If you’ve ever had to deal with a car theft, then you know just how frustrating it can be when your vehicle is gone and you can’t get it back. Well, one Texas woman learned the hard way that insurance companies don’t always have your best interests at heart.
In this particular case, the woman’s car was stolen with the keys still inside, meaning she couldn’t use her car to retrieve any of her belongings that were inside. Although the insurance company initially offered to cover the costs of a new vehicle, they eventually changed their tune and said that the stolen car wasn’t covered at all.
What is covered under car insurance?
When you drive your car, you are responsible for knowing and following the rules of the road. This means that if someone else takes your car without your permission, they are not liable for any damages they cause. However, there are certain situations in which your insurance company may cover you regardless of who is responsible.
Here are three examples of when your car insurance may cover a stolen car with the keys still in it:
1) If you leave your car unlocked and the thief grabs it while you’re away, your insurer may cover the loss.
2) If someone breaks into your car while you’re inside and steals just the keys, your policy may still cover the cost of replacing your vehicle.
3) If someone breaks into your car while you’re driving and steals both the keys and the car itself, this would be considered a total loss and would not be covered by insurance.
How to report a stolen car
If your car was stolen with the keys inside, you’ll likely have to file a police report and then deal with the insurance company. The process of reporting a stolen car is usually simple, but there are certain steps you should take to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible. Here are some tips:
What happens if I have my car towed?
If you have your car towed, the tow truck driver will likely take the car to a storage lot or to a mechanic. The store where your car is stored may or may not have insurance that covers a stolen car with keys in it. If the store does not have insurance, you may be able to get insurance through your credit card company.
Conclusion
If you’ve had your car stolen and the keys are inside, will your insurance company cover the cost of getting a new car? In most cases, yes. Under most policies, if the keys are inside of the car and someone steals it with them, your insurance company is going to treat it as if you never had the car in the first place. This means that they’re not going to pay for any damages that were done to the vehicle while it was being used by another person.