If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
When you lose your keys, it's an extremely stressful experience. Take your time before you panic, and go about your day to see if you can find them. They may be in your pocket, or inside a bag that you took from your car.
Most importantly, contact your insurance company. They will usually cover the cost of replacing your car keys if notify them promptly.
Call Your Insurance Company
The most frequent reason for car thefts is leaving keys in the vehicle. According to the statistics, a car gets stolen every 32 seconds, costing Americans more than $8 billion every year. This is the reason it's so important to ensure that your keys is kept in a secure location. It's also a good idea to invest in high-quality locks and store spare keys in a safe place.
Contact the police if are unsure where your keys are. The officers can check their records and give you advice on how to protect your vehicle. They can also give you a crime number required to make a claim with an insurance company.
Then, consider whether it's worth filing an insurance claim through your car insurance policy for lost keys. The decision will depend on the type of key you own and how much it will cost to replace it. For instance, some modern cars have electronic key fobs or smart keys that are more expensive replace than traditional turn-key ignitions.
Most auto insurance companies will pay for a locksmith to come to your vehicle in the event that you've been locked out. They won't pay for the cost of making you a new car key and you'll have to cover the cost yourself. Be aware that your insurance premiums may increase if you make a claim. It is best to consider the advantages and disadvantages of filing a claim before making the decision.
If your car has an upgraded key that requires to be re-sequenced using the car's computer or re-paired with the barrels, you'll have go to your dealership to have this done. Depending on the policy you have and the dealer for your car the process could cost hundreds of dollars. If you lose an enhanced key, you may want to make a claim if the policy includes comprehensive coverage. It's not worth the risk of your premiums increasing and do the extra work. If you don't have coverage that is comprehensive get in touch with an independent insurance agent to discuss adding it to your car insurance.
Call the Police
In the past the loss of your car key was not a major issue. A locksmith could make an replacement key on the spot. It is expensive to replace keys that are lost or stolen in some automobiles due to more sophisticated ignitions. There are two kinds of ignitions and keys available today: standard turn-key ignitions and electronic keys fobs, sometimes referred to as smart keys.
It's a good idea to know that the majority of insurance companies cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen car keys. This is true regardless of whether they are a fob key or a standard key. It is important to inform your insurance company as quickly as possible so that they can start looking for your keys, and so that you can get a new set without having to pay out from your pocket.
It is crucial to notify the police immediately if your car is located in a public area in the event that you lose your keys. This will assist in stopping others from driving around in the vehicle, and may be likely to catch them in the act. If someone else uses your car, and is caught by the police, they could be fined, or even arrested.
Inform your dealer of you've lost keys. Dealers can usually help you quickly if they've replacement keys for your vehicle model. They can also change the lock's key and give you an additional key that disables the previous one, meaning that it can't be used in the future.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the car keys you have stolen, it's possible that the thieves could have also stolen other valuables, such as your purse or wallet. If this is the situation, it's a good idea to contact your bank and credit card to determine if they have any suspicious activity on their records.
You can also use a smartphone app to track down your keys in case they are lost or stolen. For example, Tile and AirTag are popular choices that attach to your keys and use GPS technology to locate them. You can also call them to hear the car key in your vicinity or view their current location on maps.
Contact a Locksmith
Losing your car keys can be a major nightmare. It's hard enough to go to school or work without a car, but when you lose your keys it can make life extremely difficult. Fortunately, if your vehicle keys get stolen, there are some steps you can take to stop the worst from occurring.
The police should be your first step. This will prevent thieves from stealing or using your car to break into your house. It will also help locate the person who stole your car keys should they do this.
The next step is to contact the locksmith. A locksmith can repair 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, therefore it is essential to have your identification and registration in hand. The locksmith will also need to know the vehicle's name and VIN.
It is also advisable to 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 own policy before making this call.
If you follow these guidelines, you can reduce the damage to your vehicle and avoid headaches. Just remember to be patient and do your research thoroughly before giving up! And if your car keys get stuck in the ignition, don't try to get them out yourself. This could do more harm than good!
If you have an old-fashioned key, most locksmiths can provide a replacement in a matter of minutes. If, however, you have an electronic fob or any other modern technology, the process could take longer and require a visit to the dealership. If this is the case, ensure you bring proof that you are the owner of the vehicle or an original registration or title. This will accelerate the process significantly. Locksmiths will probably charge you less than a dealership. It's always better to be safe rather than sorry!
Call Your Car Dealer
Car keys are an essential piece of equipment for your car. Without them, your car won't start. However, it's not unusual for thieves to steal your keys as a method of getting into your car. Luckily, there are things you can do to stop this from occurring.
The first step is to report the theft to the police right away. This will help police track the thief and will give you a crime reference number to use in the future. It is also recommended to contact your dealership, a locksmith or another mechanic to have your keys replaced.
If you have a key fob that connects to the computer in your car and you want to bring it into the dealership to have it deactivated. If you have lost your keys in public, such as a parking lot or in a store, this will prevent your car from being stolen since the criminal will not have a working key to gain access to your car.
Some car dealerships offer services to replace your keys that are lost, based on the manufacturer and model of your vehicle. Dealers are able to delete your existing keys and then connect the new one to the vehicle. It's more complicated to have a locksmith make a replacement key than to go to the dealer.
The cost of replacing your car keys will differ however you will likely receive some assistance from your insurance company in the event that car stolen with keys in it the loss is reported as soon as possible. Some property insurance policies that cover personal possessions coverage, may also provide for the cost of a set of new keys.