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 go through your day to determine whether they're in a safe place such as in your pocket or inside a bag you took out of the car.
The most important thing is to contact your insurance company. If you notify your insurance company of the loss of your car keys immediately, they may be able to cover the cost.
Call Your Insurance Company
One of the most frequent reasons for car theft is putting keys in the vehicle. Statistics show that a car is stolen every 32 seconds and costs Americans $8 billion per year. This is why it's important to keep your keys in a safe location. It's also recommended to invest in locks of high-quality and keep spare keys hidden from view.
Contact the police if are unsure where your keys are. They can look over their records and offer tips on how to safeguard your vehicle. In addition, they will be able to provide you with a crime reference number which is needed to file claims with your insurance company.
Then, consider whether it's worth making a claim with your car insurance in case you lose keys. The decision will be based on the type of key you own and the amount it will cost to replace it. For instance, a few modern vehicles have 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 for an expert locksmith to help gain entry into your vehicle if it's been locked out. They will not cover 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 file claims. It is recommended to weigh the benefits and disadvantages of filing a claim before making the decision.
If your car is equipped with an enhanced key that needs to be re-sequenced with the computer of the car or re-paired to the barrels, you'll need to visit your auto dealership to do this. Based on your policy and the car dealer it could cost hundreds of dollars. If you lose your enhanced key, you may want to make a claim if the policy provides comprehensive coverage. It's not worth it to risk your premiums increasing and do the extra work. Contact an independent agent to discuss the possibility of adding comprehensive coverage to your auto insurance.
Contact the police
Not too long ago, losing your car keys was not a big deal. You could simply call locksmiths and have a replacement key made right on the moment. It is expensive to replace keys stolen or lost in some automobiles due to more advanced ignitions. There are two types of auto keys and ignitions on the market today electronic key fobs (sometimes called smart keys) and standard turn-key ignitions.
The good news is that the majority of insurance companies will pay for the cost of replacing a stolen or lost set of keys for cars regardless of whether it's a fob or standard key. The important thing is to notify your insurance company as soon as you can so that they can begin looking for your keys, and to ensure that you receive a replacement set without having to pay out of the pocket.
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. This way, they will assist in preventing others from driving the vehicle and could be likely to catch them in the act. If you allow someone else to use your car and is later questioned by the police, then they could be fined, or even arrested.
Inform your dealer about you've lost keys. The majority of dealers have access to replacement keys for most types of vehicles, and they can often help you out fast. They can also reset your lock and provide you a new key that disables the previous one, meaning that it can't be used for any longer.
If your car keys have been stolen, it's possible that the thieves also stolen your wallet or purse. If this is the situation you need to contact your bank and credit card to see if there are any 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 attach to your keys using GPS technology. You can also call them to hear your car keys nearby or see their last known position on the map.
Call a locksmith
The loss of your car keys could be a major nightmare. It's hard enough to go to school or work without a vehicle and when you lose your keys, it can make things incredibly difficult. If your car keys have been stolen, you can take some steps to avoid the most traumatic scenario.
The first thing you must do is contact the police. This will prevent thieves from taking your car keys or using your car to break into your house. This will help you find the person who has stolen your car keys.
Next, you should call an locksmith. A locksmith can replace your lost car key. Before they can make a key, they'll need to verify your ownership of the vehicle. Therefore, it is essential to bring along your ID and registration. The locksmith will also need to know the name of the vehicle and VIN.
It is check here also advisable to contact your insurance company. Many auto insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a lost car key and it's a good idea to check the policy of your insurance company prior to making this call.
The theft of your car keys is not fun however, if you follow these guidelines you can limit the damage and avoid a lot of headaches. Remember to be patient and look for the keys before you give up! And if your car keys become stuck in the ignition, don't attempt to get them out yourself. This could do more harm than good.
Most locksmiths can make you new keys in the event that you have an old-fashioned key. If you have a modern key fob, such as an electric one it might take a bit longer. You'll need to visit the dealership. If that's the case, ensure that you bring proof that you're the owner of the vehicle and have a copy of your registration or title. This will speed up the process considerably. A locksmith is likely to charge you less than a dealership. It's better to be secure rather than sorry.
Call Your Car Dealer
Car keys are an essential piece of equipment for your vehicle. Your car will not start without keys. It's not uncommon to have thieves to steal your keys in order to gain entry into your vehicle. There are ways to stop this.
Report the theft immediately to police. This will help police track the perpetrator and provide you an identification number for use in the future. You can also call the locksmith or any other mechanic for a replacement key.
You may need to take a key fob to the dealership to be deactivated when it is connected to the car's computer. If you've lost your keys in a public area such as a parking lot or a store it will help ensure that your car won't be taken away because the thief has no functioning key to use to get inside.
Some car dealerships provide services to replace your lost keys, depending on the model and manufacturer of your vehicle. Dealers can remove the keys you have previously used and then connect the new key to the vehicle. This process is more complicated than having a professional locksmith create you a new key, which is why it's recommended to visit the dealer for this service.
The cost of replacing your car keys can vary however you will likely receive some assistance from your insurance company when the loss is reported to them in the earliest time possible. Additionally, some property insurance policies that include personal possessions coverage might be capable of covering the cost of a new set of keys, too.