If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
It can be stressful when you lose your car keys. Before you panic, take a deep breath, and take a walk around your day to determine whether they're located in a visible place like in your pocket or the bag you pulled out of the car.
Contact your insurance company. If you report the loss of your car keys immediately, they may cover the cost.
Call Your Insurance Company
One of the most common reasons for car theft is putting keys in the car. Statistics indicate that a car is stolen every 32 seconds, costing Americans $8 billion each year. This statistic is the reason it's so important to make sure your key is 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 don't know where your keys are. The officers can check their records and provide suggestions on how to secure your vehicle. They will also be able provide you with a crime number which is required to submit a claim to an insurance company.
The next step is to determine whether it's worth making a car insurance claim for lost keys. The decision will depend on the kind of key you have and how much it would cost to replace it. Some modern vehicles come with electronic keys or smart keys, which are more expensive to replace as compared to traditional turn-key ignitions.
The majority of auto insurance companies will pay for locksmiths to visit your vehicle in the event that you've been locked out. However, they don't cover the cost of making the new key for you, meaning you'll need to pay for that out-of-pocket. Be aware that your insurance premiums may increase if you file a claim. It is best to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of filing a claim before making an informed decision.
You'll need to go to your local auto dealer to have your upgraded key re-paired or transferred to the car's computer. This could cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on your policy and car dealer. If you lose a highly-enhanced key it could be worth the effort to file a claim but only if you have comprehensive coverage in your policy. 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 complete coverage to your car insurance.
Contact the police
Not too long ago the loss of your car keys was not a big deal. A locksmith could create an alternative key right on the spot. It can be costly to replace keys that have been stolen or lost in certain cars because they have more sophisticated ignitions. There are two kinds of auto ignitions and keys on the market today Electronic key fobs (sometimes called smart keys) and traditional turn-key ignitions.
The good news is that most insurance companies will cover the cost of replacing a lost or stolen set of keys for cars, whether it's a fob or a standard key. It is important to notify your insurance company immediately so they can begin looking for your keys. You can also purchase a new set without having to pay out of pocket.
It is crucial to notify the police immediately if your car is parked in a public place in the event that you lose your keys. That way, they can assist in stopping other people from driving the vehicle and may be capable of catching them in the act. If someone else uses your vehicle and is subsequently caught by the police, then they could be fined, or even arrested.
You should also call your car dealer and tell them that you have lost your keys. The majority of dealers have access to keys that can be used to replace the locks on a variety of models of cars and are able to help you out fast. They can also rekey the lock and give you a key that disables the previous one so that it will no longer work.
If your car keys are stolen, it's likely that the thieves also taken your purse or wallet. If this is read more the case you need to contact your bank and credit card to determine if there are suspicious transactions in their records.
There are also several apps for smartphones that can be used to track your keys that have been stolen or lost. Tile and AirTag for instance, are popular choices that connect to your keys with GPS technology. You can also ring them to hear the car key in your vicinity or view their last known position on maps.
Contact a locksmith
The loss of your keys to your car can be an absolute nightmare. The loss of your car keys could make it difficult to get to work or school. If your car keys get stolen, there are a few ways to avoid the worst from happening.
The first thing you need to do is contact the police. This will prevent thieves from taking your car keys or using your vehicle to gain entry into your home. It will also help you find the person who took your car keys should they steal your keys.
The next step is to call a locksmith. A locksmith will be able to replace your lost car key. Before they can create keys, they'll be required to verify the ownership of the vehicle. It is therefore important to bring your ID and registration. The locksmith must know the VIN as well as the name of the vehicle.
Finally, you should call your insurance company. Examine your policy to determine whether it covers the cost of replacing lost keys.
If you follow these tips you can minimize the damage to your car and avoid headaches. Remember to be patient and do your research before giving up! And if your car keys are stuck inside the ignition, do not try to remove them yourself. This could cause more harm than good.
If you have an old-fashioned key, most locksmiths can replace it right away. If, however, you have an electronic fob or another advanced technology, the process could take longer and require an appointment with the dealership. If that's the case, be sure to bring proof that you are the car owner and have the original registration or title. This will make the process much easier. It's also likely that you'll pay less to a locksmith than you would at a dealership. It's always better to be safe rather than regretting!
Contact Your Car Dealer
Car keys are a vital piece of equipment for your car. Without keys, your car will not start. It is not uncommon for thieves to steal your keys to gain entry into your car. Fortunately, there are steps you can do to stop this from happening.
Report the theft as soon as you can to police. This will assist police in tracking the thief and will give you a crime reference number to 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 when it is connected to your car's computer. If you've lost your keys in a public space such as a parking lot or in a shop it will help ensure that your car isn't be stolen since the person who stole it has no functioning key to use to get inside.
Depending on the model and maker of your car, some dealerships will replace your lost keys. Dealers can remove the keys you have previously used and then connect the new key to the vehicle. It's more complicated to get a locksmith to make an replacement key than visit an agent.
If you notify the loss as soon as you can your insurance company might be able to help. Some property insurance policies, which include personal possessions coverage, may also cover the cost of keys that are new.