Does Insurance Cover Stolen Car If Keys Left? Brini Shares Insights
Does Insurance Cover Stolen Car If Keys Left
Does Insurance Cover Stolen Car If Keys Left? Hey, how’s everyone doing? Somebody told me today that my socks do not match each other and I looked down to see if it was true and then they asked me how that would have happened. However, it made me realize how little things can turn into big things. It’s like leaving your car keys in the ignition. Does that do anything to your insurance? Let’s unpack that!
We all know the feeling, late for work, time to dart out and just leave your keys in the car. Hypothetically sounds like a benign choice, doesn’t it? However, what happens if your vehicle gets stolen? And that is where it begins to get a little tricky with the insurance coverage. Ultimately, if you are not able to comply with the terms of your insurance policy and then a thief drives away with your car then whether you left your keys in the car is irrelevant, it is going to affect your overall claim somehow.
Most auto insurance contracts include a provision that reduces or denies coverage in the event of negligence, and leaving keys behind in the car may count as such, according to the statement. But the actual answer is highly dependent on your provider, the situation, and your state’s laws. Still, some insurers may classify the theft under comprehensive and decide to pay while others might claim that you are liable for not taking the necessary steps to secure your automobile.
Does Insurance Cover Stolen Car If Keys Left? Basics Of Insurance Coverage For Theft Of The Car
Overview
When it comes to details, comprehensive car insurance usually covers a lot of incidents including car theft. A type of policy that covers damage to your property due to vandalism, arson, natural disaster, and of course, theft. Theft claims are technically valid under this coverage, which means you could get your money back if your car was stolen.
Key Detail
For example, your comprehensive insurance might cover you for theft, but your insurer will take a look at if you had taken reasonable steps to secure your car. This may have a huge bearing on the result of your claim where negligence is in the event. If your keys were in the ignition, or you left your doors unlocked, for example, it may ask if your actions were partly responsible for the theft.
Issue
Insurance companies tend to look at leaving the keys in the ignition or leaving the car unlocked as negligence. Insurers might claim you did not take the necessary precautions to prevent the car from being stolen, which means if your car was taken in these circumstances, you’d be out of pocket. This may result in your claim being denied or the payout being lowered.
Consequences
Any negligence on the part of the policyholder can lead to reductions or complete denial of otherwise valid claims. Depending on how severe the neglect was, the company may pay only a portion of the thefts or may not pay at all. In some instances, it may even cause your premiums to rise because of the incident.
What Is Negligence In Insurance?
Negligence is simply doing something reasonable to protect your property. Negligence, in terms of car insurance, translates to any actions (or lack of action) that leave your car susceptible to being stolen, damaged, or lost.
Negligence can have far-reaching implications for your insurance claim. If the insurer believes that your actions were negligent or dangerous, such as leaving your car unlocked with the keys in the ignition, they may reduce the payout or deny coverage outright. In essence, negligence reduces coverage under the policy.
Examples
- An example is leaving the keys in the ignition whilst quickly popping in to pick up some items.
- Not locking the car, or leaving it unlocked in public and high risk areas.
- Leaving valuables out in the open in the dashboard of the car.
- Open Windows or Doors – A common but negligent mistake.
Insurance companies assume you will take simple measures to protect your car. This involves making sure your car is locked, storing any valuables or taking the keys with you when leaving the car unattended. Expecting you to meet these can be viewed as negligence, and results in the lack of a payout for your claim.
What To Do If Your Car With Keys Get Stolen?
Action Steps
Claim Process
Possible Outcomes
Conclusion
Does Insurance Cover Stolen Car If Keys Left: Leaving your keys in the car may seem like an innocent mistake, but the ramifications can be huge when it comes to your insurance coverage. When it comes to a stolen car with the keys inside, your insurance coverage generally depends on your particular policy and the insurance company. Some insurers offer it under comprehensive insurance and others can refuse your claim finding it negligent.
Be sure to read the fine print of your insurance policy to know how you are covered in the event of theft or negligence. If you are unsure about your coverage, you may want to call your insurer to better understand what may or may not be covered in these circumstances. At the end of the day, when it comes to your vehicle and insurance, prevention is a huge factor in keeping you covered on the road.
FAQ
Most policies cover theft under comprehensive insurance, but again that depends on your policy terms.
Open windows and leaving your keys in the ignition could also be construed as negligence and likewise limit or defeat your claim.
Yes, if your insurer defines it as negligence they are able to refuse your claim.
No, your deductible is not going to change as a result of the driver being identified, but the insurance company may see fewer miles as the other driver was identified under the circumstances.
First and foremost, you should inform the police of the theft as soon as possible, as well as your insurance agent.
