Now that the colder weather has begun to arrive cities and municipalities are once again reminding residents NOT to start their cars and leave them to warm up outside. Because leaving your vehicle with the keys in it, running, is a pretty easy crime for someone who wants a warm ride on those chilly mornings and evenings. Want another reason why you shouldn't leave your car to warm up with the keys inside? Your insurance coverage might not cover the theft, because you left the keys inside.

The City of Minneapolis recently sent out an alert to residents that car thefts were on the rise, and one of the ways to help reduce that number of would-be thefts, would be to not idle your vehicle in order to warm it up in the morning.

Image Credit: Paul Shea/TSM
Image Credit: Paul Shea/TSM
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Inside the notice from the City of Minneapolis was one sentence that stood out to me. Did you catch the sentence about your insurance possibly being invalidated because your car was stolen with the keys in it?

While it's true that some insurance companies won't process your stolen vehicle claim, however that doesn't happen often as Grinnel Mutual Insurance's website states "If you have comprehensive insurance for the car (sometimes called “other than collision”), insurance may cover the theft — whether the keys were left in it or not."

Cornerstone Automotive in Plymouth Minnesota puts it this way: "If you have a comprehensive insurance plan, then you are most likely covered if your vehicle is stolen and the keys are inside. However, this will vary from plan to plan and the specifics of your circumstances."

So, if you don't have the right coverage, you are out of luck and out of a way to get to work.

Maybe you should check out your auto policy, and while you certainly don't want to dare someone to take your car, it would be some nice peace of mind knowing that you are covered should the unexpected happen.

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