A stolen vehicle is just that, a stolen vehicle. Were the keys accidentally locked in the car? Had a locksmith been called to unlock the vehicle and get the keys back to the reg. owner? There will be many questions that would require an answer for the claims adjuster investigating the claim. Was this a regular habit of the insured to leave the keys locked in the vehicle? Were they locked in the car so that another individual having a remote to unlock the vehicle and use the car at their discretion implied? Was a police report filed in a timely manner of the theft?
If the keys were habitually locked inside the vehicle, it would obviously, not be a reasonable or prudent thing to do. However, if the keys were left in the vehicle by accident, and someone broke-in, and there is evidence of this break-in when or if the vehicle is recovered it will obviously lend credence to the insured's loss statement. Either way, the insured can still file the claim and the insurance company will still have to cover the loss, pay the insured for the market value of the vehicle less any comprehensive coverage deductible. Most likely, future claims on the policy of this particular insured will be flagged and investigated thoroughly because of this loss. Suggestion: read your auto policy coverages and exclusions, and be informed of what your policy does and does not cover. Most auto policy also designate that a police report must be filed within a certain time frame of the theft of a vehicle.
If theft occurs from an individual or relative resident of the home gaining access to the keys that are left on a counter-top or hanging on a key ring, In this case, if the vehicle is taken, it is considered "implied consent" by virtue of the keys access to residents of the household. Every auto policy has different exclusions noted for certain circumstances and existing conditions. Therefore, I again suggest all insureds read those policies and exclusions policies.
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