Car Thefts Caused by Keys Left in Car

The number of car thefts that take place when owners leave their keys in their cars is on the rise. It can be a frustrating and costly experience.

The answer to the question "does insurance cover cars stolen car keys from house if keys are left in?" is yes, but only if you have comprehensive coverage (other than liability) on your policy.

1. Make sure you check your bags and pockets

It can be a frustrating experience to reach into your purse or pocket and not find your car keys. When you're rushing it's easy to forget things. You can easily become distracted and forget your car keys. Even if you're vigilant it's still possible to happen.

This is particularly true for newer vehicles with key fobs that must be programmed to your vehicle. Some have even been victims of "Relay Attacks" which involves a thief standing near your home with equipment that captures the signal from the key fob stolen what to do fob and sends it to an accomplice who is outside your home using another device that can unlock your car. This kind of theft happens more often than you imagine, and can be accomplished with a simple smartphone app.

If you've checked all of the usual places you're now ready to conduct a an exhaustive check of your pockets and bags. This includes the pockets of your pants and jackets as well as any bags you brought with you. You could also look in places you don't typically place things, such as the bottom of a purse or the inside of your shoes. You can also ask your family or friends if they have the keys, especially when this is your first time you've lost them.

If you don't find them, you can review your day to see where you may have placed them. It is possible that you set them somewhere when you were looking for food, or you could have reached into bags and accidentally knocked your keys out. Sometimes they are hidden from view for example, under cushions on couches or in a stack of mail.

Never keep your spare key in your car, and don't have a single keychain that holds both your car keys as well as your house keys. You are more likely to lose them since thieves will check your car for these items and assume that you have them. Making the theft known as soon as you can will help police locate the culprit and save money on your car insurance if you need to file a claim.

2. Check under the car

Not only can a lost set of keys for your car cost you money and expensive, but they can be a security risk. Thieves can use your stolen keys to steal your vehicle and gain access to personal items stored in the trunk as well. This could result in identity theft, in addition to the loss of your vehicle.

If you leave your car keys in the ignition, thieves could easily start up your vehicle and then drive it away. This is the reason Firestone cautions against storing valuables in your car, especially if the keys are left in the ignition. If you have to leave your purse or cell phone in your car, consider hiding it in your trunk. Also, keep your car doors locked and put your keys in the ignition when you're at an convenience store or a gas station. These locations often have parking spaces where people tend to stay to make it easier to walk through the store or leave their cars stolen with keyless entry idle while they shop. This makes them easy targets for thieves.

The idea of putting your spare key in the cupholder or hidden under the visor is yet another error that can cause theft. Thieves can easily identify a spare key and quickly make use of it to gain entry into your vehicle, since it's not secured.

In the past, misplacing a key or losing one was not a big deal. However, as cars have become more advanced technologically keys have also become more sophisticated become more complex and difficult to replace without the original. A locksmith can duplicate a key from a previous car dependent on the model and year however, for more modern vehicles you'll have to visit a dealership or automaker to purchase a new key.

If your car was stolen with the keys inside the car, you should submit a claim to your insurance company as soon as you can. Based on your state and insurance policy, comprehensive coverage (often referred to as "other than collision") or property insurance might be able to cover the cost of replacing your keys. If you've bundled your vehicle and property insurance, you could be in a position to file both claims at one time which will save time and hassle.

3. Walk Back Through Your Day

You stop at the station to refill your tank and leave your keys in the car as you rush into the shop to pay. You might think you've parked your car in a safe place but thieves are aware of your habits and could make use of it.

Retracing your steps is the first thing you should do when you're able to calm down and get your rational side to take over. This will help you find the keys you lost however, it will also aid you in learning from the mistake and prevent it from happening again in the future.

Also, look in the pockets of all the bags and jackets you've worn since you last used your keys and examine the surfaces on which you might have put them down, like on countertops or tables. Also, think about whether you might have reached into the bag to pick up your phone only to accidentally knock keys out of it.

If you can't locate your keys, call the police to report the keys missing. If you follow these tips, stay calm and retrace the steps, the chances of regaining your stolen keys are good. It's important to note that car thefts are increasing in the US, and some thieves have even found a way to hack into key fobs to leave the vehicle without owner's permission. Therefore, be extra cautious and utilize tools such as inventory management software to keep track of where your keys are located at all times.

4. Call the police

It's not only embarrassing to put your car keys inside it however it increases the chances that your vehicle is stolen. That's why it's important to find out if your insurance company will cover the theft of your car if you happen to leave your keys inside of it. If you have comprehensive coverage (also known as "other than collision"), your insurance provider will cover damage to your vehicle and any belongings inside it at the time it was stolen.

It is important to remember that the deductible is applicable. It's also important to remember that the insurance policy is likely to conduct a credit check to ensure there is no fraud. The DMV in your state may also want to know about the theft to update their records, making it harder for the thief sell your car keys stolen how to replace.

If you have coverage for comprehensive the first thing your insurance company will do is verify that the car was stolen (as as opposed to merely an accident or bump). They will then likely notify the police and will be the ones to investigate. You'll also need to provide the police with a the exact description of your vehicle and any valuables in it, and a copy of the title, if you have one.

It's possible to have a rough day if you forget to lock the keys to your car inside. From being stuck in traffic to losing your wallet, there are a myriad of possibilities for things to happen. It is essential to lock your car and to never put valuables on display.

There is always the possibility that your car will be stolen, no matter if you reside in Pueblo. It's not just a problem for those who reside in the top five metropolitan areas that are most likely to be victimized by car thieves anyone can get their vehicle snatched at any time. Call the Rinaldo Law Group to schedule a consultation with a Tampa personal attorney for the aftermath of a recent accident, or other legal matter.