If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
If you lose your keys, it could be a stressful experience. Take your time before you panic and walk through the day to see if you can find them. They may be in your purse, or inside a bag you took from your car.
The most important thing is to contact your insurance company. If you report the loss of your car keys promptly, they may be able to cover the cost.
Call Your Insurance Company
One of the most common 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 per year. This figure shows why it's important to keep your key in a secure place. It's a good idea also to invest in high-quality locks and keep spare keys in a safe place.
Contact the police if are unsure where your keys are. They can look over their records and offer advice on how to protect your vehicle. They will also be able provide you with a crime number required to make a claim with an insurance company.
The next step is to decide whether it's worth making an insurance claim on your car for lost keys. The decision will depend on the type of key you own and how much it would cost to replace it. For instance, a few modern cars have electronic key fobs or smart keys that are more expensive to replace than traditional turn-key ignitions.
Most auto insurers will pay to dispatch a locksmith to help you gain entry into your vehicle if it's locked out. They won't cover the cost of creating a new car key, so you will need to cover the cost yourself. It's important to remember that your premiums will probably go up in the event of a claim, so it's worth weighing the advantages and disadvantages before doing the procedure.
You'll need to go to your local auto dealer to have your enhanced key re-paired or transferred to the computer of the car. This could cost hundreds of dollars based on your insurance policy and dealer. If you lose a highly-enhanced key and you are unable to replace it, it might be worth the effort to file a claim, but only if you have comprehensive coverage in your policy. Otherwise, it's not worth the extra effort and risk of premiums increasing. Contact an independent agent to discuss the possibility of adding complete coverage to your car insurance.
Contact the police
Not too long ago, losing your car keys wasn't such a big deal. A locksmith could make an alternative key on the spot. Some automobiles today have more sophisticated ignition systems, and it could be expensive to replace your keys that have been stolen or lost. There are two types of ignitions and keys available today: standard turn-key ignitions as well as electronic key fobs, sometimes referred to as smart keys.
It's good to know that the majority of insurance companies will pay for the cost of replacing lost or stolen car keys. This is true regardless of whether they're fob keys or a standard one. It's crucial to inform your insurance company immediately so they can begin searching for your keys. You can also get an alternative set of keys without having to pay out of pocket.
It is important to inform the police immediately if your vehicle is located in a public area in the event that you lose your keys. This will deter people from driving around in your car and could even be able to catch them in the act. If someone else uses your car and is subsequently caught by the police, they could be fined or even arrested.
Tell your car dealer that you've lost your keys. Most dealers have access to keys that can be used to replace the locks on a variety of types of vehicles and can usually assist you quickly. They can also rekey your lock and give you the new key that will disable the previous one, meaning that it will not work anymore.
Another aspect to be aware of is that the car keys you have taken, it's possible the thieves may have also stolen other valuables such as your wallet or purse. If this is the situation you must contact your bank and credit card to check for suspicious transactions in their records.
There are a number of smartphone apps that can be used to track keys that have been stolen or lost. Tile and AirTag, for example, are popular options which can be attached to your keys using GPS technology. You can also ring them to hear your car keys nearby or view their current location on a map.
Contact a locksmith
Losing your car keys can be a major nightmare. It's already difficult enough to get to work or school without a car, but when you lose your keys, it can make life incredibly difficult. If your car keys get stolen there are a few steps to avoid the worst.
Contacting the police is the first step. This will stop thieves from taking your car keys or using your car to gain entry into your home. This will help you find the person who took your keys to your car.
The next step is to call a locksmith. Locksmiths can replace your lost vehicle key. They will need to verify that you are the owner of the vehicle prior to being able to make a new key, so it is important to have your identification and registration with you. The locksmith also needs to know the name of the vehicle and VIN.
Then, you must contact your insurance company. Many auto insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a lost car key, so it's worth checking out your policy prior to taking this step.
Car keys stolen is never fun however, if you follow these tips to minimize the damage and avoid a lot of headaches. Remember to be patient and look for the keys before giving up! If your car keys are stuck in the ignition, do not try to remove them. This could cause more harm than good.
Most locksmiths can provide you with a new key if you have an old-fashioned key. If you have a new key fob, for instance one that is electronic it might take a bit longer. You'll need to visit the dealership. If that's the case, be sure to bring proof that you're the owner of your vehicle, such as the original registration or title. This will read more make the process easier. You'll likely pay less for locksmiths than you would at the dealership. It's better to be safe instead of sorry.
Call Your Car Dealer
Your car keys are a vital piece of equipment. Your car won't start without keys. It's not common for thieves to take your keys as a method to gain entry into your car. There are a few things you can do to avoid this from occurring.
Report the theft immediately to police. This will assist police in tracking the thief and will give you the crime reference number to use in the future. You can also call the locksmith or any other mechanic for a replacement key.
If you have an electronic key fob that connects to the computer in your car and you want to bring it into the dealership to be deactivated. If you have lost your keys in a public like a parking garage, or a store it will stop your car from being stolen since the burglar has no working key to gain access to your car.
Based on the model and maker of your vehicle, certain dealerships can replace keys that have been lost. Dealers can remove the keys you have previously used and then connect the new key to the vehicle. This procedure is more complicated than just hiring a professional locksmith to make you a new key, so it is recommended to go to the dealer for this service.
The cost of replacing your car keys can differ, but you will likely receive some assistance from your insurance company in the event that the loss is reported promptly. Additionally, some insurance policies on property that offer personal possessions insurance may be in a position to cover the cost of purchasing a new set of keys, too.