If the thought of having your car stolen isn’t enough to get you to take your keys, how about your insurance company not paying if you don’t?
Sen. Linda Gray, RGlendale, is pushing legislation that would allow insurers to refuse to reimburse policyholders if the companies can show that the keys were left anywhere in the vehicle.
Gray’s proposal also would allow insurers to refuse to pay for items stolen from cars in similar circumstances.
The problem, said Gray, is people being "foolish."
Arizona has the secondhighest rate of auto theft in the nation. Enrique Cantu, director of the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority, said his agency estimates that one in five stolen vehicles was unlocked at the time. Gray said the issue affects even conscientious motorists because more stolen cars means higher auto theft insurance rates for everyone. But she conceded that approval of her bill may not mean insurers will lower their premiums.
