If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do

As long as you have comprehensive coverage the insurance company will cover your stolen vehicle even if you left the keys in it. The insurance company will investigate the theft to determine if it was your fault.

The most effective thing to do is file an insurance claim as soon as you discover that the vehicle has been stolen. Any delay could result in your insurance claim getting rejected or even being subject to fraud investigations.

1. Don't Panic

If your car has been taken with keys inside, it is extremely important to remain calm and avoid make a poor decision which will only add to the situation. The first thing you should do is call the police. After that provide them with as much information as possible about the vehicle, such as the make, model and license plate number. It is also important to let them know whether there were any valuables inside your vehicle, such as laptops, ID badge for work, or other personal items.

The police will provide you with the most reliable details about your vehicle stolen and the steps they intend to take in the future. They might even be in a position to locate your vehicle for you or they may be able to catch the thieves who took it.

Many people forget to lock their cars or close the windows, particularly if they are in rush or have children with them. It may seem silly however it's actually quite easy to make and can have devastating consequences. In these instances thieves will simply climb into the driver's seat as if they own the vehicle and drive away. If nobody around them knows it isn't the owner, they can travel a considerable distance before being stopped by a policeman.

A common mistake is to leave a spare or an ignition key on your person. This is extremely risky because it makes the vehicle more easy to start and get away with. This is often done when people go into a store to pick up something or leave the car running while they're the store. Other common mistakes include driving the car as it is warming up or hurrying into a gas station order to pay for fuel.

Keeping these mistakes in mind, it is essential to take proactive measures to avoid them in the future. There are a myriad of ways to prevent this starting with installing an alarm system, to parking in well-lit areas. Certain automakers also provide security features that deter thieves and keep them from starting their car. These be anything from a simple, alarm that sounds to the car, or more sophisticated devices that utilize GPS technology to locate the vehicle.

2. Contact the police

As a car owner, it's your responsibility to report any theft or attempted theft. The police department will be capable of providing information about what steps you should take next and may even offer advice around protecting your vehicle in the future, like installing an electronic lock on your wheel. In addition, they can provide you with a reference number that could assist you in contacting your insurance company.

In reporting a vehicle that's stolen, it's important to provide as complete a report as you can. Make sure you provide the exact information to your insurance company as well as the police. This will increase the likelihood that your car is returned or retrieved.

You must be ready to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN), the license plate number, the year, make and model of your vehicle, as well any other distinctive features. Include any information about your vehicle's GPS tracking device, or other security features that prevent theft.

Another aspect that is vital is the presence of personal belongings in the vehicle at the time that the theft occurred. This could be a wallet, purse or any other item that may contain personal information. It is essential to notify credit card companies, your bank and any other company that could be involved in the event of an item is stolen from your vehicle.

If your personal property is stolen, also contact your homeowners' or renters insurance. This is because this type of property is usually covered under the personal property section of these policies, whereas auto insurance only covers damages to your vehicle.

While there's no way to fully prevent car theft, you can reduce the chance of it occurring by removing all valuables from your vehicle and locking your doors. You can also avoid closing your windows at all times. It is also advisable to keep an extra key in a different location than inside your car. Also, examine your insurance coverage each year to make sure you are covered.

If you have a comprehensive insurance policy, your insurance provider will pay for the loss of your car without deductibles, minus any applicable. Liability insurance doesn't cover theft of cars therefore, make sure you have comprehensive coverage prior to lending your car to anyone.

3. Don't Try to Search for Your Vehicle on Your Own

You are required as an owner of a vehicle to safeguard your vehicle. It is crucial to secure your vehicle, even when you are not present. It is also important to lock your car every time you leave it and then roll up the windows completely. Additionally, it's always recommended to avoid leaving your spare keys in the car, or anywhere else that might be accessible to criminals.

In reality, one of the most frequent reasons why people have their cars stolen with keys in it is because they've left a spare key in or near the car. This is a simple error that could have serious consequences especially in the current world.

Modern thieves are moving beyond the hotwiring techniques that you've seen in action films and are using more sophisticated tactics to steal vehicles. This is what's known as a relay attack which is where two thieves work together to utilize an electronic device to detect the signal from the owner's key fob. They then unlock the vehicle and take it away.

The good news is that police are starting to use more efficient technology to identify thieves who try to steal cars with keys in them. Some companies offer to install an electronic device to track your vehicle that will send the exact location of your vehicle to the police. This could lower the chance and number of thefts.

You may also want to install an immobilizer in order to prevent your car from being started. This will make it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle. You can also determine if someone has tried to start your vehicle by contacting the police.

You should not look for your vehicle if you decide to track it down. This could cause more damage and possibly the theft of personal belongings from your vehicle. Instead, contact your insurance company and inform them that your car was taken with keys inside. It is also important to inform them of any personal belongings that were in the vehicle at the time of theft, such as mail or a wallet that contains your cash or credit cards, an more info office badge or other forms of identification, and any medications or other medical supplies that were in the vehicle.

4. Call Your Insurance Company

If you have comprehensive auto insurance (which includes a variety of situations, including theft), you should contact your insurer as quickly as possible to file an insurance claim. This will allow them to begin the investigation and ensure you are covered in case your car is damaged or lost.

You should provide your insurer with all the details you can remember about your vehicle including: the year, make and model as well as the license plate number as well as the VIN (vehicle identification number) and the location you last saw it. It is also beneficial to include details about the manner in which the theft occurred and at what time of the day it was, and whether there was snow or rain. If you're unsure about any of these details you can contact the police to look up the documents.

In some instances, it might also be necessary to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. This will help prevent the thief from using your vehicle in any way that could violate the law or cause damage to another' property.

You'll require the police report to be on hand when you contact your insurance company to start the investigation. You will also need to be ready to provide any other information requested by your insurance company.

Be sure to report any personal items you have stolen with your vehicle, since these may be covered under your renters or homeowners insurance (depending on the area you reside in). It is also important to inform your leasing or finance company that the vehicle has been reported as stolen.

Even though this is a very stressful situation to be in, it is essential to remain calm and act quickly. These tips will help to accomplish this and may help you get your vehicle back in good condition. If you need to file a claim because your car was taken with the keys inside, it's recommended to hire an independent agent who can help you through the procedure. They can also assist you in finding discounts to make this whole experience as smooth as possible.