If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
It can be stressful when you lose your car keys. Take an exhale before you panic and take a walk to check if you can locate them. They could be in your purse, or inside a bag you removed from your car.
Contact your insurance company. They will usually pay for the replacement of your car keys if report it promptly.
Call Your Insurance Company
One of the most common causes of car theft is leaving keys inside. Statistics indicate that a car is stolen every 32 seconds and costs Americans $8 billion per year. This is why it's crucial to ensure that your key is always kept in a secure location. It's a good idea also to invest in high quality locks and hide spare keys.
If you're not sure where your keys are, it's best to contact the police department. The officers can check their records and offer further tips on how to protect your vehicle. They will also be able to provide you with a crime code which is required to file a claim with an insurance company.
The next step is to decide whether it's worth filing an insurance claim on your car for keys that have been lost. The decision will depend on what type of key you have and how much it will cost to replace it. Some modern vehicles come with electronic keys, also known as smart keys which are more expensive to replace as compared to traditional turn-key ignitions.
The majority of auto insurance companies will cover a locksmith to come to your vehicle if you've been locked out. However, they won't pay for the cost of constructing a new key for you, so you'll have to pay for that out-of-pocket. It's important to remember that your premiums will probably go up when you file a claim, so it's important to weigh the pros and cons before doing the procedure.
If your car is equipped with an enhanced key that needs to be re-sequenced with the computer of the car or re-paired to the barrels, you'll have go to your dealership to do this. Based on your policy and the car dealer, this could cost hundreds of dollars. If you lose your enhanced key, you may need to file a claim if your policy covers comprehensive insurance. It's not worth the risk of the cost of your insurance rising and to do the additional work. Contact an independent agent to discuss adding the full coverage of your auto insurance.
Call the Police
In the past the time of losing your car keys wasn't a big problem. You could simply call a locksmith and have a new key made on the moment. Certain cars today, however, have much more advanced ignition systems, and it could be quite expensive to replace lost or stolen keys. There are two kinds of ignitions and keys available today: standard turn-key ignitions and electronic keys fobs, sometimes referred to as smart keys.
The good news is that most insurance companies will pay for the cost of replacing a lost or stolen set of car keys no matter if it's a fob or standard key. It is important to inform your insurance company as soon as possible so that they can begin searching for your keys as well to get a new set without having to pay out from your pockets.
It is important to inform the police immediately if you're driving is stationed in a public space in the event that you lose your keys. That way, they can assist in preventing other people from driving around in the vehicle, and may be likely to catch them in the act. If someone else uses your vehicle and is subsequently caught by the police, they could be fined or even detained.
It is also advisable to contact your car dealer and tell them that you have lost your keys. The majority of dealers have access to replacement keys for all types of vehicles and can usually help you out quickly. They can also rekey your lock and give you the new key that disables the old one, so that it can't be used for any longer.
Another aspect to be aware of is that when your car keys are stolen, it's possible that the thieves could have also stolen other valuables, such as your wallet or purse. If this is the case you need to contact your bank and credit card to determine if there are suspicious transactions in their records.
You can also use a smartphone application to track down your keys if they 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. You can also call them to hear the car key in your vicinity or see their last known location on a map.
Contact a locksmith
The loss of your car keys could be a nightmare. It's already difficult enough to get to school or work without a vehicle, but when you lose your keys it can make things incredibly difficult. If your car keys have been stolen it is possible to take steps to prevent the most traumatic scenario.
The first thing you need to do is call the police. This will stop thieves from taking your vehicle or using it to break into your home. This will allow you to locate the person who took the keys to your car.
The next step is to call the locksmith. A locksmith can repair your vehicle's key. They will need to verify that you are the owner of the vehicle before they can make a new key so it is important to have your identification and registration in hand. The locksmith must know the VIN as well as the name of the vehicle.
It is also advisable to contact your insurance company. Many auto insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a stolen car key, so it's worth checking the policy of your insurance company prior to making this call.
If you adhere to these tips, you can limit the damage to your car and avoid headaches. Remember to be patient and search thoroughly 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.
If you have a traditional key, most locksmiths will be able to replace it immediately. If you have a modern key fob, like one that is electronic it could take a bit longer. You'll need to visit the dealer. Bring evidence of ownership, such as your registration or title in the event that this is the case. This will speed the process up. A locksmith will likely cost less than a dealership. It's better to be cautious instead of sorry.
Call Your Car Dealer
Your car keys are a vital piece of equipment. Your car won't start without them. However, it's not unusual for thieves to steal your keys as a way of getting into your car. There are ways to avoid this.
The first step is to notify the police right away. This will enable police to locate the culprit and you will be issued the crime reference number which you can use in the future. You can also call a locksmith or another mechanic for a replacement key.
If you have a key fob that connects to the computer in your car it is possible to bring get more info it into the dealership in order to have it removed. If you've lost your keys in a public area such as a parking lot or a retail store it will ensure that your car won't be taken away because the thief will not have a functioning key to access it.
Based on the model and maker of your car, some dealerships will replace lost keys. Dealers can remove your old keys and pair the new key to the vehicle. It's more difficult for a locksmith to create the replacement key rather than go to the dealer.
If you notify the loss as soon as possible, your insurance company may be able to assist. Certain property insurance policies, which include personal possessions insurance, may also cover the cost of a set of new keys.