15 Startling Facts About Car Stolen With Keys In It You've Never Known
15 Startling Facts About Car Stolen With Keys In It You've Never Known
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If Your Car Has Been Stolen With Keys in It, Here's What to Do
If you have comprehensive coverage your insurance policy will be able to cover your vehicle stolen even if you forgot keys in the car. The insurance company will investigate the theft to determine if it was your fault.
The most effective thing to do is start an insurance claim as soon you discover that the vehicle was stolen. Your insurance claim will be denied if you put off filing.
1. Don't Panic
It is important to be calm and avoid making a mistake which will only cause the situation to get worse. 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. You should also inform them whether there were any valuables in your vehicle, such as a laptop, a ID badge for work or any other personal items.
The police will provide you with the most reliable details about your vehicle stolen and the steps they plan to take in the future. They might be able to locate your vehicle or catch the thieves.
Many people forget to close their windows or lock their car particularly when they are in a rush or have children with. Although it might seem like a silly error to make however, it's very easy to make and often results in tragic consequences. In these cases thieves simply get into the driver's seat as if they own the vehicle and drive off. If nobody knows it's not the owner, thieves can travel for a long period of time before being arrested by the police.
A common error is to leave a spare or an ignition key on your person. This can be extremely dangerous, as it makes it easier for the vehicle to start and get away with. People often do this when they go in to get something or leave their vehicle running for a few minutes while they go in the shop. Other mistakes that are common include running the car as it is warming up, or rushing to a gas station in order to pay for fuel.
Keeping these mistakes in mind, it is essential to take proactive measures to prevent them from happening in the future. This can be done in a number of ways, from putting in an alarm system, to parking in well-lit places. Additionally, some automakers have security features that deter thieves or prevent them from starting the car. These be anything from a simple, alarm that sounds to the car, or more sophisticated devices that make use of GPS technology to locate the car.
2. Contact the police
As the owner of your vehicle, it's your obligation to report any theft or attempted theft. Your police department can help you by providing you with details on what to do next. They may also give you tips on how to protect your vehicle in the future such as installing a lock. They will also provide you with a reference number for the crime that will help you when making contact with your insurance company.
When you report a car that has been stolen it is crucial to be as detailed as possible. Make sure that all the details provided to police and your insurance company are the same. This increases the chances that your car is returned or found.
The type of information you need to be prepared to provide includes your vehicle identification number (VIN) as well as your license plate number, year, make and model, as well as any other distinctive features. If your vehicle is equipped with an GPS tracking device or any other anti-theft device, make sure to include that information as well.
Another piece of information that is crucial is the presence of personal belongings in the vehicle when the theft took place. It could be your purse, wallet or any other item that contains personal information. For this reason, it's a good idea to alert credit card companies, banks and any other entities who could be involved in the instance of a lost item in your vehicle.
If your personal property is stolen, you should be in touch with your homeowners' or renters insurance. This is because these items are usually covered under the personal property section of these policies, whereas auto insurance covers only the damage to your vehicle.
While there's no way to completely prevent a car theft, you can minimize the chance of it occurring by removing all valuables from your vehicle, locking your doors and opening your windows at all times. It's also important to always keep a spare set of keys in a different location than your vehicle and to review your insurance policy annually to ensure you have enough coverage.
If you have comprehensive insurance, the insurer will cover the damage or loss to your vehicle, less any applicable deductible. Liability insurance doesn't cover thefts of cars. Make sure you have comprehensive coverage prior to lending your vehicle.
3. Do not attempt to look for your vehicle by yourself
You are required as an owner of your vehicle to ensure the safety of your vehicle. That is why it's important to ensure that your vehicle is secure, even when you're not there. Also, you should be sure to lock your car every time you leave it and then roll up the windows completely. Additionally, it's always recommended to not leave your spare keys in the car, or in any other location that could be a target for criminals.
In reality one of the main reasons that people have their vehicles taken away with keys in it is because they have left a spare key in or near the vehicle. This is a common mistake that can have grave consequences especially in the current world.
Modern thieves are stepping beyond the hotwiring techniques you've seen in action films and are employing more sophisticated methods to rob vehicles. This includes something called relay attacks which is where two thieves collaborate to utilize an electronic device to record the signal from the owner's key fob and then unlock the vehicle and drive it away.
The good news is that police are starting to make use of more sophisticated technology to catch thieves who are trying to steal cars with keys in them. Some companies will install a tracking device on your vehicle which can transmit the exact location of your vehicle to the police. This will reduce the likelihood and frequency of thefts.
In addition to a tracking device, you may want to consider installing an immobilizer on your vehicle to prevent it from being started. This will make it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle. You may also determine if someone has tried to start the vehicle by contacting the police.
If you do decide to search for your stolen vehicle it is not advisable to find it yourself. This could result in more damage, or even the theft of your personal belongings from your vehicle. Instead, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible and inform them that your car was stolen and keys were inside. It is also important to inform them of any personal possessions that were in the car at the time of the theft, including mail, a purse or wallet that contained your cash or credit cards, an office badge or other forms of identification and any medication or medical supplies that were in the vehicle.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
If you have a comprehensive car insurance policy (which typically covers a broad range of incidents such as theft) it is essential to contact your insurance company and make a claim as soon as you can. This will allow them to get started on the investigation and ensure that you're covered in case your vehicle is stolen or damaged.
It is important to provide your insurance company with as many details regarding your vehicle as you are able to remember, including the year, make, and model, the license plate number as well as the VIN (vehicle ID number) and where you saw it last. You may also provide details about the time and day of the theft, and if it rained or snowed. If you aren't sure of any of the above information it is possible to request the police to look up their records to find this website information for you.
In some instances it is required to report the theft to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles as well. This will stop a thief from using your vehicle to break the law or harm other property.
If you contact your insurance company, you'll be required to bring the police report on hand so that they can begin the investigation. You should also be prepared to provide any other information requested by your insurance agent.
You could be able to claim personal items that were stolen from your car through your renters' or homeowners insurance, based on the area you reside in. Also, you should inform your leasing or finance company that your vehicle was reported stolen.
It is important to remain calm and swiftly act, even though it is an extremely stressful situation. These tips will help to do this and hopefully will result in getting your vehicle back in good condition. If you are required to file a claim due to your car was stolen with keys inside, it is best to work with an independent agent who will assist you in the process. They can also help you find discounts to make this whole experience as smooth as possible.