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 walk through your day to see whether they're in a safe place, like in your pocket or inside the bag you pulled out of the car.
Contact your insurance company. If you report the loss of your car keys promptly 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 putting keys in the vehicle. According to research that a car is stolen every 32 seconds, and it costs Americans more than $8 billion every year. This statistic is the reason why it's important to make sure your key is always in a safe place. It's also an excellent idea to purchase high-quality locks and keep spare keys hidden from view.
If you're unsure 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 further advice about protecting your vehicle. They can also give you a crime number that is needed to make a claim with an insurance company.
The next step is to determine whether it's worth submitting a car insurance claim for lost keys. The decision will be based on what type of key you own and the amount it will cost to replace it. For instance, some modern cars come with electronic key fobs or smart keys that are more expensive to replace than traditional turn-key ignitions.
The majority of auto insurance companies will pay to dispatch an expert locksmith to help access your vehicle when you've been locked out. However, they won't pay for the cost of creating a new key for you, so you will have to pay out-of-pocket for that. Remember that your insurance premiums may increase if you file claims. It is recommended to consider the advantages and disadvantages of filing a claim prior to making the decision.
If your car has an upgraded key that needs to be re-sequenced with the car's computer or re-paired with the barrels, you'll need to visit your auto dealership to get this done. Depending on the policy you have and the dealer of your car, this could cost hundreds of dollars. If you lose a highly-enhanced key it could be worth the effort to file a claim, but only in the event that you have full coverage in your policy. Otherwise it's not worth the extra work and risk of your insurance premiums rising. Contact an independent agent to discuss the possibility of adding complete coverage to your car insurance.
Call the Police
In the past the loss of your car key wasn't a big problem. You could simply call locksmiths and have a new key made right on the moment. Some cars today, however, have more sophisticated ignition systems, and it could be costly to replace keys that have been stolen or lost. There are two kinds of ignitions and keys that are available today: standard turn-key ignitions and electronic keys fobs, sometimes referred to as smart keys.
It's a good idea to know that most insurance companies will pay for the cost of replacing stolen or lost keys to cars. This is true regardless of whether they're fob keys or a standard key. It is important to inform your insurance company as soon as you can, so they can start looking for your keys as well so that you can get a new set without having to pay out from your pockets.
It is important to inform the police immediately if your car is located in a public area in the event that you lose your keys. They could then stop others from driving your car and could even catch them in action. If someone else uses your vehicle and is later questioned by the police, then they could be fined, or even detained.
Inform your dealer of you've lost keys. Many dealers have access replacement keys for all models of cars and can usually help you out fast. They can also rekey your lock and give you the new key that will disable the previous one, meaning that it won't work anymore.
If your car keys are stolen, it's possible that the thieves also taken your purse or wallet. If this is the scenario, it's a great idea to reach out to your bank and credit card to find out if they've had any suspicious activities on their records.
There are also several apps for smartphones that can be used to track your keys that are lost or stolen. For example, Tile and AirTag are well-known options that attach to your keys and use GPS technology to find them. They can also be rung to sound your car keys in the vicinity or to see their last known location on a map.
Call for a locksmith
The loss of your keys to your car can be a nightmare. The loss of your car keys can make it difficult to get to work or to school. Fortunately, if your car keys are lost, there are things you can do to stop the worst from happening.
Contacting the police is the first step. This will help prevent thieves from taking your car, or using it to enter your home. This will help you find the person who has stolen your car keys.
Next, you should call an locksmith. A locksmith will be able to replace your lost car keys. They will need to verify that you are the owner of the vehicle before they can make a new key so it is crucial to have your identification and registration in hand. The locksmith will need to be aware of the VIN and name of the vehicle.
In the end, you should contact your insurance company. A lot of auto insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a lost car key, so it's worth checking the policy of your insurance company prior to making this call.
Getting your car keys stolen is not fun however, if you follow these guidelines you can limit the damage and avoid a lot of headaches. Just 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 do more harm than good.
If you have a traditional key, the majority of locksmiths can make a replacement for you immediately. If you have a new key fob, like an electronic one it could take a bit longer. You'll have to visit the dealer. Bring proof of ownership, such as your registration or title, in the event that it is. This will accelerate the process significantly. Locksmiths will probably cost less than a dealership. It's better to be safe rather than regretting.
Contact Your Car Dealer
Car keys are an essential click here piece of equipment for your vehicle. Without them, your car won't start. It is not uncommon for thieves to steal your keys in order to get into your vehicle. There are ways to prevent this.
Report the theft immediately to the police. This will allow police to find the perpetrator, and you will receive the crime reference number that you can use in the future. You should also call your dealership, a locksmith or another mechanic to have your keys replaced.
If you have a key fob that connects to your car's computer and you want to take it to the dealership to have it removed. If you have lost your keys in public like a parking lot, or in a store, this will prevent your car from being stolen since the burglar won't have a functioning key to enter your vehicle.
Depending on the model and manufacturer of your car, some dealerships will replace lost keys. Dealers can take away your old keys and pair the new key to the vehicle. This process is more complicated than just having a professional locksmith make you a replacement key, so it's best to visit the dealer to get this service.
The cost of replacing the keys to your car will differ however you should be able to get some assistance from your insurance company in the event that the loss is reported as soon as possible. Additionally, some property insurance policies that include personal possessions insurance may be capable of covering the cost of a brand new set of keys as well.