auto insurance question?

I have never seen this type of theft denied, or any policy language that would allow for a denial. You can check your policy, but I doubt there is an exclusion that would allow for the denial.

Two points for the future: quit leaving your keys in your car, and don't chase and jump on a moving car. The vehicle isn't worth your life.

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I've sold thousands of auto policies for millions in premiums, and can't recall a single policy that excluded theft because the keys were left in the car. That said, the cops are gonna ask if you left them in, and the claim report will ask the same question, but unless the policy says something like this:

Coverage:

THEFT, meaning the illegal possession or use of the covered vehicle.

-Except this coverage does not apply if the ignition keys to the covered vehicle were in or on the vehicle when it was stolen.

THAT SAID, specialty auto coverage -for example, for antique or special interest autos- may carry an endorsement that takes away coverage if the keys are left in it. Consult the policy.

But in general, NO, there is no exclusion.

Like everyone else this is a gray spot. As sad as it sounds sometimes it will be up to your claims adjuster. On the one hand it can be covered because it was stolen which will fall under comprehensive (subject to your deductible). On the other hand it can be denied because of personal negligence. They can say that you should not have left your vehicle running when you got out of the car. They would also look at the laws of you state to see if it was illegal to do so.

All in all. I would say just file a claim. That is what insurance is there for. Please make sure to get a police report. This can be key in the claim.

Good luck.

I work in corporate compliance for an auto insurance company. One of my jobs is to help write and review policy language for insurance policies we write in 14 states. I have never seen an exclusion written for someone with keys left in the ignition. I couldn't fathom the b**** it would take for an attorney to put that in a policy. Then the exclusion would have to be reviewed and approved by your state's DOI. Wouldn't that be grounds to decline ALL auto theft claims? They could just claim you left your keys in the car and make you prove them wrong.

That said, if your car's stolen, and there is no sign of forced entry, your company would want to investigate. I imagine your story would be far-fetched to a claims adjuster and they may drag out the investigation for a month or two.

I've never seen the theft declined, just because you left your car running.

I just pulled the ISO pp auto form, there's no exclusion there, either. BUT, that doesn't mean YOUR policy doesn't have the exclusion.

FOR SURE, if you have a collector vehicle, theft is excluded except while the vehicle is in a locked garage. You can't leave it locked at the restaurant parking lot and have theft coverage.

Firstly, if i were you, only read the answer from PROFESIONALS in this field(adjusters and agents) People here like giving you their personal opinions.

Bottom line is it comes down to the policy language in your policy. I hae seen this exact claim be covered before, but it was a headache. Go through the motions. File the police report, file the claim, and answer ALL questions truthfully. You may have to wait a period of time,like 30days after the theft in order to ensure the vehc. is not recovered, before the claim will be paid, assuming it will be paid. Now all of the above is assuming you have Comprehensive or "other than collision" coverage.

Hope all goes well.

This lands smack dab in the middle of a gray area. The insurance company could deny the claim, knowing that there's a good chance you won't bother to take them to court. Even if you did, there's really no sure way to know you'd win, because you did leave the keys in the car. Especially if something similar is listed in your policy. Most folks would probably agree that this is an incredible lack of due diligence, which gives the insurance company grounds to deny this claim.

On the other hand, you never know. They could just turn out to be cool, and pay the claim. Usually that boils down to how much money they make off you and/or your family in a given year.

It really depends on your policy. As long as you file a stolen vehicle report with the police and answer all your insurance company's questions truthfully, they should cover this as a stolen vehicle.

In the future, don't leave your car running and unattended even for a second!

Get your policy out and look under the "exclusions" to see if they will pay. Policies vary from one company to another.