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If Your Car Gets Stolen With the Keys Inside, You Can File a Claim
If your car gets stolen with keys inside, you can claim the damage with your comprehensive insurance. It's important to check with your insurance company and review their terms and conditions.
Auto insurance policies do not protect personal property, such as books, tools, or laptops. You'll require homeowners or renters insurance to cover these items.
What happens if your keys are stolen?
In the US the United States, car theft is a huge problem. More than one vehicle is stolen every 32 seconds. The cost to Americans is estimated at more than $8 billion a year. The car key remains a target for thieves despite technological advances. To guard yourself, it is essential to have a spare car key.
What happens if you misplace your keys while driving? The answer is contingent on the terms of your insurance policy and your state. Comprehensive coverage (or "other collision") generally covers your vehicle and its contents as well as your keys. However, some insurers may have an agreement in their policies that says your car won't be covered if the keys are kept in the car. If that's the case it's crucial to read your policy closely.
Another issue is that personal items like cell phones, laptops, textbooks or tools aren't typically covered by auto insurance. You might be able to add your renters or homeowners insurance to your auto insurance policy to protect these items. If you have both kinds of coverage, and your car is stolen, you'll have to file separate claims. One for your auto insurance and another for personal belongings.
Examine your bags and pockets If you suspect that your car keys were stolen. They may have been left on the counter or in your pockets when you exited the car. It's also important to remember where and when you parked.
If you've tried everything and can't locate your keys, call the police. You'll want to make sure that you have a copy of your report on the file in case you require it for your insurance claim. You can also get a key made by the police department and get your belongings back. If you're in a hurry you can also employ locksmiths to make a duplicate key. You may pay a little more, but you'll avoid a larger headache in the future.
What happens if your keys?
It's very easy to lose your keys, especially when you're on an errand. The good news is that according to your insurance policy and what you've planned to do with the spare key, you may not have a huge financial burden to carry.
For those with comprehensive coverage for their car, a stolen or lost car key is covered under personal property theft coverage. This type of protection is covered in a variety of car insurance policies. It may also be available through renters and home policies. If you have these types of insurance bundled, it's important to be aware of which one you should make a claim against if your items are stolen.
You can usually file a car key theft claim with your auto insurance, however it's possible that you will have to surrender the replacement keys to the insurance company in order for your vehicle to be returned to you. Then, you'll need to make arrangements with a local dealer to have the key fobs reprogrammed to allow your vehicle to start.
It is recommended to have a backup plan and keep your spare keys in a location where you can find it easily in case of emergency. You can also ask your family and acquaintances where you left your spare keys. They may be handed to them or left on the street.
If you don't have a spare key, and you are unable to locate your car keys anywhere it's worth calling the police in your area to see whether any of their missing and found items have been reported. Certain areas have an inventory of items that have been lost or found and may be able point you in the direction.
According to National Insurance Crime Bureau research, car thefts that are caused by keys left in the car are on the rise. Unfortunately, the majority of insurance companies don't cover a car burglary even if the keys are in the ignition or under the seat. The most important factor in making this kind of loss non-problematic is to prevent theft in the first place.
What happens if your keys are stolen while you're driving?
We've all done this when we put our keys in the cupholder or tucked them under the visor as we website ran to the store. When we returned, we discovered that we were locked out. Locking your keys in the car is risky for anyone who happens to be passing by, and could make it easy for thieves to gain entry into your car. Although it can be embarrassing and stressful to discover that your car has been stolen with your keys inside, the good news is that most comprehensive (or other than collision) insurance policies will protect you from theft.
It's important to know that some policies do not cover this type theft from coverage. In these instances it's usually because of the policyholder's negligence was responsible in allowing the theft to take place. Certain home insurance companies don't cover burglary claims when homeowners leave their windows open or unlocked cars with keys inside.
You'll need to call your police department when you find out that your vehicle has been stolen with the keys inside. The police can give you suggestions on how to safeguard your vehicle, and they can also give you an identification number to help track the thief down in case your car is found. You should also contact your insurance company to report the theft. You can get more information from them on how to make a claim and what your policy covers.
If your car is seized, you can usually have the locks changed at no cost if you have roadside service coverage. Some other types of insurance (like property insurance) could be able pay for keys stolen or lost, too. Keep in mind that if you choose to file a claim, your rates are likely to increase.
Some firms offer rental car reimbursement as part of their comprehensive insurance policies for those who do not have another vehicle while they await the settlement of their stolen car insurance. This additional coverage can be very useful particularly in situations where a vehicle isn't easily replaceable.
What happens if you misplace your keys at the dealership
Not long ago, misplacing or losing your keys to your car was not an issue. It was simple to slip the spare car key in your pocket or into the visor. Now you'll need to go to the dealership or automaker if you're lacking keys. The cost can range from $200 to $500 per key, based on the year and model of your vehicle.
If you report the theft of your car keys immediately to the police your insurance company will reimburse you for the costs for replacing the lost keys. This includes the cost of locksmiths who reprogram your key fob, rekey your lock as well as any other costs related to getting back in your vehicle. Additionally, you'll want to contact your bank right away to freeze any credit or debit cards that were in your vehicle. This will stop fraud or identity theft from taking place.
The most comprehensive (or "other than collision") insurance policies for cars specifically mention that they cover Theft or Larceny without mentioning any "ifs" or conditions. This is only not the case if you do not use reasonable care as defined by your policy. This includes things like parking your car front of a bonfire or putting your keys inside when you're heading to an establishment.
If you are worried that you'll forget your keys in the car, or that something else might occur, you should consider buying a tracking device or keeping an extra set of keys in a safe place. You won't be responsible for the full cost of replacing keys that have been stolen and you could even save money on your insurance. If you have bundle of property insurance it's possible that your renters or homeowner insurance will cover the cost of replacing your keys too -- but be sure to check your policy for details before filing claims.