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

If you have comprehensive auto insurance, you will be covered even if lose the keys to your car. However, it's important to act quickly.

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

Don't panic

If you're trying to get into your car, and you can't locate your keys, it's an incredibly stressful moment. It can ruin your entire day, and it can also be very frustrating. It's essential to remain calm and rational. First, make sure you've checked everything - in your pocket, bags and other places you might have placed them. Also, walk back through your day - perhaps you put them down in a place or reached inside your bag to retrieve your phone and knocked your keys out.

If you are unable to locate them, you need to contact the police. Notifying the police about the loss of your car stolen with keys in it keys to the police immediately will assist in locating them and may stop someone from using the vehicle without your permission. Informing your insurance company of the car theft is also crucial. They will then assist you to obtain a new set.

You should always verify the insurance policy to see if it covers the car's loss. Most policies cover a vehicle that has been taken with the keys inside, but the conditions and terms differ. Some companies do not cover personal items in the vehicle. Check with your renters insurance or home insurance insurer.

If the car you are leasing or financed, you should call the leasing or financing company as well. They'll likely be required to report the theft to the police, too. This will prevent them from being held responsible for the car if it's stolen car keys replacement and can help speed up the process of obtaining the vehicle back.

Installing anti-theft gadgets on your vehicle can also deter thieves. This could include the lock on your steering wheel or car alarm, or even a GPS tracker. These devices will usually cost a little more to install, but they can save you money over the long term by preventing theft of your vehicle. It is essential to keep your vehicle in good condition 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. They will give you a crime reference number which is crucial in tracking the progress of the investigation. This will help you with your insurance claim in the future.

You'll be required to provide a thorough description of your vehicle, including the make/model, color and the license plate number, as well as the VIN which is on your Proof of Insurance card (this can be a paper document or an app for your smartphone). If you have any other information regarding where and when you last saw it, like distinctive features such as large dents or custom add-ons, or distinct scratches and marks, you must give that information too.

After you've completed a police report it is crucial to notify your insurance company as soon as you can. This will accelerate the process and also protect you from a high risk of liability. This is because, should the burglar cause an accident while driving your vehicle, you could be held accountable, based on your state laws and insurance coverage.

NICB data shows that car thefts in which keys are left in the vehicle are increasing. In reality, a car is taken with keys in it every 32 seconds across the United States and this accounts for more than $8 billion of losses annually.

The best way to avoid this is to always lock your car and not leave valuables out in the open. Also, you should close your windows to the maximum, and avoid leaving the car running in the dark. This is especially true when you have keys in the car.

Another aspect to be aware of is that your renters or homeowner's insurance could cover the possessions you kept in your vehicle, if they were insured under these policies. If, however, you included 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 if you have personal documents like receipts and paycheck stubs inside your vehicle. You should alert your bank as soon as you can.

Get an extra key

In the past the loss of your car keys was not a big deal. You could have them duplicated for a small cost through your local key maker. Nowadays, however, a lot of automobiles are equipped with high-tech security features that make it difficult to replace a stolen car key without having to go to the dealer or automaker to get assistance.

If you have a spare key, the first step is to put it somewhere accessible and safe when you're at home. For example, you might keep it in your house in a drawer that is specifically designed for it or in a keybox close to the door. Or, you might give a spare key to a friend or neighbor who you are confident in.

If you have an extra key The next step is to contact your dealership to find out whether they can assist. They'll likely be able to disable the mercedes sprinter stolen without keys key fob, so that it isn't able to start your vehicle. It should be a straightforward process, but it will depend on the model and year of your car.

You might also want to inquire with your insurance provider if you have comprehensive insurance, which covers things such as stolen cars with keys inside. The majority of auto policies provide this type of coverage however you must check your policy for specific information.

If your car was stolen with the keys inside, you must also file a police claim. This is especially important if your car is financed or leased as the lender must be informed of the incident. You may be able to obtain a new set of keys or a replacement for your lost ones through the insurance claim.

Even if you are just taking only a few minutes, you should secure your vehicle's doors to stop it from being stolen in the future. Also, you should consider putting in antitheft devices to make it more difficult for thieves to break into your vehicle. Examples of this include steering wheel locks, brake pedal locks, and car alarms. Parking in well-lit, secure locations is also recommended. Avoid leaving valuables inside your vehicle or the title.

Contact your insurance company

After you have filed a police report and you have received a police report, you must contact your insurance company immediately. Most insurance companies have online systems that make the process quick and easy. Try to contact your agent directly instead of an operator in a call center to avoid a back and forth process and delays in this highly-sensitive situation. 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, color and the make and model. They might be looking for additional details, such as the time and location of the theft. They will also ask whether the car has extra features, such as a GPS system or other security measures.

If you have coverage that is comprehensive your car will be covered regardless of the fact that keys were left in it. If you only have liability coverage, the car won't be protected. This is the reason that you must have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle.

Typically, your car insurance will pay for the cash value of your stolen vehicle that is the value that was in the market for the vehicle at the time of theft, less any applicable deductible. You'll likely be asked to submit an independent evaluation of your car keys stolen from unlocked house and keep it on file or locate one online.

Once the claim has been completed, you might be given a waiting time. This will differ from insurer to insurer. During this period the insurer will be looking for the vehicle. You will receive a credit for the vehicle (minus any deductible).

If you're fortunate, your vehicle will be located and returned to you within the waiting period. If not, you'll be compensated the actual cash value (minus your deductible) of the vehicle you lost. If you're thinking of buying a new car, you can use this cash to purchase it. Remember that any claims you make on your insurance policy will raise your rates. If you aren't sure whether you should file a claim, talk to your insurance representative and get their opinion.