provide any additional details you have regarding the vehicle, including where you last saw it, and when, as well as any distinctive characteristics, such as large dents, custom-designed additions, or distinctive marks or scratches.

It is crucial to notify your insurer as soon you submit a police complaint. This will speed the process and could even shield you from unnecessary liability. If the person who stole your vehicle and causes an accident, you may be held liable based on the laws of your state and insurance coverage.

Keys stolen from cars with keys in them are on the rise, according to NICB data. In reality, a car is taken with keys in it every 32 seconds across the United States and this accounts for over $8 billion of losses each year.

The best way to prevent this is to always secure your car and never leave valuables in plain sight. Also, you should open your windows all the way and be sure to not leave the car running in the dark. This is especially true read more for keys that are in the car.

Another aspect to be aware of is that your renters or homeowner's insurance could cover the possessions that you have in your car in the event that they were covered under those policies. If, however, you had electronics in your vehicle, they likely wouldn't be covered under this type of policy.

It is also essential to keep an eye on your financial accounts with care if you have any personal documents in your vehicle like paycheck stubs and receipts. They could be used for identity theft, so you'll be required to notify your bank and other institutions as quickly as possible.

Get a spare key

The loss of your car keys was not a huge issue in the past. You could get them duplicated at a minimal cost from your local key maker. Many cars now have high-tech security measures that make it difficult to replace the key on the vehicle that has been stolen without contacting the automaker or dealer to seek assistance.

If you have a spare key the first thing you should do is to place it somewhere secure and easy to access when you're at home. For instance, you could keep it in your home in a specific drawer or in a key box by the door. You can also give a spare to a neighbour or a friend who you consider trustworthy.

Contact your dealership and inquire whether they can help you. The dealership will probably be able to disable the key fob, preventing it from being used to start your car. This is a simple procedure, but it will depend on the particular year and model of vehicle.

It is also possible to inquire with your insurance provider to inquire about comprehensive coverage, which covers items such as stolen cars with keys inside. This type of coverage is usually included in most auto policies, but it is recommended to look over your policy specifically for more details.

Another thing to do should your car be stolen with keys in it is to make a claim with the police. It is important to inform the lender that you own an unfinanced or leased vehicle. You may even be able to obtain an additional set of keys or a replacement for your lost ones through the insurance claim.

To prevent having your car taken away with keys in it in the future, you should always secure the doors of your vehicle, even when you're away for a few seconds. You should also consider putting in antitheft devices that make it harder for thieves to break into your vehicle. Examples of this include steering wheel locks as well as brake pedal locks. You can also install car alarms. You should also park in areas that are well-lit and secure and be sure to not leave valuables or the title of your vehicle inside.

Contact your insurance company

If you have filed a police report, you should contact your insurance company immediately. Most insurance companies have online systems that make the process easy and fast. Avoid delays and back-and forth by contacting your agent directly, instead of through the call center. Prepare to answer any questions. They will request information about your vehicle, including the year, model and year of the vehicle, the color and its license plate number and where and when it was stolen and any other relevant information. They will also ask whether the vehicle is equipped with additional features, such as the GPS system or other security measures.

If you have comprehensive insurance, your vehicle will be covered even if the keys are not left in the car. If, however, you only have liability insurance, the car will not be paid for. This is why you should always ensure that you have comprehensive coverage for your vehicle.

Typically, your car insurance will cover the cash value of the vehicle you have stolen that is the value that was in the market for the vehicle at the time of theft, less any applicable deductible. You will likely be required to provide an independent assessment of your car, so you must keep one in your file or search for it online.

After the claim is processed, you could be given a waiting time. This will vary from insurer to insurer. During this period the insurer will be searching for the vehicle. If it is, you will be compensated for the car (minus your deductible).

If you are fortunate, your vehicle will be recovered and returned to you within the time period. If it isn't the case, you will be refunded for the cash value of your stolen car (minus the deductible). You can use the funds to purchase a new vehicle should you choose to. Be aware, however that any claims you make on your policy could increase the cost of your insurance. If you're not sure if you should make a claim, speak with your insurance agent and get their opinion.