What to Do If Your Car Keys Are Stolen
It can be very frustrating to lose your car keys. It's important to stay calm and not panic.
Retrace the steps you followed. This will help you determine whether your car keys were stolen or misplaced. Contact your insurance company. You may be able to file an insurance claim, dependent on the circumstances.
Inform the police
The first thing you have to do if your car keys are stolen is to report it to the police. This will provide you with a crime reference number, that can be used to track the keys and your vehicle. The police might also offer tips on protecting your vehicle, for instance using the wheel lock.
The next step is to try and locate the keys. Make sure you check every pocket, bag, and other places that you could have keys. Also, make sure to look in places that you wouldn't typically look, such as underneath the seat or in your shoes. You can also use an application to locate your keys. Examples include Tile and AirTag. These apps can ring your keys or show you its last known location on a map, but they only work only if the keys are within reach of your phone.
If you have an older key without any fancy chips, you can easily replace it at your local locksmith. If you own a remote or smart key, you'll have to visit the dealership. It is worth checking to see if your insurance covers the cost of a replacement lock and key.
Car thefts that are caused by who leave their keys in their car are on the rise and it is vital to keep them safe at all times. The thieves may employ a device known as relay attack that copies the signal from the car's keyfob. They then wait for a partner to arrive with the equipment to unlock the vehicle. This is a common way of stealing cars in large cities where thieves have the ability to access sophisticated equipment. It is recommended to always keep an extra set of keys in a different location than in your vehicle. Don't leave your license or insurance card in your vehicle, as they are valuable tools for identity thieves. If you do lose your keys, make sure to notify your insurance company and the police as quickly as you can.
Contact your insurance company
If you're a complete car insurance policy owner, it's important to notify your company immediately about the keys missing. This will help keep you safe and prevent other people from utilizing your vehicle. The majority of insurance policies will pay for the cost of a locksmith, or even the dealer of your car to make a new set of keys.
It's stressful to lose your keys. The most you would like to see occur is that you are the one who uses them! Contact your local locksmith and ask them to make a duplicate key. They will also be capable of programming the new key so that your stolen pair no longer works.
Notifying your keys that you lost to the police as soon as you can is always an ideal idea, particularly when they are a smart key. The police will be able to give you an incident reference number and offer further advice about keeping your car secure including installing the wheel lock. They might also be able to guide you on where to buy an additional key.
Before contacting your insurance company, you should make sure that you've checked your bags and pockets for the keys. It's easy to lose keys if you drop it down somewhere or if you reach inside your bag to grab something get more info only to you knock your keys out of it. If you've searched for a while and you are still unable to locate your keys, it's time to call your insurance provider.
The decision on whether to file an insurance claim after the loss of a car key is based on the type of key you own and your deductible. The majority of mechanical car keys are inexpensive and can be replaced by a locksmith at a cost less than your insurance deductible. However, newer keys are typically more expensive and require a purchase from the manufacturer or dealer. In certain instances the cost of a new key could exceed your limit on deductible.
It is also important to be aware that insurance companies may conduct a credit check to determine if fraud is possible. This could result in your claim being rejected, or even a probe. It's therefore important to report your keys as soon as you discover them.
Purchase a new set of keys
If you lose your car keys, it is essential to stay calm and think through what you should do next. There are a variety of ways to get a new set of keys. The majority options are cheaper than you think. You can also use Bluetooth key trackers to keep your keys safe and easily accessible. This is particularly helpful if you tend to lose your car keys frequently. You can locate these types of devices online or in many electronics stores.
The first step is to determine what kind of key you own. If you have an old traditional or mechanical key it can be replaced easily by locksmith. These keys do not have special features or chips, and are only used to lock and unlock the vehicle. You may need to visit an auto locksmith or dealer to replace the transponder key, a type of key that is more advanced and typically installed in the key fob.
In the United States, most vehicles made after 1990 are equipped with a chip inside the key that is linked to the computer in the vehicle. You'll need the VIN number of your car to get a new key. A dealership could make keys for your car, but the cost may be higher than visiting locksmith.
No matter what kind of car key you have, you should always have a spare in the event that you lose one. You will be able return to the road without having to wait around for a locksmith. In addition, you will be able to avoid having to pay for a tow or phone for assistance on the road.
Look in your pockets and other places you might not typically look for keys, such as in your shoes if they're on or in the refrigerator when you've consumed a beer. You could also leave a spare key with an amiable family member, and you might even consider using a Bluetooth key tracker to help keep your car keys safe and easy to find.
Get your car repaired
There are several options if your car keys get stolen. You can file an insurance claim to pay the cost of a new key fob and have your car locks replaced when you don't have a spare, or you can buy a new key at a hardware store for much less than it would cost you to make an insurance claim.
Depending on your type of car and whether it has an electronic key fob or standard turn-key ignition, it is possible that you will have to visit your dealer or auto dealership to get an alternative. The dealer will likely have to order a new key chip and connect it to your vehicle, which could be quite expensive. However your roadside assistance insurance may pay for towing the vehicle to a dealer or service shop that can create the new key, according to Reina.
Locksmiths can be scammers who will charge you more for services that are already covered by your auto insurance. Additionally, some people have been known to use an approach known as "key phishing," where they try to fool the owner into thinking that the vehicle manufacturer is sending them an email asking them to reset their keyless entry code. These scams are very difficult to spot however you can stay clear of them by entering your code only on the app or website of the manufacturer.
Contact your home insurance company to see if there is any additional insurance coverage available for lost car keys. American Family's home insurance, as an instance, covers keys for garage doors and dwelling keys openers without for a minimum deductible. This coverage is not available from all insurers. However, it's worth checking if your current provider provides it or if you are able to add it to your existing policy.