10 Car Got Stolen With Keys In It Hacks All Experts Recommend
What to Do If Your Car Got Stolen With Keys in ItIf you have comprehensive car insurance, you'll be covered even if forget the keys in your car. It is important to act immediately.
The longer it takes the more likely it is that your claim will be rejected or subject to fraud investigation. Fortunately, rental reimbursement insurance is available.
Don't panic
When you're trying to get in your car and can't locate your keys, it's a frightening moment. It can make your day miserable and be a source of frustration. This is why it's crucial to stay in a calm state and think rationally. Take a look in your bags, pockets and other places you may have put them. It is also advisable to go back and review your day. Perhaps you dropped them somewhere, or reached into your pocket to grab your phone, only to knock out your keys.
Contact the police if are unable to find them. Notifying the police about the loss of your car keys to the police immediately will help them find them, and could stop anyone from using the vehicle without your consent. Notifying your insurance company of the theft of your vehicle is important. They can then help you find a replacement.
Always examine your insurance policy to determine if it covers the loss of your car. The majority of policies cover a vehicle that has been stolen with the keys inside, but the terms and conditions vary. Some companies do not cover personal belongings in the car. Make sure to check with your home insurance or renters the insurance company.
You should also contact the leasing or financing company if the car is being leased. They will likely want to report the theft to the police as well. This will protect them from being liable for the car if it's stolen, and it may also aid in speeding the process of obtaining the vehicle back.
You should also think about installing anti-theft devices in your vehicle to discourage thieves. These could include the use of a GPS tracker, a steering wheel lock or an alarm for your car. These devices will usually cost a little more to install, but they can save you money in the long run by preventing the theft of your vehicle. It is essential to keep your vehicle in good working order and not park it in a dangerous area.
Contact the police
Call the police if you can't locate your vehicle, but you know it's been stolen. They will provide you with an identification number for the crime that is essential in keeping track of the progress of the investigation. This will aid you in your insurance claim in the future.
You'll need to provide an exact description of the vehicle, which includes the model and make as well as the license plate number. The VIN can be found in your Proof of Insurance (this could be a paper document that you can access on your phone or an application). If you have any other information about where and when you last saw it such as distinctive features like large dents, custom-designed accessories or distinctive scratches and marks, you must provide that too.
Once you have made a police complaint it is crucial to notify your insurance company as soon as you can. This will accelerate the process and you may be protected from liability that is too high. If the thief is driving your vehicle and results in an accident, you may be held responsible depending 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. Every 32 seconds, a car with keys inside is stolen in the United States. This results in an annual loss of over $8 billion.
The best way to avoid this is to lock your car and never leave valuables in plain sight. You should also roll up the windows all the way and make sure you don't leave your car running while unattended particularly with keys inside.
If you have renters or home' insurance, it may cover the items in your car if they are covered under these policies. However, if you had electronics in your vehicle it is likely that they wouldn't be covered under this kind of policy.
You should also keep an eye on your financial accounts, especially if you keep personal documents such as receipts and pay stubs in your vehicle. They could be used to commit identity theft, so you'll need to inform your bank and other institutions as quickly as you can.
Get an extra key
In the past losing your car keys was not a big deal. You could take them to your local key maker and have them duplicated for an inexpensive price. Now, however, many cars have high-tech security features that make it difficult to replace a stolen car key without having to go to the dealer or automaker for assistance.
If you have an extra key, you should put it in a place that is secure and easy to reach when you are away from home. It could be kept in a drawer in your home or in a box near the door. You could also give a spare to a neighbor or a friend you trust.
Contact your dealership and inquire whether they can help you. They'll likely be able disable the stolen key fob, so that it won't be able to start your car. This should be a simple procedure, but it will depend on the specific model and year of your vehicle.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your insurance will cover things such as keys left behind in vehicles that have been stolen. This type of insurance is typically covered in the majority of automobile policies, however it's best to check the specific policy for more details.
If your car was taken with the keys inside, you should also file a police report. This is particularly important if your car is financed or leased, as the lender needs to know about the incident. You may even be able here to obtain an additional set of keys or replacements for lost ones via the insurance claim.
To ensure that your vehicle isn't and the keys inside it in the future, it is recommended to always lock the doors of your vehicle, even when you're stepping away for a short time. Consider installing antitheft devices in your vehicle to make it difficult for thieves to break into it. Some examples of these 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
Contact your insurance provider immediately after you've filed the police report. The majority of insurance companies have online systems that make it easy and quick to complete the process. Avoid delays and back and forth by contact your agent directly instead of through an automated call center. Be prepared to answer any questions they have. You'll be asked to provide information about your car including the year, color, model, license plate number and the make and model. They may be looking for additional details, such as the location and the date of the theft. They will also want to know whether the vehicle has any special features, such as the GPS system or any other security measures.
If you have comprehensive insurance, your vehicle will be covered even if keys are not left in the vehicle. If, however, you only have liability insurance, your car is not covered. This is the reason that you should have a comprehensive insurance policy on your vehicle.
The insurance policy for your car typically covers the actual value of the cash value of your stolen vehicle. This is the value that was in the market at the moment of the theft plus any deductible that is applicable. 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 is processed and the claim is approved, you will be granted a waiting period that will vary depending on the insurer. During this time the insurer will be looking for the vehicle. If it is found, you will be reimbursed for the vehicle (minus your deductible).
If you are lucky the car will be found and returned to you within the waiting period. If not, you'll receive the actual value (minus the deductible) of your stolen vehicle. If you are planning on purchasing a new car, you can use the money to purchase it. Remember that any claims you make on your insurance policy will increase the cost of your insurance. If you're not sure whether or not you should make a claim, speak to your insurance agent and get their opinion.