If Your Car Was Stolen With Keys Inside, Follow the Police Process

As the colder weather pushes us into "Puffing Season" leaving cars running with keys inside has become an effective method for stealing. If your car is taken with keys inside, it is recommended that you always make a police report immediately.

Insurance policies vary but generally, comprehensive coverage will cover cars even if the keys are locked inside. However, personal belongings are typically covered by homeowners or renters insurance and not car insurance.

Theft

A lot of car thieves simply target a vehicle with the keys inside. It's a simple method that works. Drivers get distracted and their car is gone the next time they notice. It's essential to stop this cycle, so make sure you have your keys with you when you leave your vehicle, no matter the location you park.

Every 32 seconds, a vehicle is stolen. The United States loses $8 billion in vehicle thefts every year. It's important to never leave keys in your car without being checked particularly when you reside in a high-crime zone.

The criminals have become skilled at stealing cars with key fobs. This makes it even more crucial to take extra security measures. The thieves can employ relay attacks, signal jamming or other methods to hack into the system of a vehicle and then reprogram the key fob. They may also employ a "slim jim" an instrument that is inserted into the cavity of a door in the window at the base to alter the locking mechanisms or links.

Another method is hotwiring, which involves removing a vehicle's ignition cable and then using an electric current to start the engine. It's a popular trick for teenagers who do not have full-time employment and are seeking a quick buck However, it also allows criminals to use stolen cars as part of joyriding or other criminal acts.

Dealerships can protect their security by using vehicles tracking systems, as well as conducting regular audits of their key inventory and the vehicle's records. This will help them to identify gaps or possible security breaches. They should also urge drivers to use the Faraday box, or signal-blocking pouch when storing their keys in order to stop relay attacks and hacking.

If you do leave your car running while you have keys in it, your insurance provider likely will pay for the damage provided you have Comprehensive coverage. However, your insurance provider may conduct credit checks and other checks to ensure that the claim is legitimate before paying you.

Damage

It's almost like asking for your vehicle to be stolen if you leave it unlocked or running while the keys are in the car. An opportunistic car thief can leave in a matter of minutes. Fortunately, your insurance company could cover the theft when you have a comprehensive insurance policy. However, some policies exclude vehicles that have keys inside from being covered. If you're concerned that your policy won't be able to cover this, it could be worthwhile switching to other auto insurance providers.

Certain states have laws that define the responsibility of a car owner to a theft when the keys are inside. The rules differ from state to state, therefore it's important to understand them. In the majority of cases, the car owner is not accountable for any accidents that occur when the thief is driving. The thief doesn't have insurance. The owner of the car is not liable for any items taken from a vehicle as they are covered by homeowners insurance or renters' insurance.

It is important to report the theft of your car to police and your insurance company as soon as you can. This will allow the process to move forward more quickly and may increase your chances of reclaiming your property. Be aware that filing multiple claims could affect your insurance rates. Discuss this with your agent in order to find out what impact it could have on your policy in the future.

The best way to stop a car being stolen with the keys inside is to secure it and close the windows each when you leave your vehicle. A spare key should be kept in a secure location, not in the car. If you need to leave the vehicle running while you leave, make sure to shut off the ignition and place the car in park prior to exiting.

It is not advisable to keep valuables such as laptops or MP3 players in your car. You may be able file a separate claim if you have added nonpermanent items to your vehicle, such as the USB device plugged into the accessory port.

Insurance

A car is stolen every 32 seconds, and car theft cost Americans more than $8 billion each year. Most cars are covered under insurance policies in the event they are stolen. In some instances your insurance policy might not cover the cost of repair or replacement of your vehicle. If you leave your keys in your car, and it's stolen, this is one of those situations. This isn't the most common situation, but it does happen.

The answer to whether or not your vehicle is covered in this situation is contingent on the policy you have. Most policies that cover comprehensive insurance will cover your car even if it is stolen and the keys remain inside. However, the amount that your insurance company will pay is dependent on the limits of your policy and the deductible.

If you have an insurance policy that is only liability-based, your car is likely to be taken if the keys are in it but you'll be compensated for a maximum of $10,000 or less. If you have comprehensive insurance on your vehicle, you can make a claim for the full value of your vehicle and all the contents (minus the deductible).

There is a major limitation to this scenario: Insurance companies may consider putting your keys in your car as a case of negligence. Many insurers expect their customers to take reasonable measures to safeguard their vehicles. This includes locking them when not in use and ensuring they aren't running. If you reside in a region where car thefts are a common occurrence the insurer may increase your premium.

There are other ways to protect your vehicle from theft by installing an anti-theft system or other security features. You can also determine whether you have insurance on your property in place. Renters and homeowners insurance typically provide personal property coverage which will protect your belongings if they are lost or stolen in the property or off it. If you have a bundled property and auto insurance policy generally, you can submit both claims at once to save time and money.

Recovery

Follow the police procedure to retrieve your vehicle after it's been stolen with keys inside. Report the theft to your local police department. Make sure you give them all the details they require about the vehicle, including the VIN, license plate the year, make, model, location and any unique features.

After filing a police report the police, they will begin to search for your vehicle. They will employ different methods to find it, such as interviewing witnesses, analyzing evidence in physical form and examining surveillance footage. During this period, it's vital to remain patient and be in contact with the police for updates.

If your car is repossessed and it needs to be examined, an insurance claims adjuster will need to do so to determine the condition of the car. If it is found in an able to drive condition and the damage occurred while it was out of your control, you will be compensated through your comprehensive insurance. The amount you will receive will depend on the current market value of your car, the deductible on your auto insurance policy and any additional insurance that you may have such as homeowners or renters.

Another option that could differ according to the advice of the police or your insurance company is to inform your state's Department of Motor Vehicles about the vehicle that was stolen. This will be added to the information of your vehicle to a nationwide database of stolen vehicles. This will make it more difficult here for criminals in the future to register or sell the stolen vehicle illegally.

Contact your bank to stop the freezing of any debit or credit card that is found in your vehicle that was stolen. This will stop fraudulent charges and identity theft. If you have renters or homeowners insurance, it's recommended to notify your insurance company, as items in your vehicle are usually covered under these policies. In some instances you may be able combine the claims from both policies to get a bigger payout for your stolen items.