7 Things You Never Knew About Car Stolen With Keys In It
7 Things You Never Knew About Car Stolen With Keys In It
Blog Article
If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have comprehensive insurance, your car will be covered even if the keys are not in the car. However, the insurance company will conduct an investigation into fraud to determine if you were negligent in causing the theft.
It is recommended to file a claim immediately after you discover that your vehicle was stolen. Any delay could result in your insurance claim being rejected or even being subject to fraud investigations.
1. Don't panic!
It is essential to remain calm and be careful not to make a mistake that will only make the situation worse. First, contact the police. As soon as you call the police, provide them with as much information about the vehicle as you can, including the model, make and license plate number. You should also inform them that there was anything valuable inside your vehicle, such as laptops, work ID badge or any other personal items.
The police will be able to provide you with the most reliable information about the vehicle that was stolen and the steps they intend to take in the future. They might be able to locate your vehicle for you or even be able to catch the thieves who stole the vehicle.
Many people forget to lock their vehicles or shut the windows, especially when they are in rush or have children in the car. While it may seem like a stupid mistake, it is very easy to do and often has devastating consequences. In these cases thieves simply get into the driver's seat pretending they owned it and drive off. If nobody around them knows they aren't the owners and they are able to travel a very long distance before being arrested by a police officer.
Another mistake that can be easily made is leaving keys in the ignition or having a spare key hidden somewhere on your property or in your personal possessions. This is extremely risky and makes it easier for the vehicle to start and get away with. It is commonplace for people to do this when they go inside to buy something or leave their vehicle running for a short period of time while they visit a store. Other mistakes that are common include leaving the car running while it is warming up or rushing to a gas station to pay for fuel.
It is essential to be aware of these mistakes and take preventative measures to avoid them from happening again. This can be done in a number of ways, from installing an alarm system, to parking in well-lit places. Certain automakers also provide security features to deter thieves and prevent them from starting their car. These be anything from a simple, alarm that is audible to more sophisticated devices that use GPS technology to track the car.
2. Contact the police
As the owner of your vehicle, it's your obligation to report any attempted or actual theft. The police department can assist you by giving you information on what you should do next. They can also give you tips on how to safeguard your vehicle in the future by installing a wheellock. They can also provide you with an identification number for the crime, which will help you when contacting your insurer.
When reporting a stolen car, it's important to be as thorough as possible. Make sure that all the information provided to the police and your insurance company are the same. This increases the chances of your car being returned or recovered.
You must be ready to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) along with the license plate number, the year, make, and model of your vehicle, in addition to any other distinguishing features. Include any details about your vehicle's GPS tracking device, or other anti-theft technology.
A third piece of information that is vital is the presence of any personal items inside the vehicle when the theft took place. It could be your purse, wallet or any other item that contains personal information. It's important to inform the credit card companies, your bank, and any other company which could be involved if an item is stolen from your car.
If your personal property is stolen, you must also notify your homeowner's or renters insurance. This is because this type of property is typically covered under the personal property section of these policies, while auto insurance only covers damage to your vehicle.
There is no way to avoid a car burglary, but you can minimize the risk by getting rid of valuables from your vehicle by locking the doors and rolling up the windows at all times. It's also essential to keep a spare set of keys in a different location than your vehicle and to review your insurance policy every year to ensure you have adequate coverage.
If you have comprehensive coverage the insurance company will cover the loss of your vehicle without deductibles, minus any applicable. Liability insurance won't cover thefts of cars. Make sure you have a comprehensive insurance policy prior to lending your car.
3. Don't Search for Your Vehicle on Your Own
As a car owner, you have a duty to ensure the security of your property. This is why it's crucial to ensure your vehicle is secured, even when you're away. It's essential to lock your car each time you leave and to roll the windows up completely. Also, it's best to avoid leaving your spare keys in the car, or any other place where it could be easily accessible to criminals.
One of the most frequent causes for car thefts is that people forget to leave a spare key near or in the car. This is a simple mistake that can have grave consequences, especially in today's world.
Modern thieves have advanced beyond the traditional hotwiring methods you'd encounter in action films and are now employing more sophisticated tactics to steal vehicles. This includes a relay attack where two thieves utilize electronic devices to intercept the signal of the owner's keyfob, then unlock the car, then drive it off.
The good news is the police are now using more effective technology in order to locate thieves who try to steal cars with their keys inside. Some companies will install an electronic device to track your vehicle, which will report the location of your car to the police. This will help to decrease the number of thefts, and increase the likelihood of being recovered.
You might also want to install an immobilizer to stop your car from being started. This makes it harder for thieves to steal your vehicle. You may also determine if someone has tried to start your vehicle by contacting the police.
If you do decide to locate the vehicle that was stolen do not attempt to find it on your own. This can lead to more damage, and even the theft of personal belongings from your vehicle. Instead, contact your insurance company and inform them that your vehicle was taken with keys inside. It is also important to inform them of any personal items that were in the car at the time of the theft, such as mail, a purse or wallet containing your credit cards or cash or office badges, other identification documents, and any medication or other medical supplies that were in the vehicle.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have comprehensive auto insurance (which covers a range of situations, including theft), you should contact your insurance company as soon as you can in order to make an insurance claim. This will allow them to begin the investigation and ensure that read more you are protected in case your car is damaged or lost.
You will want to provide your insurer with all the information you are able to remember about your vehicle like the year, make and model and the license plate number as well as the VIN (vehicle identification number) and the location you last saw it. It is also possible to provide information about the date and time of the theft, as well as whether it was snowing or rained. If you're unsure about any of these details you can contact the police to check the information.
In some instances it is necessary to report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles as well. This will prevent the thief using your vehicle to violate the law or damage other property.
You'll need the police report to be available when you call your insurance company to start the investigation. Also, you must be ready to provide any other details required by your insurance agent.
Be sure to report any personal items you have stolen with your vehicle, since these might be covered by your renters or homeowners insurance (depending on the area you reside in). In addition, you must notify your leasing or finance company to inform them that the vehicle was reported stolen.
Even though this is a difficult situation to be in, it is essential to remain calm and act quickly. These tips will assist you in doing this, and hopefully result in your car getting back safely and sound to you. If you are required to make a claim for keys stolen from a vehicle in it, the best thing to do is consult an independent insurance agent who will guide you through the process and provide you with discounts to make the whole experience as smooth as possible.