Will insurance still pay a claim on a stolen vehicle if the keys were left in it at the time of the theft?

Question

Will insurance still pay a claim on a stolen vehicle if the keys were left in it at the time of the theft?

Answer 1

yeah, they don't need to know that though. don't let the insurance people know that the keys were in it. they will never know..  

Answer 2

Yes, as long as the car has comprehensive coverage, which covers theft.  There is no exclusion in the policy regarding keys being left in the car, so they will pay whether they know that or not.  but if you're not asked about it, don't say anything.

For those giving me thumbs down and saying I don't know what I'm talking about - Insurance policies vary by state, and I've never seen an auto theft claim in NYS get denied because the keys were left in the car.  That would be like homeowner's insurance denying claims because someone's doors were unlocked.  People are not supposed to steal your stuff, period.  insurance companies generally don't hold the victim accountable unless they suspect some type of fraud.  I'm also not telling people to lie to the insurance company.  If the company doesn't ask if the keys were left in the car I don't think that failing to say anything is really fraud.  Just like a witness in court not offering information that isn't asked of them isn't committing perjury.  When the company finds no forced entry and no engine tampering they will put the pieces together and settle the claim based on the policy contract and deny the claim if there is indeed an exclusion for it.

Answer 3

Theres a 99.9% chance they will NOT cover the theft.

Read your policy regarding your comprehensive coverage. Majority of auto policies will have an exclusion that basically states they will not cover a theft if its determined there was no forced entry into the vehicle (like leaving your keys in the car.)

That is just like putting a big neon sign w/ an arrow above the car that says "Steal Me"

AND............. Anyone who says yes it will be covered does not know what they are talking about.

Answer 4

I would think an insurance company should have an exclusion for this... BUT there have been cases where keys were left in a car and it was stolen and the theft WAS covered as long as there is comprehensive coverage on the car.  

It's NOT a smart idea to leave your keys in your car, and it will definitely be questioned by the insurance company as to why someone would leave keys in their car.  

BUT as long as there is no exclusion listed in your auto policy booklet for no coverage if keys are left in the car and there is comprehensive coverage on the car... the claim should be covered.

Answer 5

You don't need to tell them that the keys were left in it.

Answer 6

Any time the keys are left in the car and the vehicle is stolen, you end up going through an investigation into insurance fraud.  You don't even have to admit it, an undamaged ignition is the 1st clue that the thief had the keys.

Assuming you make it through the investigation, yes, the insurance will pay, assuming, of course, you had comprehensive coverage.  The nice thing about comprehensive is, if a peril is not specifically excluded, or a condition specifically applied to a peril, then it is covered

The person who associates the "locked vehicle warranty clause" with your question is in error.  Such clause is applied on some polices as regards contents that would be covered by, say, a business policy, while you have content off-premises.  In other words, if your laptop were to be stolen from the vehicle, you may find the policy (not the auto policy) would have wording similar to this.

~~"It is warranted by the Insured that any vehicle in which the property insured is carried is equipped with a fully enclosed metal body or compartment, and the Insurer shall be liable in case of loss by theft from an unattended vehicle only as a direct result of forcible entry (of which there shall be visible evidence) into such body or compartment the doors and windows of which shall have been securely locked."~~

This clause does not apply to a claim on an auto policy for the whole car being stolen.  I have yet to see an auto policy containing similar wording for the vehicle, but that doesn't mean it won't become common someday, just as some places are making immobilizers mandatory for high risk vehicles before they can be insured, period.

Answer 7

first of all yes your insurance company will cover it as long as you have comprehensive.  My favorite saying is that we cover stupidity every day.  

NEVER EVER EVER lie or  mislead or anyway be dishonest  to your insurance company.  This is insurance fraud and you WILL be caught.

On a theft vehicle especially if it's recovered they will check to see if there was  engine column damage or forced  entry.  even if you try to do it yourself to make it look like you didn't leave the keys in there they will figure this out.

Insurand fraud, prison and fortget the fact that no one will ever want to insure you again is soooooo not worth it.

trust me on this one...please don't listen to the others who tell you to mislead your insurance co.  because the question will be asked!!!!

Good luck

Answer 8

Yes.  You will most certainly be investigated for insurance fraud, but, then again, EVERY theft is investigated.  Most companies do NOT have an exclusion for this.  Read your policy book under "Comprehensive" or "Other than Collision" coverage to be sure.  Also, not telling them as other people have said is fraudulent.  In addition to that, believe when I say they will find out - as they will see what damage was done to the car if recovered, not to mention the fact that they will ask where your keys are and for you to send them into the company.  Therefore, if you were not to tell them, it wouldn't just be nondisclosure, you would have to flat out lie to their faces.

Good luck!