If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
It can be stressful to lose your car keys. Before you panic take a deep breath and take a walk around your day to see whether they're in a safe place such as in your pocket or inside bags you've taken out of the car.
Contact your insurance company. If you notify your insurance company of the loss of your car keys quickly they might be able to pay for the loss.
Call Your Insurance Company
One of the most frequent reasons for car theft is putting keys in the car. Statistics reveal that a car gets stolen every 32 seconds and costs Americans $8 billion each year. This statistic shows why it's important to keep your keys in a secure location. It's also recommended to invest in high-quality locks and keep spare keys hidden away.
If you're unsure where your keys are, it's a good idea to contact the police department. The officers can check their records and provide further tips on how to protect your vehicle. They will also be able provide you with a crime number which is required to submit a claim to an insurance company.
Next, decide whether it's worth filing a claim with your car insurance in case you lose keys. The decision will mostly depend on the kind of key you have and how much it would cost to replace it. For instance, a few modern vehicles have electronic key fobs or smart keys that are more expensive to replace than traditional turn-key ignitions.
The majority of auto insurance companies will pay to send locksmiths to help you access your vehicle when it's locked out. However, they don't pay for the cost of constructing an entirely new key for you, which means you'll have to pay out-of-pocket for that. It's important to note that your premiums will probably go up when you file a claim, so it's worth weighing the advantages and disadvantages before doing so.
You'll need to visit your local dealer to have your upgraded key repaired or re-sequenced with the computer of the car. This could cost hundreds of dollars based on your insurance policy and dealer. If you lose an enhanced key, you may want to make a claim if your policy provides comprehensive coverage. It's not worth the risk of your premiums increasing and do the extra work. If you don't have comprehensive coverage Contact an independent insurance agent to discuss adding it to your vehicle insurance.
Contact the police
In the past the time of losing your car keys was not a huge issue. You could simply call locksmiths and have a new key made on the on the spot. It can be costly to replace keys that are lost or stolen in some vehicles due to their more sophisticated ignitions. There are two types of ignitions and keys available today: standard turn-key ignitions and electronic key fobs, also known as smart keys.
It's a good idea to know that most insurance companies cover the cost of replacing stolen or lost keys to cars. This is true whether they are a fob key or a standard key. The most important thing to do is report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible so that they can start looking for your keys and also so that you can obtain a new set without having to pay out of pocket.
If your car is parked on public property and you lose the keys, you must notify the police immediately. They can then deter others from driving your car and even catch them in action. In addition, if anyone else tries to use your car but is spotted by the police, they could be fined or even detained.
You should also call your car dealer and inform them that you have lost your keys. Dealers are usually able to assist you quickly if they've replacement keys for your vehicle model. They can also rekey your lock and provide you with a key that disables the previous one so that it will no longer work.
If your car keys are stolen, it's likely that the thieves have also taken your wallet or purse. If this is the case you must contact your bank and credit card to determine if there are suspicious transactions in their records.
There are also several smartphone apps that can be used to track keys that are lost or stolen. For example, Tile and AirTag are well-known options that attach to your keys and employ GPS technology to locate them. They can also be rung to hear your car keys being near or to show their last known location on maps.
Call a Locksmith
The loss of your car keys could be a nightmare. It's hard enough to go to school or work without a car and when you lose your keys it can make life extremely difficult. If your car keys get stolen, there are a few steps you can take to avoid the worst from happening.
The police should be your first step. This will prevent thieves from taking your vehicle or trying to break into your home. It can also help you locate the person who took your car keys if they steal your keys.
The next step is to call an locksmith. A locksmith can replace your lost car keys. Before they can create a key, they will be required to verify the ownership of the vehicle. It is therefore important to bring your ID and registration. The locksmith needs to know the VIN as well as the name of the vehicle.
Finally, you should call your insurance company. A lot of auto insurance policies cover the cost of replacing a stolen car key, so it's worth checking out your policy prior to taking this step.
If you follow these tips you can minimize the damage to your vehicle and avoid headaches. Be patient and look around for the culprit before giving up! If your car keys are stuck in the ignition, do not attempt to take them out. This could cause more harm than good.
If you have an old-fashioned key, most locksmiths will be able to replace it immediately. However, if you have an electronic fob or any other modern technology, the process could take longer and may require a visit to the dealer. Bring evidence of ownership, such as your registration or title, in the event that it is. This will accelerate the process significantly. You'll also likely pay less to locksmiths than at the dealership. It's better to be secure instead of sorry.
Contact Your Car Dealer
Car keys are an essential piece of equipment that you can use for your vehicle. Your car will not start without them. It's not uncommon for thieves to steal your keys as a method to gain entry into your car. Fortunately, there are steps you can do to avoid this from occurring.
Report the theft as soon as you can to police. This will allow police to track down the thief and you will be issued an identification code for crime which you can use in the future. It is also recommended to contact your dealer, a locksmith, or another mechanic to get your keys replaced.
If you have the click here key fob which connects to the computer in your car it is possible to bring it into the dealership to have it deactivated. If you've lost your keys in a public like a parking lot or a shop, it will stop your car from being stolen, because the burglar won't have a functioning key to gain access to your car.
Based on the model and maker of your vehicle, certain dealerships will replace your lost keys. Dealers will be in a position to remove your existing keys and then connect the new one to the vehicle. It's more difficult to get a locksmith to make an replacement key than go to the dealer.
If you report the loss as soon as possible your insurance company might be able to help. Certain property insurance policies that cover personal possessions coverage, may also cover the cost of keys that are new.