Keyless Car Theft is Surging: Will Your Auto Insurance Cover a "Relay Attack"?

You pull into your driveway after a long day, lock your car with a quick tap of the door handle, drop your keys on the kitchen counter, and go to sleep. The next morning, you walk outside and your car is simply gone. There is no shattered glass on the pavement. There was no screeching alarm in the middle of the night. Your car vanished in absolute silence.

If this sounds like a scene from a high-tech heist movie, it isn't. It is the new, everyday reality of auto theft in 2026.

Thieves have entirely abandoned crowbars and slim jims. Instead, they are using cheap, readily available electronic devices to hack the very convenience features we love. It is called a "Relay Attack," and it is causing an unprecedented surge in vehicle thefts across the country.

But when you call your insurance company to report a stolen vehicle where there is zero physical evidence of a break-in, what happens next? Will your policy cover a high-tech hacking, or will they accuse you of leaving the keys in the ignition?

Here is everything you need to know about keyless car theft, how the insurance industry handles these claims, and what you must do to protect your vehicle tonight.

Part 1: How a "Relay Attack" Actually Works

To understand your insurance coverage, you first have to understand how thieves are exploiting your vehicle's technology.

If you have a car with a push-button start and keyless entry, your key fob is constantly emitting a low-frequency, short-range radio signal. When you walk within a few feet of your car, the vehicle recognizes the signal, unlocks the doors, and allows the engine to start.

A relay attack involves two thieves working together using devices known as "relay amplifiers and transmitters" (often bought online for under $100).

Here is how the silent theft happens:

1. The Scanner: Thief A walks up to your front door or stands near the exterior wall of your home, holding a signal amplifier.

2. The Relay: The amplifier picks up the faint radio signal emitting from your key fob sitting on the kitchen counter or hanging by the front door inside your house.

3. The Transmitter: Thief A relays that boosted signal to Thief B, who is standing next to your car holding a transmitter.

4. The Theft: Your car is tricked into thinking the physical key fob is right next to it. The doors unlock, Thief B gets in, presses the start button, and drives away. The entire process takes less than 60 seconds.

By the time you wake up, your vehicle is likely sitting in a shipping container or is already being stripped for parts in a chop shop.

Part 2: The Insurance Reality of "Keyless" Theft

When a victim discovers their car has been stolen via a relay attack, panic sets in. That panic is often compounded by the fear that their insurance company won't believe them. After all, if the car was stolen without the keys and without a broken window, how do you prove you didn't just leave it running unlocked?

The good news is that the insurance industry is intimately aware of this technological epidemic.

Does Comprehensive Coverage Protect You?

Yes. If your vehicle is stolen via a relay attack or key fob cloning, it is covered under the Comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy.

Comprehensive coverage (often referred to as "other than collision") is designed to financially protect you against unpredictable events, including fire, vandalism, falling objects, and theft. The specific method the thieves used to steal the car—whether they used a tow truck, a crowbar, or a cloned radio frequency—does not void your comprehensive coverage.

If the car is never recovered, the insurance company will pay you the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of the vehicle at the time it was stolen, minus your chosen deductible.

The Missing Key Requirement

While a relay attack is covered, be prepared for a slightly more intense claims investigation. Because fraudulent theft claims (where owners intentionally "lose" their cars for an insurance payout) are also on the rise, adjusters are trained to look for red flags.

The insurance adjuster will almost certainly demand that you hand over all original sets of keys/fobs that came with the vehicle. If you claim your car was stolen via a high-tech relay attack, but you can only produce one of the two key fobs, the adjuster will immediately suspect that you simply left the second fob inside the car.

Warning: If an investigation determines you left a key fob inside the vehicle, some insurance carriers will significantly delay the payout, and in strict cases, may attempt to deny the claim citing extreme negligence.

Part 3: Localizing the Threat: The Reality of 7 Mile Road

The threat of auto theft is not distributed evenly; it is highly localized. If you live or commute in Metro Detroit, you already know that vehicle security requires constant vigilance.

Take the bustling commercial and residential corridors along 7 Mile Road in Detroit, MI, for example. From the dense neighborhoods near Livernois to the busy intersections near Gratiot, this major artery sees heavy daily traffic and varying levels of property crime. Thieves specifically target busy residential streets where cars are parked in driveways close to the home's front door—the perfect setup for a quick, 60-second relay attack.

If you own a highly targeted vehicle (like a late-model Dodge Charger, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, or high-end Kia/Hyundai models) and park it in a driveway near 7 Mile Road, relying solely on your factory locks is a massive gamble. You need a proactive strategy to protect your asset and prevent a lengthy, stressful insurance claim.

Part 4: How to Stop a Relay Attack Tonight

The most frustrating part of a relay attack is how easily it can be prevented. You do not need to install an expensive aftermarket alarm system. You just need to block the signal.

Here are three cheap, highly effective ways to stop keyless car theft:

1. The Faraday Pouch: This is the most effective solution. A Faraday pouch is a small, inexpensive bag lined with metallic material that completely blocks radio frequencies. When you get home, put your key fob in the pouch. The thieves' amplifiers will not be able to detect the signal, rendering their tech useless.

2. Move the Keys: Do not leave your key fob hanging on a hook right next to the front door or sitting on a windowsill. Thieves rely on the fob being close to the exterior walls of the house. Store your keys in the center of the home.

3. The Old-School Steering Wheel Lock: High-tech thieves rely on speed and silence. Using a visible, heavy-duty mechanical steering wheel lock (like "The Club") forces the thief to use power tools, creating noise and taking time. Most relay attackers will simply move on to an easier target.

Conclusion: Review Your Policy Before It's Gone

The technology powering our cars will continue to advance, and the tactics used by thieves will evolve right alongside it. While you can take proactive steps to secure your key fob, the ultimate safety net is a robust insurance policy.

Do not assume you are fully covered just because you have insurance. If you only carry basic, state-minimum liability insurance, you have zero coverage for theft. You must specifically carry Comprehensive coverage to be reimbursed for a stolen vehicle.

If you are unsure if your current policy covers high-tech theft, or if you are worried that your comprehensive deductibles are too high, it is time to talk to a local expert. The professionals at L.A. Insurance understand the specific theft risks facing Detroit drivers. They can review your current declarations page, ensure you have the proper comprehensive limits in place, and help you lock down the coverage you need to sleep soundly tonight.