If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
When you lose your keys, it could be an extremely stressful experience. Take an exhale before you panic and go about your day to check if you can locate them. They may be in your pocket, or inside a bag you removed from your car.
First and foremost, you should contact your insurance company. If you notify your insurance company of the loss of your car keys quickly they might be able to be able to cover the cost.
Call Your Insurance Company
The most common cause of car thefts is leaving keys inside the vehicle. Statistics show that a car is stolen every 32 seconds, costing Americans $8 billion a year. This figure shows the importance of keep your keys in a safe location. It's also recommended to invest in locks of high-quality and store spare keys in a safe place.
Contact the police if you don't know where your keys are. The officers will be able to check their records and offer further information on protecting your vehicle. They will also be able give you a crime number that is needed to make a claim with an insurance company.
Then, consider if it's worth submitting a claim with your car insurance in case you lose keys. The decision will depend on the type of key you own and how much it would cost to replace it. For example, some modern cars come with electronic key fobs or smart keys that are more expensive to replace than traditional turn-key ignitions.
Most auto insurance companies will pay for a locksmith to come to your vehicle if you've been locked out. They won't pay for the cost of making you a new car key, so you will need to cover the cost yourself. Be aware that your insurance premiums could increase if you make an application. It's best to consider the pros and cons of filing a claim prior making an informed decision.
You'll need to visit your local auto dealer to have the upgraded key re-paired or transferred to the car's computer. Based on your policy and the dealer of your car the process could cost you hundreds of dollars. If you lose an enhanced key, you may need to make a claim if the policy includes comprehensive coverage. Otherwise, it's not worth the extra effort and the risk of your insurance premiums rising. If you don't have comprehensive coverage, contact an independent insurance agent to discuss adding it to your vehicle insurance.
Contact the police
In the past the time of losing your car keys was not a huge issue. You could simply call locksmiths and have a replacement key made on the moment. Some automobiles today have much more advanced ignition systems, and it can be quite expensive to replace your keys that are stolen or lost. There are two main kinds of auto keys and ignitions available on the market today: electronic key fobs (sometimes called smart keys) and standard turn-key ignitions.
The good news is that a majority of insurance companies will cover the cost of replacing a lost or stolen set of car keys regardless of whether it's a fob or a standard key. The important thing is to report the incident to your insurance company as quickly as possible so that they can begin looking for your keys and also to get a new set without having to pay out from your pocket.
If your car is on public property and you lose your keys, it is crucial to let the police know right away. This will deter other motorists from using your vehicle and could even catch them in action. Additionally, if someone attempts to use your car but is spotted by the police, they could be fined or even detained.
Tell your car dealer that you've lost keys. Dealers will usually assist you quickly if they have replacement keys for your vehicle model. They can also rekey your lock and provide you with a key that disables the old one so that it won't work anymore.
If your car keys have been stolen, it's possible that the thieves also stolen your wallet or purse. If this is the case, you should contact your bank and credit card to see if there are any suspicious transactions in their records.
There are a number of smartphone apps that allow you to track your lost or stolen keys. For instance, Tile and AirTag are popular choices that attach to your keys and utilize GPS technology to locate them. They can also be rung to alert your car keys in the vicinity or to view their last known location on maps.
Call a Locksmith
Losing your keys to your car can be a nightmare. It's hard enough to go to school or work without a vehicle however, if you lose your keys it can make things incredibly difficult. If your car keys get stolen, there are a few ways to avoid the worst from occurring.
The police should be your first step. This will stop thieves from stealing or using your car to gain entry into your home. This will help you find the person who took your keys to your car.
The next step is to contact an locksmith. A locksmith can replace your lost car key. Before they can make keys, they'll have to confirm your ownership of the vehicle. Therefore, it is essential to bring along your identification and registration. The locksmith must know both the VIN and name of the vehicle.
In the end, you should contact your insurance company. Check your policy to see if it covers the cost of replacing keys lost.
Car keys stolen is never fun, but if you follow these steps 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, don't attempt to remove them. This could cause more harm than good.
The majority of locksmiths can create new keys if you have an old-fashioned key. If you have a modern key fob, for instance one that is electronic, it may take a little longer. You'll need to visit the dealer. If that's the case ensure that you bring proof that you are the owner of your vehicle, such as the original registration or title. This will accelerate the process significantly. It's also likely that you'll pay less for a locksmith than you would at the dealership. It's better to be cautious rather than sorry.
Contact Your Car Dealer
Car keys are a vital piece of equipment for your vehicle. Without keys, your car will not start. However, it isn't unusual for thieves to steal your keys as a way of getting into your car. There are ways to prevent this.
Report the theft immediately to police. This will help police track down the thief and you will be issued an identification code for crime which you can use in the future. You can also call a locksmith or another mechanic for a replacement key.
If you have the key fob which connects to the computer in your car it is possible to take it to the dealership to be deactivated. If you have lost your keys in public, such as a parking garage, or in a store, this will prevent your car from being stolen, because here the burglar has no working key to gain access to your car.
Based on the model and manufacturer of your vehicle, certain dealerships will replace lost keys. Dealers can take away your old keys and connect the new key to the vehicle. This process is more complicated than simply having a professional locksmith make you a new key, which is why it's recommended to visit the dealer for this service.
If you report the loss as soon as you can, your insurance company may be able to help. Some property insurance policies, which include personal possessions coverage, may also provide keys that are new.