‘If You Leave Your Keys in Your Car, Does Insurance Cover the Theft?’
Does Insurance cover stolen Car if Keys left? If you’re in the market for auto insurance, you’ve probably already had to deal with plenty of confusing terms and fine print.
One of the most common questions people have is whether they’ll be covered if they leave their keys in their car — or if they forget to lock it when leaving it parked somewhere overnight — and it gets stolen.
Does Insurance cover a steal Car if Keys left? In this article, we’ll go over what car insurance covers, how much insurance rates can change depending on where you live, and whether your auto insurance covers theft if you leave your keys in your car.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Comprehensive Auto Insurance Coverage?
Does Insurance cover stolen Car if Keys left? Comprehensive auto insurance coverage helps pay for your expenses if your car is stolen or damaged by a natural disaster.
Does Insurance cover stolen Car if Keys left? This type of coverage is usually sold with collision coverage and is often referred to as full coverage. The comprehensive policy can also cover things like damage from hail storms or floods, fire and vandalism.
Comprehensive auto insurance may also help pay for theft if someone breaks into your car and steals it. Keep in mind that it’s not required by law that you carry comprehensive auto insurance; there are some states where a driver can choose between carrying full coverage.
What Is Stolen Vehicle Replacement (SVR)?
Does Insurance cover stolen Car if Keys left? Stolen vehicle replacement is a great example of comprehensive car insurance coverage. It pays you for an essential piece of your car after it has been stolen.
This is also known as actual cash value coverage because it does not cover your loss completely; rather, it only covers a certain amount of money for what your vehicle would be worth in its current condition.
For example, if someone steals your $50,000 sports car and then totals it out by crashing into a tree on the way home from their joyride to nowhere good, SVR will cover part of that loss — but not all of it — because your sports car isn’t any good to drive anymore.
What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?
Does Insurance cover stolen Car if Keys left? A personal injury protection (PIP) policy covers medical costs for you and your passengers if you get hurt in an accident. It’s often a part of a standard car insurance policy. Coverage limits vary by state. In most states, PIP will pay 80% to 100% of your medical costs up to a maximum amount specified by law ($2,500 or $5,000).
PIP pays regardless of who is at fault for an accident. Be aware that certain requirements and conditions are specific to each state when considering purchasing Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Check with your auto insurance provider to see what types of coverage they offer and whether they are required or optional coverages as part of their auto insurance policy.
What Else Do I Need to Know About My Policy?
If you have comprehensive coverage on your car, then yes — theft is covered. However, there are a few other factors that might limit that coverage: whether or not you live in a neighbourhood where auto theft is common, and whether or not you’ve been driving with something called negative equity.
Here’s what it means: Even if your car has gone up in value over time and has become worth more than what you paid for it when you first bought it, negative equity doesn’t mean your vehicle becomes worthless overnight.
How Much Is the Deductible on My Policy?
Does Insurance cover stolen Car if Keys left? The deductible is an amount you must pay out of pocket for a covered loss before your insurance company will begin paying out any money.
For example, if you have a $500 deductible on your home insurance policy and there’s an earthquake that damages your roof, you’ll be responsible for paying to have it repaired or replaced for up to $500 — anything beyond that would be covered by your insurer.
If you don’t have enough saved up for a big repair bill right now or can’t afford to pay it at all, aim to keep your deductible low so you aren’t left picking up costs after an incident.
How Can I Lower My Premiums For Comprehensive Coverage?
Does Insurance cover stolen Car if Keys left? In general, car insurance premiums are based on four main factors: your driving record (specifically violations and claims), your age, vehicle value and where you live. After these four variables come into play with auto insurance, then theft becomes a factor.
If someone steals your vehicle and there’s comprehensive coverage on it but no theft deterrent device installed, like an alarm or GPS tracker — regardless of whether keys were left inside or not — that would make it a claim for comprehensive coverage under your auto policy.
What Type of Coverage Do I Need to Protect Against Vandalism and Other Property Damage?
Does Insurance cover stolen Car if Keys left? Comprehensive coverage, which is often a part of your car insurance policy, pays for damage to your car that isn’t caused by a collision. It may also pay for vandalism and other property damage if you have it.
Depending on what type of vehicle you own and where you live, comprehensive coverage might be all you need. If not, it’s worth considering whether additional parts of your policy are worth paying for.
How Can I Get Additional Information About This Topic?
Does Insurance cover stolen Car if Keys left? When you’re ready to look into an insurance policy with your agent or on your own, be sure to ask for details about what that policy covers — and what it doesn’t.
Does Insurance cover stolen Car if Keys left? If you have questions about whether a type of coverage is worth paying for or not, call your insurance company or agent. And if you have questions about how much your insurance will pay out after a certain event — such as theft — keep reading!
Auto insurance can be tricky (just like buying cars), but having a good understanding of what’s covered and why can help avoid nasty surprises when you file a claim. Read on to learn more about comprehensive auto coverage and theft. Who Pays For My Stolen Car?
Conclusion – Does Insurance cover stolen Car if Keys left?
No matter how long you’ve owned your car, you probably don’t know all of its insurance details. It may seem obvious that comprehensive insurance will cover a stolen car if keys are left inside. Leaving your car unattended with keys inside is an easy way to get it stolen.
It doesn’t matter if you drive a cheap beater or a luxury sports car; anyone can do it — and they might not even realize they can claim on their comprehensive insurance coverage for it.
Does Insurance cover stolen Car if Keys left? If you want to play it safe and leave nothing to chance when it comes to owning your vehicle and making sure no one takes off with it, put your keys away when you park.
