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 go through your day to check whether they're located in a visible place such as in your pocket or a bag you took out of the car.
The most important thing is to contact your insurance company. If you report the loss of your car keys immediately they might be able to be able to cover the cost.
Call Your Insurance Company
One of the most common reasons for car theft is leaving keys inside. Statistics reveal that a car gets stolen every 32 seconds and costs Americans $8 billion per year. This statistic is the reason why it's important to ensure that your key is kept in a secure location. It's a good idea to invest in high quality locks and keep spare keys in a safe place.
If you're not sure where your keys are, it's a good idea to contact the police department. The officers will be able to check their records and offer tips on how to safeguard your vehicle. Additionally, they'll be able to provide you with an identification number for crimes which is needed to file claims with your insurance company.
The next step is to decide whether it's worth filing a car insurance claim for keys that have been lost. The decision will depend on the type 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 which are more expensive to replace than traditional turn-key ignitions.
The majority of auto insurance companies will pay to send an expert locksmith to help gain entry into your vehicle if you've been locked out. However, they won't pay for the cost of creating the new key for you, so you'll have to pay out-of-pocket for that. It's important to remember that your premiums will probably increase in the event of an insurance claim, therefore it's worth weighing the pros and cons before you do this.
You'll need to go to your local auto dealer to have your enhanced key re-paired or re-sequenced to the computer of the car. Depending on your policy and the dealer of your car it could cost hundreds of dollars. 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 when you have a comprehensive insurance coverage under your policy. It's not worth it to risk your premiums increasing and do the extra work. If you don't have coverage that is comprehensive Contact an independent insurance agent to discuss adding it to your vehicle insurance.
Contact the police
In the past the loss of your car key was not a huge issue. A locksmith could create an replacement key on the spot. Certain automobiles of today come with more sophisticated ignition systems, and it could be costly to replace your lost or stolen keys. There are two kinds of ignitions and keys available today: standard turn-key ignitions as well as electronic key fobs, also called smart keys.
It's good to know that most insurance companies cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen keys to cars. This is true whether they are a fob key or a standard key. It's important to notify your insurance provider immediately to allow them to begin looking for your keys. You can also obtain a replacement set without paying out from your pocket.
If your car is on public property when you lose the keys, you must notify the police right away. This will help to deter other people from driving around in the vehicle, and may be able to catch them in the act. Additionally, if someone else tries to use your vehicle and is spotted by the police, they could be fined or even arrested.
It is also advisable to contact your car dealer and tell them that you've lost your keys. Most dealers have access to replacement keys for most automobile models and are able to help you out fast. They can also change the lock's key and give you an additional key that disables the old one, so that it can't be used anymore.
Another important thing to remember is that when your car keys are stolen, it's likely that the thieves might have also taken other valuables such as your wallet or purse. If this is the scenario, it's a great idea to reach out to your credit card and bank to determine if they have any suspicious activities on their records.
There are also a variety of smartphone apps that allow you to track keys that have been stolen or lost. For instance, Tile and AirTag are well-known options that attach to your keys and use GPS technology to find them. You can also ring them to hear your car key nearby or view their current position on maps.
Contact a Locksmith
Losing your keys to your car can be a nightmare. It's already difficult enough to get to school or work without a vehicle and when you lose your keys it can make life extremely difficult. Fortunately, if your car keys are stolen, there are some ways to prevent the worst from occurring.
The first thing you need to do is contact the police. This will stop thieves from stealing or using your vehicle to break into your home. This will help you find the person who took your car keys.
The next step is to call the locksmith. A locksmith will be able to replace your lost car key. They will need to confirm that you are the owner of the vehicle before they are able to make a new key so it is important to have your ID and registration in hand. The locksmith needs to be aware of the VIN and name of the vehicle.
It is also advisable to contact your insurance company. A lot of auto insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a lost vehicle key, so it's worth checking the policy of your insurance company prior to taking this step.
The theft of your car keys is not a pleasant experience however, if you follow these tips you can limit the damage and avoid a lot of headaches. Remember to be patient, and search thoroughly before you give up! And if your car keys get locked inside the ignition, don't attempt to get them out yourself. This could do more harm than good!
Most locksmiths can provide you with an entirely new key in the event that you have an old-fashioned key. If you have a modern key fob, like one that is electronic, it may take a little longer. You will need to visit the dealership. If this is the case, ensure that you provide proof that you are the owner of your vehicle and have an original registration or title. This will accelerate the process significantly. Locksmiths will probably cost less than a dealership. It's always safer to be safe than to be sorry!
Contact Your Car Dealer
Car keys are a vital piece of equipment for your car. Without keys, your car will not start. It's not unusual for thieves to steal your keys as a way of getting into your car. There are ways to stop this.
First, make sure you inform the police right away. This will help police locate the culprit and you will be issued the crime reference number that you can use in the future. It is also recommended to contact your dealer, a locksmith, or another mechanic to get your keys replaced.
You may need to take a key fob to the dealership for deactivation if it is connected to the car's computer. If you have lost your keys in a public, such as a parking lot or a store this will protect your vehicle from being stolen because the burglar won't have a functioning key to access your vehicle.
Depending on the model and maker of your vehicle, certain dealerships can replace keys that have been lost. Dealers are able to delete your existing keys and then attach the new one to the vehicle. This procedure read more is more complicated than just having a professional locksmith create you a new key, so it's best to visit the dealer for this service.
The cost of replacing the keys to your car will vary, but you are likely to receive some assistance from your insurance company in the event that the loss is reported to them promptly. Certain policies for property insurance that cover personal possessions coverage, may also cover the cost of a set of new keys.