If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
It can be stressful when you lose your car keys. Take an exhale before you panic, and go about your day to check if you can locate them. They may be in your purse, or inside a bag you removed from your car.
Most importantly, contact your insurance company. If you report the loss of your car keys immediately they could cover the cost.
Call Your Insurance Company
The most common cause of car thefts is leaving keys in the vehicle. According to statistics that show that a car is taken every 32 seconds, costing Americans more than $8 billion every year. This is the reason why it's important to ensure that your key is always in a safe location. It's a good idea also to invest in high-quality locks and hide spare keys.
Contact the police if are unsure where your keys are. They can look over their records and offer advice on how to protect your vehicle. Additionally, they will be able to provide you with a crime reference number that is required to file claims with your insurance company.
The next step is to decide whether it's worth submitting a car insurance claim for keys that have been lost. The decision will largely depend on the kind of key you have and how much it will cost to replace it. For instance, a few modern vehicles have electronic key fobs or smart keys which are more expensive to replace than traditional turn-key ignitions.
The majority of auto insurance companies will pay for a locksmith to come to your vehicle if you've been locked out. However, they will not pay for the cost of creating an entirely new key for you, meaning you'll have to pay for it out of pocket. It is important to keep in mind that your premiums could go up when you file an insurance claim, so it's worth weighing the advantages and disadvantages before doing this.
If your car has an upgraded key that requires to be re-sequenced with the computer of the car or re-paired to the barrels, you'll have to visit your auto dealership to get this done. Depending on the policy you have and the dealer of your car the process could cost you hundreds of dollars. If you lose a highly-enhanced car key and you are unable to replace it, it might 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 extra work. Contact an independent agent to discuss the possibility of adding the full coverage of your auto insurance.
Contact the police
In the past the loss of your car keys was not a big deal. You could contact locksmiths and have a new key made right on the moment. Some automobiles of today have much more advanced ignition systems, and it can be costly to replace lost or stolen keys. There are two primary kinds of auto ignitions and keys on the market today: electronic key fobs (sometimes called smart keys) and turn-key standard ignitions.
It's a good idea to know that the majority of insurance companies will cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen keys to cars. This is true whether they are a fob key or a standard one. The most important thing to do is report the incident to your insurance company as soon as you can so that they can start looking for your keys, and so that you can receive a replacement set without having to pay out from your the pocket.
It is important to inform the police immediately if you're driving is stationed in a public space when you have lost your keys. This way, they will help to deter others from driving the vehicle and may be likely to catch them in the act. Additionally, if someone is trying to use your car but gets caught by the police, they could be fined or even arrested.
It is also advisable to contact your car dealer and inform them that you've lost keys. Dealers can usually help you immediately if they have keys that are compatible with your model. They can also change the lock's key website and give you the new key that will disable the old one, so that it can't be used anymore.
If your car keys are stolen, it's possible that the thieves have also taken your purse or wallet. If this is the situation, you should contact your bank and credit card to see if there are any suspicious transactions on their records.
You can also use a smartphone app to locate your keys in case they are stolen or lost. Tile and AirTag for instance, are popular choices that connect to your keys with GPS technology. They can also be rung to sound your car keys in the vicinity or to view their last known location on the map.
Call a Locksmith
The loss of your car keys could be a major nightmare. It's hard enough to go to work or school without a vehicle, but when you lose your keys it can make things incredibly difficult. Fortunately, if your vehicle keys get stolen, there are a few steps you can take to avoid the worst from happening.
The first thing you must do is contact the police. This will stop thieves from stealing your car or using your vehicle to gain entry into your home. This will help you find the person who has stolen your keys to your car.
The next step is to call the locksmith. Locksmiths can replace your vehicle's key. They will need to confirm 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.
It is also advisable to contact your insurance provider. Review your policy to see if it covers the cost of replacing lost keys.
Car keys stolen is never fun however, if you follow these steps, you can minimize the damage and avoid many headaches. Remember to be patient and look for the keys before you give up! If your car keys get locked inside the ignition, do not try to take them off yourself. This 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 modern technology, the process might take longer and will require a visit to the dealership. If that's the case be sure to bring proof that you're the owner of your vehicle, such as a copy of your registration or title. This will make the process easier. You'll also likely pay less to locksmiths than at a dealership. It's always better to be secure than to be sorry!
Contact Your Car Dealer
Car keys are an essential piece of equipment for your car. Without them, your car won't start. It is not uncommon for thieves to steal your keys to gain entry 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 receive a crime reference code that you can use in the future. You should also call your dealership, a locksmith, or a different mechanic to have your keys replaced.
If you have a key fob that connects to the computer in your car it is possible to take it to the dealership to be removed. If you've lost your keys in a public area like a parking garage or in a shop it will help ensure that your car won't be taken away because the thief won't have a functioning key to access it.
Some car dealerships offer services to replace lost keys, depending on the manufacturer and model of your vehicle. The dealers will be able to delete your existing keys and then pair the new key to the vehicle. This is more complex than hiring a professional locksmith to make you a replacement key, so it is recommended to contact the dealer for this service.
If you notify the loss as soon as you can the insurance company might be able to help. Additionally, certain insurance policies on property that offer personal possessions coverage may be able to cover the cost of a new set of keys, too.