Car Stolen Without Key - What to Do
A local resident had his Toyota RAV4 stolen and vandalized not just once, but twice last year, he began looking into the crime on the internet. He found that thieves could duplicate the signal from key fobs and steal cars without touching them.
Crooks use relay amplifiers to record the signal. They operate in pairs and can steal a car in as little as 60 minutes.
What happens if i lose my keys?
It's a pain to lose your keys. It can be a challenge to find them, and it can also put your home or office in danger. It doesn't matter whether you accidentally drop your items down the sink, or lose them in a subway vehicle. You must be aware of the best ways to do with them to ensure that they don't get into the wrong hands.
If you lose your keys, the first thing you need to do is contact your insurance company and police. Many people are surprised to find that their insurance covers the cost of a locksmith in the event that they're lost or stolen. It's crucial to make this happen as soon as possible because if you don't, someone else could use your keys to gain access to your home or vehicle.
After contacting the police and your insurance agent The next step is to get in touch with a locksmith. A locksmith professional can unlock your lock quickly, easily and without damaging your property. This could save you lots of time and money, especially when you're in a hurry. The locksmith must make use of their tools to open the locks and then make an impression on the internal components. The lock is then taken to a second shop and a duplicate will be made. This process is usually simple and shouldn't cost more than $30 if you have more than one lock.
If you have a Smart key, you might need to contact your dealer or an automotive locksmith to get it changed. You need proof of ownership to get a replacement for the car key. In this instance you might require a license and vehicle identification number on hand.
If you have an extra key, you can give it to a family member so that they can allow you access if they lose yours. You can also have your locksmith cut you new keys which you can store in a safe place, like the garage or office. This will prevent you from losing your keys in the future, and keep them safer from thieves who are more likely to seek keys in obvious locations like under a planter or inside the mailbox.
What do you have to do?
It's important to take action quickly if your car is stolen and you don't have a key. Contact the police immediately and get a copy of their report to record the incident. Inform your department of motor vehicles if you haven't done so already. Your vehicle will be added to the database of stolen vehicles in the state, making it more difficult for anyone to claim your vehicle as theirs.
If you are able, install an instrument for tracking installed in your car. These devices, like AirTags from Apple send signals to your iPhone whenever they are near an Apple product (such as your car). This allows you to view the location of your vehicle in real-time via your phone's app. There are cheaper tracking systems from companies such as Ring, Blink, and Nest that might be worth a look.
Another thing to consider is buying a new set of keys. Based on the model of your vehicle you might need to have the barrels or chips changed. This will block previous owners accessing the vehicle. This could be costly and you may need to get a backup set of keys. Review your auto insurance policy to determine if you have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage usually will cover more than collisions and liability.
The best way to avoid a situation such as this is to ensure that you do not leave valuables in your car and to keep your spare keys away from your house. Also engraving the last seven numbers of your VIN on your headlights, windows and mirrors can help keep thieves from trying to alter the read more identity of your car. If you live in an area with a high rate of crime area, inquire with nearby businesses if they have surveillance cameras that might have captured the theft. If you're able to recover your stolen car and you are able to do so, you should contact your local locksmith for guidance on the best method to store your spare keys and lock up your vehicle.
How do you report a car that was stolen?
The first thing you need to do when you realize that your vehicle was taken is to call the local police station and notify them of the incident. You'll learn what forms and procedures you need to follow, depending on the local laws. You'll be given an incident number, which you can give to your insurance company for claims.
If you contact the police, be sure to have all the information about your vehicle on hand including the VIN, license plate, description of the car and any receipts for upgrades or service. You might be asked to provide your copyright or auto insurance card as proof that you are the owner registered to own the vehicle. Many companies will allow you to access the details of your policy online if you don't have them handy.
It is essential to report your car as stolen. This increases the chance of it being recovered. Reporting it immediately allows police to gather potential evidence (such a security footage or witness statement) sooner than later.
Another benefit of identifying the theft right away is that it helps prevent the criminal from fraudulously transferring ownership or registering your vehicle under their name. Contact the department of motor vehicles in your state, and provide proof of your address and identity.
If your car is found and damaged in the process of recovering the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance should cover the damages less the deductible. It is essential to inform your insurance company of the theft as soon as you can.
You should also notify the lender if you've financed or leased your vehicle. They are considered lienholders and have an interest in the vehicle. This is why they must be informed of any losses. Failure to notify them could result in legal action or financial penalties.
How do you get your car back?
If a vehicle is stolen without keys, the most important thing is to report it to police as soon as you can. This will enable them to locate the vehicle and catch the culprits. The information about your vehicle in national and state databases makes it more difficult for thieves to sell the vehicle.
It's a good idea, after you've filed your police report, to inform your insurance company. If you have comprehensive coverage you can file an insurance claim on your behalf to get compensated for the loss of the vehicle or to cover any damage that might have occurred while it was in the theft victim's possession.
It is also important to inform your lender or leasing company that the vehicle was stolen. This will allow them to contact your insurance company to find out the details and whether they have the right to stop any payments or repossess the vehicle if it's not returned.
If you have a smart-key, or a newer model that has an electronic key fob, then your best bet is to visit the dealership for the specific model of your car and have it replaced electronically. It could cost a couple hundred dollars, but it is less expensive than replacing the ignition and locks with a standard key.
You'll need to take the older models that have standard keys to an automotive locksmith, and then have the keys and the barrels (the part that is inside the lock) replaced. This can be costly however it will guarantee that anyone who gets keys that are old won't be capable of using them to steal your car.
It's also a good idea to keep the interior of your car clean and free of any valuable items that might be targeted by thieves. You might want to store your sat-nav or mobile in the trunk of your car or in a compartment hidden under the floor mats. You should also avoid putting valuables in the glove compartment, because this could be tempting for thieves to open.