If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
It is stressful to lose your car keys. Before you panic take a deep breath and go through your day to determine whether they're in a safe place like in your pocket or inside bags you've taken out of the car.
Most importantly, contact your insurance company. If you report the loss of your car keys quickly, they may cover the cost.
Call Your Insurance Company
The most frequent reason for car thefts is leaving keys in the vehicle. Statistics show that a car is stolen every 32 seconds and costs Americans $8 billion per year. This statistic is why it's crucial to ensure that your keys is always kept in a secure place. It's a good idea also to invest in high quality locks and hide spare keys.
Contact the police if you are unsure where your keys are. The officers can check their records and give you tips on how to safeguard your vehicle. Additionally, they'll be able to give you a crime reference number, which is necessary for filing an insurance claim with your company.
Then, consider if it's worth submitting claims to your car insurance policy for lost keys. The decision will largely depend on the kind of key you have and the amount it would cost to replace it. For instance, a few modern cars come with electronic key fobs or smart keys that are more expensive replace than traditional turn-key ignitions.
Most auto insurers will pay for locksmiths to help you get into your car when it's locked out. They won't cover the cost of creating a new car key, so you will need to pay for that yourself. Remember that your insurance premiums can increase if you file a claim. It's best to weigh the benefits and disadvantages of filing a claim prior to making the decision.
You'll need to go to your local auto dealer to have your enhanced key repaired or re-sequenced with the car's computer. Depending on your policy and the dealer of your car the process could cost hundreds of dollars. If you lose a highly-enhanced key, it may be worth the effort to file a claim but only when you have a comprehensive insurance coverage on your policy. It's not worth it to risk your premiums rising and doing the extra work. If you don't have comprehensive insurance, contact an independent insurance agent to discuss adding it to your car insurance.
Call the Police
Not too long ago, losing your car keys wasn't a big deal. A locksmith could make an replacement key on the spot. It is expensive to replace keys stolen or lost in certain vehicles due to their more sophisticated ignitions. There are two types of auto keys and ignitions on the market today electronic key fobs (sometimes called smart keys) and traditional turn-key ignitions.
It's important to know that the majority of insurance companies will cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen car keys. This is true whether they're fob keys or a standard one. It is important to inform your insurance company as quickly as possible so that they can begin searching for your keys as well to get a new set without having to pay out of pockets.
If your car is parked on public property and you lose your keys, it is crucial to inform the police right away. This will assist in stopping other people from driving the vehicle and could be capable of catching them in the act. Additionally, if someone else tries to use your car but is spotted by the police, they could be fined or even detained.
You should also call your dealer for car repairs and inform them that you have lost your keys. Many dealers have access keys that can be used to replace the locks on a variety of automobile models and are able to help you out fast. They can also reset your lock and provide you the new key that disables the previous one, meaning that it won't work anymore.
Another aspect to be aware of is that when your car keys are taken, it's possible the thieves may have also stolen other valuables, such as your wallet or purse. If this is the case, you should contact your bank and credit card company to check for suspicious transactions on their records.
You can also use a smartphone application to locate your keys in the event that read more they get stolen or lost. For example, Tile and AirTag are popular choices that attach to your keys and utilize GPS technology to locate them. They can also be rung to sound your car keys nearby or to see their last known location on maps.
Call for a locksmith
The loss of your car keys could be a nightmare. It's difficult enough to get 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 a few things you can do to stop the worst from occurring.
The first thing you must do is call the police. This will help prevent thieves from stealing your car or even using it to enter your home. This will allow you to locate the person who has stolen the keys to your car.
Next, you should call a locksmith. A locksmith can replace your lost vehicle key. They will need to verify that you are the owner of the vehicle prior to being able to create a new key, therefore it is essential to have your identification and registration with you. The locksmith must also be aware of the car's name and VIN.
You should also contact your insurance company. A lot of auto insurance policies cover the cost of replacing a lost vehicle key, so it's worth checking out your policy prior to taking this step.
If you follow these tips you can limit the damage to your vehicle and avoid headaches. Be patient and look around for the culprit before giving up! If your car keys are stuck in the ignition, don't attempt to remove them. It could cause 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, however, you have an electric fob or other advanced technology, the process might take longer and require a visit to the dealership. Bring evidence of ownership, like your registration or title in the event that this is the case. This will speed the process up. It's also likely that you'll pay less for locksmiths than you would at the dealership. It's better to be secure instead of regretting.
Contact Your Car Dealer
Your car keys are a vital piece of equipment. Without them, your car won't start. However, it isn't uncommon for thieves to steal your keys as a means of getting into your car. There are a few things you can do to stop this from happening.
Report the theft immediately to police. This will enable police to track down the thief, and you will receive an identification code for crime that you can use in the future. You can also contact an locksmith or a mechanic for a replacement key.
You may need to take your key fob to the dealership for deactivation in the event that it is connected to the car's computer. 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 isn't be taken away because the thief won't have a functioning key to enter it with.
Some car dealerships offer services to replace your lost keys, depending on the manufacturer and model of your vehicle. Dealers are capable of removing your current keys and then connect the new one to the vehicle. It's more complicated for a locksmith to create a replacement key than to go to the dealer.
If you notify the loss as quickly as you can your insurance company might be able to assist. Certain policies for property insurance, which include personal possessions coverage, could also provide for the cost of keys that are new.